Songfacts®:

• Danielia Cotton wrote "Bring Out the Country in Me" about how moving to New York City from her small hometown actually strengthened her rural roots. As she explained on the Songfacts Podcast: "Coming to New York City from a small town, is a serious transition. What surprised me was how much of the small town ways I didn't lose. The big city kinda made me more me than ever. I'm kinda proud of that."
• The song is an original composition by Danielia Cotton, co-written with producer Marc Copely. It appears on her EP Charley's Pride: A Tribute to Black Country Music, released in August 2024. While most of the EP features covers of Charley Pride songs, "Bring Out The Country In Me" stands out as Cotton's contemporary addition, blending her signature rock and soul style with country influences.
• Cotton describes the song as reflecting her experience of becoming "more me" in New York City. Despite the urban setting, she found that her small-town roots became more pronounced, rather than fading away. This theme ties into the larger narrative of the EP, which explores Cotton's connection to country music and her family history, including her grandfather's secret love for Charley Pride's music.
• "Bring Out The Country In Me" marks a new direction for Danielia Cotton, an artist known for blending rock, soul, and blues. Born and raised in the small town of Hopewell, New Jersey, Cotton grew up in a musical family and began her career with a more rock-oriented sound. Her previous albums, including Small White Town (2005) and Good Day (2022), established her as a versatile vocalist with a powerful, gritty style. This song, along with the rest of the Charley's Pride: A Tribute to Black Country Music EP, marks her first foray into country music.