Dan + Shay Talk Hit Making in Quarantine and Famous Friends

Find out how the duo wrote their latest Number One -- and some other things you never knew.

Written by Chris Parton
Dan + Shay Talk Hit Making in Quarantine and Famous Friends
CHRISTMAS IN ROCKEFELLER CENTER -- 2020 -- Pictured: (l-r) Dan + Shay, Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney -- (Photo by: Heidi Gutman/NBC)

Dan + Shay are on top of the country radio charts once again with “I Should Probably Go to Bed,” and that’s a feeling the duo of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney will never get tired of.

Speaking on Coop’s Rockin’ Country for RADIO.com, the hit making country stars got comfortable and opened up about creating their latest hit (and more) — even admitting that the COVID-19 quarantine helped make their success happen.

Although the lockdowns and tour cancellations of 2020 were a difficult time, both singers said they ultimately found ways to stay positive. After the first few weeks, in fact, they were ready to get back to making music — and “I Should Probably Go to Bed” was the result. The emotionally-charged ballad actually had it’s start at Grammy Awards ceremony the year before, but with nothing but time on their hands and no expectations for the first time in years, Dan + Shay were able to tap into something special for the future chart topper.

“It wasn’t until mid-quarantine that it just happened organically,” Smyers explained. “With all this extra time on our hands we could really try some things, you know, do some adventurous sounds, and really explore, and [quarantine was] really a blessing in disguise in that respect.”

The acclaimed duo went on to say fans can expect a new album soon, but cautioned that there were no firm details to share just yet. Instead, they opened up about some more pressing matters — fun things like the most famous contact in their phone. How about Miami Heat all-star Jimmy Butler? Is that famous enough? Or pop superstar Ed Sheeran? Although Sheeran might not really count, since he doesn’t have a phone for the guys to call (Sheeran only uses email).

Listen in to hear more of the Dan + Shay interview for RADIO.com, including what it’s like to go from the deafening roar of a concert audience to the maddening silence of the tour bus, which hair styles they most regret, and more.