What Kinda Man
| "What Kinda Man" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Parker McCollum | ||||
| from the album Parker McCollum | ||||
| Released | September 13, 2024 | |||
| Recorded | March 2024 | |||
| Studio | Power Station (New York, New York) | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 4:19 (album version) 3:52 (radio edit) | |||
| Label | UMG Nashville | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | ||||
| Parker McCollum singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "What Kinda Man" on YouTube | ||||
"What Kinda Man" is a song by American country music singer Parker McCollum. It was released on September 13, 2024, as the first single from his fifth studio album Parker McCollum. McCollum co-wrote the song with Natalie Hemby and Jeremy Spillman.
History
The writing process for the song began years before it was officially recorded.[1] In April 2022, McCollum met with Natalie Hemby and Jeremy Spillman and the trio worked on the song and many others.[1] The song was initially slated to be recorded for McCollum's 2023 album, Never Enough, but was ultimately not cut.[1]
"What Kinda Man" was officially released on September 13, 2024, after being teased on TikTok in January.[2][3] The song explored a different aspect of McCollum's music with a change from his typical style as he stated "I've only got two records left on my first-ever record deal, and I just didn't want to go put out a record that sounded like that last two...I always wanted to be John Mayer and George Strait, you know, and their records are sonically perfect. And I kind of came to the realization he last year [that] maybe that's just not me."[1] McCollum described the song as a step out of his comfort zone, while comparing himself to Willie Nelson, Chris Stapleton, Waylon Jennings, and Dolly Parton as they all earned their places in country music with their own unique sounds.[1]
MCA Nashville shocked McCollum as they picked "What Kinda Man" as his next single, stating "he thought the production might be too rough for country radio."[1] Co-writer Jeremy Spillman praised the song as relatable.[4]
McCollum's largest influences while writing "What Kinda Man" and all of his other songs are Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, James McMurtry, and Robert Earl Keen, with McCollum often asking himself if they would think the songs are good for county music.[4]
Critical reception
Tom Rowland of Billboard described "What Kinda Man" as "boldly different" and that "it was McCollum's voice all right, but the Dylan-style harmonica, rough-cut Flying Burrito Brothers arrangement and Hawaiian steel-like slide guitar challenge all the norms of modern commercial country."[1]
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[5]
- Parker McCollum – vocals, composer, lyricist, harmonica
- Eric Masse – production, mixing, engineering
- Frank Liddell – production
- Natalie Hemby – composer, lyricist
- Jeremy Spillman – composer, lyricist
- Adam Wright – acoustic guitar, background vocals
- Eli Bearid – bass
- Nir Z – drums
- Harrison Whitford – electric guitar
- Jedd Hughes – electric guitar
- Nick Bockrath – electric guitar
- Stephen Marcussen – mastering
- Anna Lise Liddell – engineering
- Maddie Harmon – engineering
Charts
| Chart (2024–2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[6] | 4 |
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[7] | 22 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[8] | 39 |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Roland, Tom (September 18, 2024). "Parker McCollum on the 'Sacrilegious' Origins of His Raw New Single, 'What Kinda Man': 'It's Going to Stick Out at Country Radio'". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ Humphrey, Jack (September 5, 2024). "Parker McCollum Reveals New Song "What Kinda Man"". Country Central. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ "Parker McCollum Releases New Single "What Kinda Man"". Parker McCollum. September 13, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ a b Hopper, Alex (January 15, 2025). "Behind the Meaning of Parker McCollum's Candid "What Kinda Man"". American Songwriter. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ "Credits / What Kinda Man / Parker McCollum". Tidal. September 13, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ "Parker McCollum Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ "Parker McCollum Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
- ^ "Parker McCollum Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 8, 2025.