Lainey Wilson Says She “Finally Found a Man Worth Writing About,” Reveals Inspiration Behind New Single

No one can stop Lainey Wilson these days. (Although who would want to?) In 2024 alone, the “Watermelon Moonshine” singer has scored her first GRAMMY, become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and was named Entertainer of the Year by both the ACM and CMA. Now Wilson is on a new musical journey with her fifth studio album Whirlwind, due Aug. 23. And if fans notice an uptick of love songs, that’s no coincidence. The “Heart Like a Truck” singer recently opened up about the inspiration for her latest single, “4x4xU.”

“4X4XU” Is About Duck Hodges

Lainey Wilson’s free-spirited brand of country cool has struck a chord with listeners. The reason? She writes what she knows—which is why the “Hang Tight Honey” singer says she never wrote love songs until recently.

The Louisiana native made her red carpet debut with boyfriend Devlin “Duck” Hodges at the ACM Awards in May 2023. Later, she confirmed that she and the former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback had been in a relationship for more than two years before their public reveal.

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Now, Wilson says, the love songs are flowing—and it’s all thanks to Hodges. During a recent Nashville show, the “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” singer told the crowd that Hodges inspired her latest single, “4x4xU.”

“The truth is, I write what I know, and I finally found a man worth writing about,” Wilson said. “So you know it’s a love song because y’all probably thought, dang, she ain’t got it in her, she ain’t got it in her… but I do. I got me a cheerleader.” 

@nashville_stacy

4x4xU is about @Lainey Wilson’s cheerleader ♥️ #laineywilson #laineywilsonconcert #nashville #countryconcert

♬ original sound – Nashville Stacy

The lyrics to “4x4xU” speak of finding “home” in another person: Up in the mountains or down by the ocean / It’s all the same to me / Ain’t nowhere I’d rather be / Than in a 4×4 by you, babe.

[RELATED: Lainey Wilson Continues Her Story With New “4x4xU” Music Video]

More About Lainey Wilson’s Relationship With Duck Hodges

Lainey Wilson and Duck Hodges started dating in 2021 after meeting through.mutual friends in Nashville. Wilson recalled their first date in a June 2023 interview with People.

“We went to this old place called Silverados, and it had free beer and wine from 5 to 10 p.m.,” she said. “I was like, ‘This boy likes to ball on a budget too. This is gonna work out.’”

Three years later, Lainey Wilson finally knows what it’s like to write a love song.

Featured image by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for CMT