For the first time in American Idol history, the Top 7 contestants recorded winners singles ahead of the semi-final. But after Hunter Metts was eliminated, along with Arthur Gunn, neither singer will perform the song live on the show. Good news for fans, however! Both Hunter and Arthur dropped their singles on Friday (May 14) along with the rest of the Top 4.
Hunter c0-penned and co-produced “20,000 Kisses”
Hunter co-penned his song, titled “20,000 Kisses” with Mark Irwin Abramson, and c0-produced it with Ian Fitchuk produced the track. Fitchuk, who has worked with Kacey Musgraves, Leon Bridges, Harry Styles and Little Big Town, told Billboard magazine that “20,000 Kisses” came with a “decent amount” of production in place already. Hence, Hunter receiving a producer credit.
As far as the song is concerned, the strummy and melodic pop song features romance and a chiming chorus: “I’ll be there when the music’s over/The lights go down and we’re dancing slower/Even when the world stops spinning round/I’ll be there when the curtain’s closing/Loving you with the credits rolling/I’ll be feeling higher than the clouds/20,000 kisses from now.”
On Instagram, Hunter writes, “Had the pleasure of working with @tronian + @joshthemoore + @markirwin62 on this one – New song “20,000 Kisses” out Friday.”
Hunter’s emotional Idol journey
Hunter’s American Idol journey didn’t end without drama. On Top 12 night, the young singer-songwriter burst into tears after flubbing a line at the end of an otherwise pitch-perfect performance of “Falling Slowly.” The judges assured him that mistakes happen all the time, as fans rallied, voting him through to the Top 9. Afterward, Hunter wrote on Instagram, “That moment before you forget the lyrics on live TV… But on a serious note – thank you all for showing me that perfection isn’t always the best route and that no matter what I have an incredible group of people that have my back.”
But when America eliminated the singer the following week, he struck a thankful note, writing, “I had the time of my life. Every end is a new beginning – and this happens to be a really cool one. I’ll miss you @americanidol.”
Listen to “20,000 Kisses” below.
