Joe Nichols Returns With ‘Freaks Like Me’
With a catalog of hits under his belt dating all the way back to the early 2000’s, Joe Nichols has proved time and time again that he is one of country music’s most reliable hit makers. This remains true with the release of Nichols’ new single, “Freaks Like Me,” on RED BOW Records.
Written by Monty Criswell, Josh Thompson and Lynn Hutton, “Freaks Like Me” is about being yourself and standing up for what you believe in, and never apologizing for doing so.
“I always get the door for a lady / I don’t care if she’s four or if she’s 80 / I don’t need a Jag, I got a tractor / I won’t apologize for things that matter,” Nichols sings in the opening line.
“I fell in love with the song the first time I heard it,” the 38-year-old tells CountryMusicIsLove. “I thought it was very well written. It said a lot of what I would love to say today. I love everything about it…I love the message of the song, I love that it’s got a lot of energy. It’s not preachy, but it gets the point across.”
Nichols admits “the term freak can describe a lot of different people,” but he is proud to be one.
“I’m proud that the message is stern and very clear, ‘hey I’m an old school guy, I like old school stuff and I know that I’m not cool, as cool as old school people use to be, but that’s who I am and if I’m a little bit of a freak, I’m alright with that.'”
“Freaks Like Me” is the lead single from Nichols’ upcoming new album. As with his previous records, the Arkansas native is staying true to who he is as an artist, so fans can definitely expect to hear a more traditional sound throughout the record.
“We got some country songs on this thing and we’ve got some that are a little bit more progressive that are like that ‘Sunny and 75’ kinda feeling,” he tells us about his forthcoming Mickey Jack Cones-produced album. “I think that’s alright too, it’s okay to have those on a record as long as you can stay true to yourself.”
Fun fact: Justin Moore actually had the song “Freaks Like Me” on hold before Nichols cut it. Moore released it to Nichols and said ‘Have it, cut it, tear it up Joe!'” Nichols later thanked him for gesture.
Listen to “Freaks Like Me” below.
