Larry Fleet smiling while wearing a hat
news

Exclusive: Larry Fleet Discusses New Unreleased Songs, ‘Baseball on the Radio’ and ‘Both Sides of the Fence’

September 18, 2024 4:35 pm GMT

x-logo
f-logo
email logo
link icon

Link copied

Content Sponsor

Larry Fleet recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of his third studio album, Earned It, which arrived in September and has spawned evocative, introspective highlights such as ‘Things I Take For Granted’, ‘Layaway’ and ‘Daddy Don't Drink’.

One of the most compelling aspects of Larry Fleet's music is the way in which he can transport you to a simpler, rose-tinted age through the wistfulness he often laces into his lyricism.

On this occasion, though, it seems the bearded singer-songwriter has his sights set firmly on the horizon, rather than on the rearview mirror - at least when it comes to releases. Larry has been taking the opportunity while out on the road in Europe to test new material, which we're hoping means another record might be on the way.

Larry Fleet sat down with Holler to delve into two eye-catching songs he performed at his London, UK show in early September, ‘Baseball on the Radio’ and ‘Both Sides of the Fence’.

The former finds the ‘Where I Find God’ crooner again flexing his songwriting muscles, as he intricately weaves together a sepia-tinged tale that pivots around the MLB commentary on his father's radio. Larry Fleet explains the childhood moments that inspired the track, “Growing up, my dad had a little truck and we used to ride around in the bed of it. I told them in London the other night, I think is against the law now...I'm not sure, who knows? But we used to ride in the back of the truck, especially whenever leaving football or baseball practice, you know, the kids are all sweaty and stuff. So we'd just ride in the back of the truck and dad would ride around and smoke cigarettes and listen to baseball on the radio”.

Larry underlines, “More or less it's a song about a little nostalgia, really. Just kind of going back in time and reliving a little bit, and it's actually one of my new favorite songs I've written in a while”.

As was evident during his performance at London's Scala venue, ‘Baseball on the Radio’ is already proving a hit with fans - which hopefully means it'll get an official release soon.

Larry Fleet muses, “It goes over really good in the United States, and went over pretty good in London”, before modestly joking, “I think they were being nice to me but people seem to like it”.

The second of the new songs that Larry Fleet treated his London crowd to, ‘Both Sides of the Fence’, finds the Tennessee artist performing a witty lyrical feint. He makes the listener think he's about to wade into the thorny issue of the 2024 US election, before transforming a source of division into one of Larry's trademark calls for grace and compassion. The ambience serves as an extension of the endearing, good-natured themes that pervade the likes of ‘Things I Take For Granted’ and ‘Muddy Water’, as Larry doubles down on his cri-deo-coeur that gratitude is key.

Surprisingly, this track wasn't penned by Larry Fleet. He recalls, “‘Both Sides Of The Fence’ was actually sent to me from a buddy. They had written this song and first listen, I had to have it. Again, it was kind of [about] growing up and it says ‘Daddy voted for Carter and Mama voted for Reagan / And my sister jammed Dolly Parton and my brother loved Van Halen’. So it talked about how everybody is. Depending on what side of the fence you're on, but we all sort of get along”.

Larry touches on how, despite it not arising from his own pen, ‘Both Sides of the Fence’ hit close to home, “It says ‘When it comes to black and white, gray is my favorite color’ And that's kind of the way I am. I think we all get along: we’re all a lot more alike than what we give ourselves credit for, especially with election year and everything going on in America. I think it's a cool song and should be heard. I love it and I love playing it, that's why I played it the other night and tried it out and it went over very well. And yeah, it's one of my new favorites too”.

It's safe to say we'll be keeping our fingers crossed Larry Fleet decides to release either ‘Baseball on the Radio’ or ‘Both Sides of the Fence’ - or ideally both - before the year is out. Each song acts as a reminder of Larry Fleet's unique ability to tug at the heartstrings while infusing his refreshingly optimistic worldview into every note, with Larry looking set to continue the momentum he built with Earned It.

After supporting his good buddy, Morgan Wallen, for the European leg of his One Night At A Time world tour, Larry Fleet is joining up with Jon Pardi this weekend for his Mr Saturday Night fall run. Then, after a brief rest over Christmas, Larry embarks on his headlining Hard Work & Holy Water 2025 tour with Everette in February.

For more on Larry Fleet, see below:

Written by Maxim Mower
Content Sponsor
Morgan Wallen Man Made A Bar Artwork
news

‘Man Made A Bar’ by Morgan Wallen & Eric Church - Lyrics & Meaning

Artist - Lauren Watkins 12
lists

ESSENTIALSLauren Watkins' Songs Ranked

Morgan Wallen in a blue denim shirt
news

Morgan Wallen Makes an Electric Debut in Copenhagen, Denmark

Artist - Ernest 9
tours

Ernest: Legalize Country Music Road Show 2024