'Feather In My Hat' by Ian Munsick & Lainey Wilson – Lyrics & Meaning

Amidst Ian Munsick's stellar third record, Eagle Feather, you'll find stories and testimonies of his life in Wyoming and a montage of the experiences that have led him to the precipice of country stardom.

Laden with expansive tracks, atmospheric anthems and a guest collaboration or two, one of the most soaring songs comes just past the halfway mark of the 20-song project as the Wyoming native joins forces with country's leading lady, Lainey Wilson.

While it's the first time this pair have teamed up for a true duet–though Munsick served as direct support across all of Wilson's 2024 tour dates–'Feather In My Hat' joins a long list of recent collabs for the Louisiana native, including with Myles Smith, HARDY, Post Malone, Brooks & Dunn, Jelly Roll, Cole Swindell, Lauren Alaina, ERNEST, Keith Urban and more.

Written by Munsick alongside a pair of revered singer-songwriters–Caitlyn Smith & Marc Scilbila–'Feather In My Hat' is an endearing love song that finds the long-haired crooner at his most vulnerable.

Wilson's vocals, famously recorded on a tour bus at some point in 2024, shine alongside Munsick's nasally croon. With a warm piano at its core and a full band wrapping its country-tinged arms around it, the tune feels larger-than-life and ready to fill up arenas all over the country with the chilling trill of a mandolin filling in all the right places.

Produced by Munsick, Jared Conrad & Jeremy Spillman, the same trio behind the entirety of Eagle Feather, 'Feather In My Hat' could be the next big time country love ballad that we've been waiting for.

“In my younger years I knew nothing
I’d be gone before the morning’s first light
Till I got a taste of your loving
Now I stay to watch you sleeping in in the sun rise

Thank God I got
A woman who makes me who I wanna be"

Reflecting back on his youthful naivety and his old, foolish ways, Munsick explains that he was a rolling stone and a drifter up until the moment that he met his beloved.

From the second he felt her love and adorations, everything changed, and now he can't imagine leaving her behind or ever walking away as she pushes him to constantly be the best version of himself.

“You’re the ground neath my boots
You’re the one I run to
When I feel like riding away
You’re the wind in my sails, the wings on my back
Angel you ain’t just a feather in my hat”

Now, she is his rock. She's the one who holds him steady and who he seeks out to celebrate the highs and grieve the lows. Even though he still gets that itch to just run away and avoid the things he's facing, she's there to pick him up and keep him going.

By saying "you ain't just a feather in my hat," Munsick is underlining that he doesn't see her as just some accessory or flashy thing to show off, but that she's instead the very reason why he can keep going day after day.

“You’re forever tucked in this Stetson
Saying I’m with you makes me proud
You’re the closest I’ve been to heaven
Yeah you get my heart racing
And you settle me down”

As Wilson's honey-dipped voice joins in for the second verse, we build on the themes and thoughts mentioned in the chorus.

Similar to a trusty feather in a hat, she sees her partner as always being with her, no matter what. Beaming with pride at the thought of having them in her life and on her arm, she likens being with her beloved to being as close to heaven as possible while on earth.

"You’re the ground neath my boots
You’re the one I run to
When I feel like riding away
You’re the wind in my sails, the wings on my back
Angel you ain’t just a feather in my hat"

Ahead of the release of Eagle Feather, Ian Munsick sat down with Holler to dish on the creative process for the album, touring with some of the genre's biggest stars, preserving the modern west and more.

Throughout the conversation, the Wyoming native touched on his new collaboration with Lainey Wilson, saying, "There's the image of the feather in my hat, but the way I've always viewed it is that it's more like a trophy. If you tie it in with love, though, you're saying, 'Hey, you're not just a trophy. You're my lover, you're the wings on my back. You're not just a feather in my hat.'

"Lainey obviously has her own relationship with Duck, and she wears a feather in her hat, too, so I knew that was going to be a soft spot. It just kind of felt like it would be a man and woman duet, so it was kind of a no brainer," he explained. "The power that comes from that song feels like an award show moment."

Commenting on his friendship with the genre's leading lady, Munsick added, "To call her a pal for eight years and for her to blow up and bring me on tour with her, then be kind enough to record a song with me, reminded me that there's still good people in this world."

In my younger years I knew nothing
I’d be gone before the morning’s first light
Till I got a taste of your loving
Now I stay to watch you sleeping in in the sun rise

Thank God I got
A woman who makes me who I wanna be

You’re the ground neath my boots
You’re the one I run to
When I feel like riding away
You’re the wind in my sails, the wings on my back
Angel you ain’t just a feather in my hat

You’re forever tucked in this Stetson
Saying I’m with you makes me proud
You’re the closest I’ve been to heaven
Yeah you get my heart racing
And you settle me down

You’re the ground neath my boots
You’re the one I run to
When I feel like riding away
You’re the wind in my sails, the wings on my back
Angel you ain’t just a feather in my hat

You’re the ground neath my boots
You’re the one I run to
When I feel like riding away
You’re the wind in my sails, the wings on my back \
Angel you ain’t just a feather in my hat
Angel you ain’t just a feather in my hat

––

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