The musical artists who appear on Songland, typically cut a version of the winning tune, but don’t usually follow up with further promotion of the song. Now, the country trio Lady Antebellum, who appeared on the season premiere last week, are releasing “Champagne Night,” the winning song from contestant Madeline Merlo, to country radio.
Champagne Nights is the First Songland Song to be Released to Radio
“Champagne Night” is the first song from the primetime series to become a radio single and is now available on all digital platforms.
Released on Big Machine Records, the episode’s lighthearted winning song was delivered to country radio on Monday (April 20). Immediately going for adds, the “bubbly new hit” ascended to the No. 1 spot on iTunes All-Genre chart upon premiering as it “sounds exactly like a summer jam” says Music Row.
“We had a blast bringing this song to life for our episode,” said Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “We started the process of the song over the winter in a very different time and headspace. But now, with everything going on, it’s almost like that little dose of exactly what I need right now – a light and fun little reminder to enjoy the simpler moments.”
Serving as an ode to a simplified, humble interpretation of the high-life, “Champagne Night” was penned by the show’s mentor Shane McAnally, alongside aspiring songwriter Madeline Merlo and Lady Antebellum.
On Monday, the band and McAnally surprised Merlo with the news about the song going to Country radio.
Filled with “snappy rhythms, ear-grabbing production and Lady Antebellum’s memorable harmonies…the island flavored track” (Billboard) was crafted specifically for the trio during the episode. Check out our recap of the episode HERE.
In a recent interview, Songland panelist Ryan Tedder, also a guest artist with his band OneRepublic last season, expressed regret that he didn’t drop “Somebody to Love” as a single. “For me, we should’ve gone to radio and put all the engines behind it. That was a mistake on our part and I’ll own it,” said Ryan in hindsight. ” It just came down to timing: “Somebody to Love” is a bigger song than “Wanted,” which was already on our release schedule. By the time “Somebody to Love” came out, we couldn’t unpeel the onion of the other song.”
Lady Antebellum – Champagne Night Music Video
