Chayce Beckham Embraces His Softer Side for ‘Can’t Do Without Me’
The 'American Idol' champ opens up about his new single with Lindsay Ell.
Chayce Beckham saw one of his dreams come true in May of 2021, when the big-voiced California native won Season 19 of American Idol. But more than a year, the country newcomer says he’s woken up a little bit.
“I think the biggest surprise would be getting out here and realizing you’ve gotta work about 10 times as hard as you did on that TV show — which is pretty damn hard,” Beckham says, laughing and chatting with Sounds Like Nashville during February’s 2022 Country Radio Seminar. “Everyone wants to get into music because it’s what they love to do, but you don’t realize all the business there is to it.”
According to him, part of that business has been learning to embrace his softer side, so for his new single “Can’t Do Without Me,” Beckham found himself a mentor.
Teaming up with the multi-talented songstress, Lindsay Ell, Beckham tempers his gritty, jagged edges with romance, striking the perfect balance of strength and vulnerability. The track was written by Trannie Anderson, Michael Carter and Jordan Walker, and with its driving beat, lusty lyrics and hot-blooded vocals — set to boil when the Beckham and Ell harmonize for the chorus — the steamy standout is something every fan can relate to.
“This song is about two people who just cant wait to get back together, because they’re stuck in their 9 to 5,” Beckham says. “It’s like ‘I cannot wait for this day to be over so I can get back to being with that person I want to be with.’ I think we all know that feeling, rushing home from work to see that person – even if it’s your frickin’ dog or Xbox!”
Although the track is a change up from Beckham’s first release — the confessional, soul-baring “23” — Beckham says “Can’t Do Without Me” is just one side of the artist he’s becoming. At this early stage in his career, the young singer-songwriter wants to show his natural grit comes with a heart of gold, and he credits Ell with helping him bring it out.
“She’s phenomenal. Then you get into a room with her playing guitar, and she’s a very talented individual,” he says, understating his admiration. “It was like ‘How can we make a statement, like hey this is where I’m at? Here’s me and Lindsay, we’re gonna do our thing.'”
The track is out at country radio now, which is a big part of making his “business” run smoothly. But at least one person thinks Beckham’s already a success.
“The first time I heard ‘Can’t Do Without Me,’ I was in the car with my mom, and me and her have been through it,” he says proudly. “She believed in me since I was a little boy, so to watch that happening is a special thing. That made me cry, it was so emotional just being in the car, and knowing that I didn’t let her down.”
Beckham has plans to keep making mom proud in the future … and hopefully keep impressing fans, too. Stay tuned for more news from the newcomer in the near future.
