10 Hit Country Songs Written By Duluth Native Jordan Schmidt
Haven't heard of Jordan Schmidt? You may not know him by name but you have definitely heard his songs on the radio.
Chris Allen and I were chatting one day when he told me about Schmidt. The hit songwriter was born in Duluth, which is pretty darn cool if you ask me. From there I did some research and it turns out he's not only a huge songwriter but he's also written some of the biggest songs to grace our airwaves over the past few years.
Everyone from Jason Aldean to Kane Brown to Mitchell Tenpenny credit Schmidt as a writer or a co-writer. As of the end of 2018, he's scored four number one hits and counting.
Aside from the country music world, he's also cut songs for huge television shows like NCIS: New Orleans, One Tree Hill, Keeping Up With The Kardashians and more.
It doesn't look like his hot streak will end any time soon and for that we are thankful! Familiarize yourself with the Northland native by looking at his ten biggest hits below.
- 1
What Ifs
Yes, I am talking about one of the biggest songs of 2017. To say the Kane Brown and Lauren Alaina duet was a HUGE hit is an understatement. The tune became the third-most consumed country song of 2017, went three times platinum and scored a load of award nominations. Brown co-wrote the song with Schmidt and Matt McGinn and it's safe to say the trio killed it.
- 2
If The Boot Fits
This song was a hit for Granger Smith and peaked inside the top 10 on the US Country Airplay Chart. It was written by Schmidt, along with Andy Albert and Mitchell Tenpenny. The 2016 tune is a cute take on a love story that was very fitting for country radio. It's also incredibly catchy so be prepared for it to be stuck in your head - again.
- 3
Lights Come On
Jason Aldean chose this track to kick off the album cycle for "They Don't Know" and he made a good choice, as the song went on to become a big hit. It hit number one on the charts and has been certified gold. By the way, it was written along with the boys of Florida Georgia Line, Jimmy Robbins, Brad Warren and Brett Warren. That's quite a group and this is quite a song!
- 4
Smooth
Schmidt teamed up with the boys of Florida Georgia Line for this one, along with Nicolle Galyon. It peaked inside the top 20 on the US Country Airplay Chart and to this day, it is still one of the duo's most distinguishable songs. Dare we say it's smooth?
- 5
One Girl
Chris Lane is one of the biggest names to break out onto the country music scene over the past few years. This is one of his deep cuts, written along with Andy Albert and Michael Hardy. While this wasn't a single, Lane does have a huge following which means all of his songs are pretty much hits in one way or another.
- 6
Happens Like That
A 2017 hit for Granger Smith, this song follows a relationship over the course of time. Smith wrote it with Schmidt, Andy Albert, Justin Wilson and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line. Smith wrote it while on tour with the duo and said it was inspired by the moment he first met his wife. It's a sweet track that peaked inside the top 20. Sweet.
- 7
New York At Night
This Old Dominion tune is a standout on their latest album, "Happy Endings." It was written by Schmidt, Trevor Rosen and Brad Tursi, of the band. It was never a single but it's still a jam. We've had this one on repeat for awhile. (By the way - let's hope these guys come back soon!)
- 8
Drunk Me
This song needs no further explanation but I will give you one just in case you've been living under a rock. This song, written with Mitchell Tenpenny and Justin Wilson, became one of the biggest in 2018. As his debut single, this was our introduction to Tenpenny. Thankfully for him - and for us - this was a big, old number one hit. We want more collaborations in the future, please.
- 9
Caught Up In The Country
You may not have heard this one YET but it's climbing the country charts as we speak so it is only a matter of time. Rodney Atkins is back with this track, written with Schmidt, Connie Harrington and Mike Walker. We will take any song that gets his voice back on our airwaves.
- 10
You Make It Easy
Jason Aldean kicked off his "Rearview Town" album cycle with this romantic ballad. The tune is what happens when you get some of the biggest superstars in music in the same room: Jordan Schmidt, Florida Georgia Line and Morgan Wallen. Released in early 2018, it quickly took the top spot on the country airplay charts and went platinum. No big deal.