Wanna Be That Song

Album: Illinois (2015)
Charted: 46
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was sparked by an open-ended question that was posed to Eldredge by a reporter. He explained to Billboard magazine: "I got the idea when an interviewer asked me what I wanted to do with my music, or what I wanted my message to be."

    "I thought about seeing people getting engaged or married to 'Mean To Me,' or the fact that a couple might have met while 'Beat of the Music' was playing, and now it was their song," Eldredge continued. "I said I want to be that song that makes you fall in love - or dance or laugh and have fun. The idea stuck with me."

    A little while later, Elderidge was about to go on the stage at Kansas Speedway, and he had Scooter Carusoe with him who had written "Mean to Me" with the singer. Eldredge looked at Carusoe as he was walking on stage and said, "I wanna write a song called 'I Wanna Be That Song.'"

    Three months later, Carusoe reminded him of the idea and the pair sat down and penned the tune - and it ended up being one of Eldredge's favorite songs he's ever written. "I want to be that song that helps you through something, or that made you fall in love or made you want to dance," he explained.
  • The black-and-white baseball-themed video shows a beardless Eldredge portraying a 1940s Cubs star who has dreamed of playing in the major leagues since he was a kid. The clip was filmed at Chicago's Wrigley Field, the first ever music video to be shot at the famous baseball park.

    "I grew up three hours south of Chicago - it was always a journey to come up and we'd plan trips around it," Eldredge told People. "Then I went to college in the suburbs for my first year, so I spent a lot of time in the city and man, it's like my second home. I've been a lifelong Cubs fan."

Comments: 1

  • Carrie Sue from Traver, CaliforniaZoot suit would look amazing on you Mr Brett Ryan Eldredge.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in Rock

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in RockSong Writing

We ring the Hell's Bells to see what songs and rockers are sincere in their Satanism, and how much of it is an act.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.

Barney Hoskyns Explores The Forgotten History Of Woodstock, New York

Barney Hoskyns Explores The Forgotten History Of Woodstock, New YorkSong Writing

Our chat with Barney Hoskyns, who covers the wild years of Woodstock - the town, not the festival - in his book Small Town Talk.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.