With songs like “Small Town USA” and “We Didn’t Have Much,” Justin Moore has seen major success not only in the popular country wave, but the mainstream as well. He’s had 15 songs enter the Billboard Hot 100, and two go No. 1 on the country charts. He also tours across the country, performing in stadium arenas. He got his start in high school and later joined his uncle’s band.
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He released his first single as a solo artist, “I Could Kick Your Ass,” in 2008. From there, he’s released seven studio albums, including Stray Dogs in May of 2023. Moore is also a prolific composer of his own music but has had a hand in other artists’ projects as well. Here are 2 of his other credits that also deserve recognition.
1. “Hank Crackin’ People” by Josh Thompson (2014)
Composed by Kendell Marvel, Justin Moore, Phil O’Donnell, Josh Thompson
Josh Thompson and Moore are frequent collaborators. Not only did Thompson join Moore on his Off The Beaten Path Tour in 2013, along with Randy Houser, but the two frequently assist with each other’s recorded projects. Thompson has credits on Straight Outta The Country (2021), Kinda Don’t Care (2016), and “Robbin’ Trains.”
Moore returned the favor in 2014 during the production of Thompson’s album, Turn It Up. He helped compose the album closer, “Hank Crackin’ People,” alongside Thompson, Kendell Marvel, and Phil O’Donnell.
“Hank Crankin’ People,” a reference to rope pulling, is an ode to the working class lifestyle. It finds that way of life to be simpler, and its people more minimalist in return. They stick to their values and their routines.
We swing hammers, we climb ladders
We’re from where the good book, a good time
And a good long hard rain’s all that matters
Yeah, we’re small town, we’re big city uptown
It’s all red white and blue from Fifth Avenue out to the rural routes
We take our hats off when we face the flag Twist a cap off when we hear the Hag I’m right here with the hell raisin’ kind Cut from the same cloth as mine
I’m talking hard workin’, God fearin’, beer drinkin’ Hank crankin’ people
This song was also covered by Tyler Booth in 2017, where he takes a slower approach, complimenting his deep voice.
2. “Bad Intentions” by Sarah Miles (2014)
Written By Phil Bogard, Justin Moore, Dave Pittenger & Sarah Miles
Atlanta native Sarah Miles has been active in music since 2014. She was the recipient of the 2017 John Lennon Songwriting Award for her song “Stay,” was a contestant on The Voice, and had her music featured on Angie Tribeca, a TBS sitcom.
“Bad Intentions” comes from her album, One, released in 2014. Though evidently a pop endeavor, Miles’ Atlanta roots often come through in her vocal delivery, making for a wonderful mix between early 2000s pop, à la Kelly Clarkson and Hillary Duff, and country.
“Bad Intentions” is stuck between affection and frustration—where someone Miles admires is treating her poorly. They limit their relationship to one-night encounters, where they promptly leave Miles in the dust the next morning, yet she can’t help but remain in love.
It sucks waking up in the morning
Just in time to see you sneaking out the door I’m just another option, another story you can tell Is it sad that it makes me want you more?
I know you see exactly what it is you’re doing to me It ends the same way every time
I can’t believe I keep running back to you
You don’t even try to hide your bad intentions
Photo by Cody Villalobos/Courtesy of Shore Fire Media
