'Arkansas Diamond' by Waylon Wyatt – Lyrics & Meaning

At only 17 years old, viral newcomer Waylon Wyatt is already on the fast track to becoming one of the genre's newest stars.

Starting with his debut release, 'Everything Under The Sun,' in November of 2023, the Arkansas native began to turn heads. Yet, it was his December follow-up that really put him on the map.

Titled 'Arkansas Diamond,' the acoustic driven tune has accumulated over 30 million streams on Spotify alone in less than a year, setting the stage for the young singer-songwriter to support behemoth acts like Dwight Yoakam, as well as play a handful of his own sold-out shows around the country.

Heavily influenced by modern country-folk stars like Zach Bryan and Tyler Childers, Wyatt has begun to cultivate a rugged country-rock sound that has landed him slots at AMERICANAFEST 2024, Spotify House, Stagecoach 2025 and more, all before graduating high school... and he's just getting started.

In the comments section of Wyatt's social media accounts, you'll often hear fans calling him "the next Zach Bryan." While the validity of that remains to be seen, there's no denying that the larger-than-life superstar has heavily inspired the country newcomer.

For instance, throughout much of Wyatt's small but mighty discography thus far, you'll find that most of his offerings are stripped-back acoustic tunes that in one way or another feel very reminiscent of what Bryan has done throughout his career.

This is especially true of Wyatt's breakout hit, 'Arkansas Diamond,' which was written solely by the teenager and produced by Tommy Tratwein.

Armed with only an acoustic guitar, his gravelly, raw vocals unapologetically shine against the sparse sonic landscape. Falling in line with the trend of today's red dirt and Appalachian hitmakers, it's an unpolished and imperfect offering, giving it a sentimental charm that keeps you coming back for more.

"Call her up in the middle of the morning
5:00 on the dot without a warning
Pouring my heart out into the phone

Half awake and barely asleep
Hours spent listening to her dreams
'Cause hearing that voice makes me feel at home"

The song begins with a forlorn protagonist calling up his love interest bright and early, simply because he yearns to hear her voice.

Pouring out his heart to her over the phone, they often don't really talk about much, yet just being able to know she's on the other end of the line makes him "feel at home."

"Well, it's a blessing just to know her name
That sparkle in her eyes can put stars to shame
And it's a wonder if she'll ever think twice
On a wretch like me wouldn't that be nice"

He goes on to gush about the girl who has his heart, explaining that simply knowing her name is a blessing in and of itself, let alone being able to love her.

While the sparkle in her eyes envies that of the cosmos, he begs the question of if she'll ever reconsider her love for him. While it wouldn't be a surprise to him – because she's clearly way out of his league – he seems to be content with just the chance to love and care for her.

"Smile brighter than them Arkansas diamonds
Dreams bigger than a Texan's horizon
Lord knows a poor man like me
Would do anything
'Cause your love is what I'm pining
Cut nice polished and shining
A gem like you is hard findings
So I'll keep on digging for this Arkansas diamond"

A little known fact about Arkansas is that within its state lines lies one of the only public diamond mines in the world. Crater of Diamonds State Park, a 911-acre park in Pike County, Arkansas, has produced diamonds consistently since way back in 1906.

Spawning some of the most valuable and highly-graded diamonds in the United States, Wyatt makes the bold statement that the woman whose stolen his heart shines even brighter than these little ole things.

As he explains that he would do anything to keep her love, he adds that he'll do everything he can to polish and protect her while she's in his life. Because after all, finding a diamond like her doesn't happen often.

"She lives her life wild and free
She'll never know what she means to me
Doesn't have a single clue in the world

She'll forever have my heart
No matter where we are
It'll always belong to you girl"

As we continue to learn more about this girl our singer is smitten with, we come to find that perhaps she doesn't really know how entranced Wyatt is with her.

Explaining that she's a wild spirit who can't be tied down, the narrator sings that, no matter what, he'll always be stuck on her.

"And it's a blessing just to know her touch
Her sweet southern drawl will make you fall in love
And this lady that I hold so dear
Well I'd be nothing without her here"

The Hackett, Arkansas native hasn't shared too terribly much about the song since its release, but he has explained the origins of the tune that's slowly and sweetly brought him into the limelight.

"I had just heard the song 'Oklahoma Smokeshow' by Zach Bryan," he shares on social media. "I was like, 'Man, Arkansas needs something to define a girl from Arkansas.' That's when I started writing the lyrics to 'Arkansas Diamond.'"

Ahead of its release last December, before he knew the heights that the song would soar to, Wyatt offered up his sincere thanks to fans and happenstance listeners alike, saying: "I couldn’t thank y’all enough for letting me be apart of the many artists you lend your ears to. I am forever grateful for you all and wouldn’t be where I am without y’all’s love and support."

Call her up in the middle of the morning
5:00 on the dot without a warning
Pouring my heart out into the phone

Half awake and barely asleep
Hours spent listening to her dreams
'Cause hearing that voice makes me feel at home

Well, it's a blessing just to know her name
That sparkle in her eyes can put stars to shame
And it's a wonder if she'll ever think twice
On a wretch like me wouldn't that be nice

Smile brighter than them Arkansas diamonds
Dreams bigger than a Texan's horizon
Lord knows a poor man like me
Would do anything
'Cause your love is what I'm pining
Cut nice polished and shining
A gem like you is hard findings
So I'll keep on digging for this Arkansas diamond

She lives her life wild and free
She'll never know what she means to me
Doesn't have a single clue in the world

She'll forever have my heart
No matter where we are
It'll always belong to you girl

And it's a blessing just to know her touch
Her sweet southern drawl will make you fall in love
And this lady that I hold so dear
Well I'd be nothing without her here

Smile brighter than them Arkansas diamonds
Dreams bigger than a Texan's horizon
Lord knows a poor man like me
Would do anything
'Cause your love is what I'm pining
Cut nice polished and shining
A gem like you is hard findings
So I'll keep on digging for this Arkansas diamond

Keep on digging for this Arkansas diamond

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