Never Say Never (Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson song)

"Never Say Never" is a song by American country music singers Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson. It was released on November 19, 2021, as the second single from Swindell's fourth studio album Stereotype. Swindell co-wrote the song with Jessi Alexander and Chase McGill, and it was produced by Zach Crowell.^[2] It peaked at number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in April 2022, becoming Swindell's seventh number one single, and Wilson's second.

"Never Say Never"
Single by Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson
from the album Stereotype
Written	2018
Released	November 19, 2021 (2021-11-19)
Genre	Country rock[1]
Length	2:56
Label	Warner Nashville
Songwriter(s)	Jessi Alexander Chase McGill Cole Swindell
Producer(s)	Zach Crowell
Cole Swindell singles chronology
"Single Saturday Night" (2020) "Never Say Never" (2021) "She Had Me at Heads Carolina" (2022)
Lainey Wilson singles chronology
"Things a Man Oughta Know" (2020) "Never Say Never" (2021) "Heart Like a Truck" (2022)
Music video
"Never Say Never" on YouTube

Background and content

On November 18, 2021, Swindell and Wilson announced the collaboration on social media,^[3] "Never Say Never" is the first duet between the two artists. Swindell stated in a press release: "I wrote 'Never Say Never' with Jessi Alexander and Chase McGill in 2018 about a relationship you just can't stay away from, I have been a fan of Lainey Wilson's for a while now and what she brings to this song is everything it needed". Wilson said: "'Things a Man Oughta Know' was such an incredible ride, I can’t wait to get this next song out into the world and see where it leads".^[4]

Composition

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country wrote that the producer Zach Crowell "adds a swirl of emotions with steel guitar, keys and a thundering rhythm section" that contrasts Swindell's previous work.^[5]

Critical reception

Music and Tour News commented that Wilson's presence "give[s] the stellar song an added dimension" and the two artists "sound absolutely fantastic together on the smash-hit".^[6]

Music video

The music video was released on January 12, 2022, and directed by FlyHi Films’ Michael Monaco. The video was filmed in Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary located at the suburb of Knoxville, Tennessee. It tells a story about "a forbidden relationship between a prison guard with an inmate".^[7]

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Never Say Never" Chart (2021–2022) Peak position Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[8] 47 Canada Country (Billboard)[9] 1 US Billboard Hot 100[10] 27 US Country Airplay (Billboard)[11] 1 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[12] 2

Year-end charts 2022 year-end chart performance for "Never Say Never" Chart (2022) Position US Billboard Hot 100[13] 92 US Country Airplay (Billboard)[14] 12 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[15] 27

Certifications

Certifications for "Never Say Never"

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[16]	Gold	40,000‡
United States (RIAA)[17]	Platinum	1,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for "Never Say Never"

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Various	November 19, 2021	Digital download streaming	Warner Nashville	[18]
United States	November 22, 2021	Country radio		[19]