You wont hear a pop sequel to Maren Morris 2018 global smash The Middle on her upcoming album.
Despite the country singers penchant for crossover hits 2019s The Bones was a sleeper hit that peaked at No.
I feel very settled in my carved-out place [in] country music.
It was those who asked, Are you OK?
who impacted her the most.
Those three words are so powerful to a new mother, Morris says.
We wrote it from a standpoint of being like, This is not going to be gold forever.
Its going to fade at some point, and thats OK, she says.
On Wedding Playlists & Her First Kiss
What song played at your wedding?
off [her] second record,The Blade.
Its the most beautiful song.
Whats the cringiest wedding song youve ever heard?
I dont want to bash anybody.
I dont know if thats cringey, but it was a bummer.
You cant like these songs the same way anymore because [hes], like, such an asshole.
Do you have a favorite song youve written with your husband?
Like the day after we wrote it,Tim McGrawrecorded it and put it on his album.
It was before we got together, so its funny.
The songs sometimes know you better than you know yourself at the time.
Do you remember the first song you ever slow-danced to or made out to as a teen?
All My Life by K-Ci & JoJo was probably the first at a junior high dance.
I dont know if we made out to music.
I do remember my first kiss was so lame.
I mean, I was probably awful.
But it was in the movie theater watchingMy Big Fat Greek Wedding, so very sexy.
Can you pinpoint the first moment you felt like a real musician?
When I was 10, I would go sing at these chili cook-offs and festivals around Texas.
I would bring a boombox and a CD with karaoke tracks on it and sing from a truck bed.
But my dad bought me an acoustic guitar when I was 12 and taught me my first three chords.
I taught myself the rest and then started writing on guitar shortly after that.
So definitely picking up the guitar [was] when I felt like more than just a karaoke singer.
Shortly after that, I decided to save money to move to Nashville.
Out of your discography, is there a song you’re most proud of?
The one that chokes me up every time I play it is My Church.
It still hits the same way that it did when I first wrote it.
Whats your relationship with marijuana, and did it play a role in the making ofHumble Quest?
I cant write when Im high.
I wish I could.
Its just the way my brain works.
I internalize everything when Im stoned, and not in a fun way for writing.
But I definitely have a good relationship with marijuana.
Its definitely helpful to me with depression and anxiety.
I just use it to chill at the end of the day and go to sleep.
I cant go to parties [high] and socialize, but Im jealous of those who can.
If you could smoke a joint with any celebrity dead or alive, who would it be and why?
I went on this YouTube wormhole the other night for three hours watchingRobin Williamsclips.
Whats your go-to pick-me-upmusic for when youre feeling low?
Shes an incredible artist and singer, probably one of the best vocalists on this earth right now.
I get so inspired by a lot of women.
I feel like that brings me out of my days.Ruston Kellyis an amazing singer-songwriter.
You feel like youre listening to your best friend sing to you when you listen to his music.
Is there one musician in particular who you feel truly gets you?
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onFeb.
