Chris Young Tributes Lost Loved Ones in ‘Drowning’ Video

He makes his directorial debut with a true tear-jerker.

Written by Chris Parton
Chris Young Tributes Lost Loved Ones in ‘Drowning’ Video
Chris Young; Photo credit: Matthew Berinato

Chris Young makes a tear jerking directorial debut in the music video for his new single “Drowning,” asking fans to become part of the story.

Filmed alongside co-director Jeff Johnson, the moving clip features two distinct parts. The first is a performance at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena — where fans raised their phones to the sky in tribute to the victims and survivors of the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Festival. And the second is a series of shots of concertgoers at the Raised On Country World Tour 2019 in Richmond, Virginia, with each holding a photo of someone they’ve lost.

Written by Young with Corey Crowder and Josh Hoge, that’s what the deeply personal ballad is all about — and that’s how the video starts, with Young holding up a photo of his late friend, Adam Carnes.

“I’ve been so amazed at the reaction to this song,” Young says. “I wrote it with two friends as a moment of healing and had no idea it would touch so many people before it was even chosen as a single. The video, combining so many personal moments alongside a live performance, totally embodies that and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”

“I gotta say, missing you come in waves / and tonight I’m drowning,” goes the lump-in-your-throat chorus.

“Drowning” is now officially spinning at country radio, the third taste of Young’s upcoming studio album. He’ll continue headlining his Raised On Country Tour alongside Chris Janson and Locash through November 23 in Lexington, Kentucky.