Bye Mom

Album: All In (2022)
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Songfacts®:

  • "Bye Mom" is an emotional tribute to mothers everywhere and the lifelong love they have for their children. Chris Janson envisions the circle of life of a child saying bye to their mom from their first day being dropped off at school to the final parting at their burial. The 5-year-old child casually says the words at the school gates, but the farewell when their teenage offspring leaves home for college carries more weight. That final tearful "bye mom" as a rose is laid at her grave is the most poignant of all.
  • Chris Janson co-wrote the tear-jerking ballad with Brandon Kinney (Jason Aldean's "Drowns the Whiskey," Luke Combs' "The Other Guy"). They took inspiration from Kinney losing his mother in 2020, with Janson also dipping into his relationship with his mom, Carrie.

    "Even though it was written as a tribute to one special person, I think this song is universal," said Janson "At its core, 'Bye Mom' is about unconditional love – 'you don't realize you're somebody that somebody loves more than themselves.' Whether it's from a mom or someone else, everyone deserves to experience that kind of love."
  • Zach Crowell produced the track, opting for a tender arrangement, letting the lyrics lead the way. He also plays the piano and performs the backing vocals with Brandon Kinney. The other musicians are:

    Iya Toshinskiy: banjo and acoustic guitar:
    Jimmie Lee Sloas: bass
    Devin Malone: pedal steel guitar, electric guitar, dobro and mandolin
    Sol Philcox: electric guitar
    Ben Phillips: drums
  • Chris Janson released "Bye Mom" as the lead single from All In on August 20, 2021. He gave the song its TV debut during the March 22, 2022 episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show.

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