Cole Swindell’s second album You Should Be Here was released last week, but those who still only view the Georgia native as the bro-country good-timer behind “Chillin’ It” and “Let Me See Ya Girl” are in for a surprise. Along with the moving (and deeply personal) title track, Swindell has made a big effort toward recording serious songs with significant messages on the new album — including its final cut, “Remember Boys.”
Written by Andrew Dorff and Old Dominion’s Brad Tursi, the song finds Swindell in the role of a teacher, cautioning other guys about how easy it is to become the forgettable loser in their own love story. Through sullen tones and a conversational approach, the gentlemanly tune is a reminder to think of her first: always hold the door, always have a lighter in case she wants to smoke, never let her fall asleep crying and give her dreams hope.
A new video for the song is out now, with Swindell pacing the grounds of an abandoned factory and pointing at the camera. It’s a warning to viewers that if they’re not careful (or if they read too much into the machismo style of modern country), they too could end up forgotten and unloved.
