Tom O’Connor, “Deserve”
Combs wrote this song with O’Connor and Ray Fulcher, and was featured as a vocalist on the track as well. “Deserve” was included on O’Connor’s 2017 EP Bad For You.
Since his debut single “Hurricane” ripped its way through to the pinnacle of the Country Airplay chart in 2017, entrenching itself there for two weeks, Luke Combs has proved his gale force strength as an artist.
He’s earned 17 No. 1 Country Airplay hits in seven years, including “One Number Away,” “Forever After All,” and “Love You Anyway.” In 2018, Combs was named the CMA’s new artist of the year — just three years later, he took home the first of two CMA entertainer of the year wins. He’s also been named the CMA’s male vocalist of the year twice and earned the coveted album of the year honor twice — for What You See Is What You Get, and most recently for his album Growin’ Up.
In 2023, his version of Tracy Chapman’s 1988 hit “Fast Car” became a crossover smash, propelled by fan demand, and reaching No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. His rendition of the song is nominated for a Grammy at Sunday’s (Feb. 4) ceremony, competing in the best country solo performance category.
His 44-show 2023 tour not only included U.S. shows, but Combs and his team also played 23 sold-out concerts, largely in arenas, in Australia, New Zealand and in a dozen European countries. In the process, Combs has helped strengthen country music’s overall global presence.
Even with the awards, radio hits and sold-out concerts, Combs has always been a songwriter at heart—something he’s proven with his work as a co-writer on nearly all of his No. 1 hits. His prolific songwriting has benefited other artists as well.
Here, we take a look at five songs that Combs co-wrote which were recorded by other artists—including a No. 1 Country Airplay hit for Carly Pearce and Lee Brice.
Combs wrote this song with O’Connor and Ray Fulcher, and was featured as a vocalist on the track as well. “Deserve” was included on O’Connor’s 2017 EP Bad For You.
This song was included on group Flatland Cavalry’s 2021 Welcome to Countryland album. Combs wrote “A Cowboy Knows How” with Dan Isbell and Jonathan Singleton.
This song is featured on Barrett’s sophomore album Chapter & Verse, which released Friday (Feb. 2). Combs wrote the track with Emily Weisband and James McNair. Combs sent the song to Barrett, and also lends his background vocals on the track.
This song from the group’s 2021 album The Comeback was written by Combs, ZBB lead singer Zac Brown, Ben Simonetti and Jonathan Singleton. “Out in the Middle” reached No. 12 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2022, while Zac Brown Band also teamed up with fellow musician Marcus King to perform the song during the Country Music Association Awards in 2022.
In 2020, this Carly Pearce/Lee Brice duet reached the pinnacle of the Country Airplay chart, ultimately securing awards for both Pearce and Brice. At the 2021 Academy of Country Music Awards, “I Hope You’re Happy Now” won single of the year and music event of the year honors. Meanwhile, the song garnered the musical event of the year accolade at the 2020 Country Music Association Awards, and was nominated for song of the year during the same awards show.
Combs wrote “I Hope You’re Happy Now” with Pearce, Jonathan Singleton and Randy Montana.