Worth the Wait for the Slow Burn: Christian Hayes Finds Contentment on ‘Good As It Gets’
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Artist Information: Christian Hayes
Christian Hayes is a compelling American singer-songwriter, quickly rising in the country and folk-pop scenes. Raised in the Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia, his sound is steeped in Southern storytelling traditions, a passion ignited at age seven when his grandfather, a professional poet, gave him his first journal. This early start led Hayes to amass a catalog of over 900 original songs by his mid-twenties.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy Reserve, Hayes applies military discipline to his writing craft, ensuring structure, intention, and emotional honesty are at the core of his music. Signed to Capitol Records, he initially gained viral attention with the acoustic ballad “LILY” (an acronym for “Last I Love You”) from his debut EP, Last I Love You. His style blends cinematic folk, Americana, and raw folk-pop energy, often drawing comparisons to artists like Noah Kahan and The Lumineers while maintaining a distinct, emotionally resonant country core.
Single Review: “Good As It Gets”
Overview
Released as a radiant single, “Good As It Gets” marks a shift in Christian Hayes’ thematic focus, moving from the introspective heartbreak of his earlier viral tracks toward a soulful celebration of patient, self-aware love. Produced by Brett Truitt, the song captures the early, precious stages of a relationship, highlighting the beauty of the pursuit rather than the destination. It serves as an open-hearted anthem for anyone learning to appreciate the present moment in romance.
Musicality and Production
Sonically, the track leans heavily into Hayes’ folk-pop sensibilities while remaining accessible to the country audience. The production is tastefully understated, opening with gilded electric guitar tones and graceful acoustic strumming that lay a warm foundation. Gently cascading banjo lines weave through the arrangement, providing a subtle but distinctive rootsy texture that keeps the song grounded in Americana.
Hayes’ vocals are rich and earnest, delivering the lyrics with a profound sense of wonder. The track finds a perfect mid-tempo groove, making it an easy-going listen that feels both timely and timeless. It manages to be beautifully understated while brimming with pure, genuine feeling, utilizing simple, effective instrumentation to allow the lyrical content to shine.
Lyrical Deep Dive
The core concept of “Good As It Gets” is the wisdom of not rushing love. Hayes, who has openly admitted to previously wanting to “rush love,” finds a mature perspective in this song. The verses capture the afterglow of a perfect first date—driving home at midnight, windows down—a simple yet cinematic scene that sets the emotional context.
The strength of the song lies entirely in its heart-melting, self-assured chorus:
“But if this is as good as it gets, / And if we never make it past / This first-date goodbye kiss, / And if this is as good as it gets, / I’m good with it.”
This refrain is incredibly powerful because it embraces vulnerability and gratitude simultaneously. It suggests that even the simplest, most fleeting moments of genuine connection are enough, absolving the pressure of needing a guaranteed long-term future. It is a lyrical victory for present-tense contentment, a rarity in a genre often focused on epic love stories or crushing loss. The single successfully transforms the “slow burn” into a source of joy, positioning Hayes as a songwriter wise beyond his years.