Hang Tight Honey

"Hang Tight Honey" is a song recorded by American country music singer Lainey Wilson. It was released in May 2024 as the lead single from her fifth studio album, Whirlwind. It was written by Wilson, Jason Nix, Paul Sikes, and Driver Williams, and was produced by Jay Joyce.

Background
Lyrically, "Hang Tight Honey" was inspired by Wilson's life on the road as a touring performer yearning for home and spending time with her boyfriend, though the melody and beat are described as "infectious" and indicative of Wilson's live set. Wilson co-wrote the "countrified funk-rock hybrid" with Jason Nix, Paul Sikes, and Driver Williams. Wilson spoke on the single saying: "I've been runnin' the roads nonstop for a few years now and I ain't gonna lie to y'all, sometimes it can be tough being away from home that much. At the same time, remembering what 'home' is and the things that I get to do for the ones I love because of the work I put in is what keeps me going and makes it all worthwhile".

It follows promotional single, "Country's Cool Again", which will also be included on Whirlwind and shares its name with her headlining tour that began May 31, 2024 in Nashville.

Live performances
Wilson first debuted the song live, alongside a cover of "God Blessed Texas", when she opened the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards on May 16, 2024. Wilson performed the song live on the 25th season finale of The Voice on May 21, 2024, with Reba McEntire surprising her with an invite to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Music video
The music video for "Hang Tight Honey" was directed by Dano Cerny and premiered on July 3, 2024. In it, Wilson is shown in two distinct getups for a vintage variety TV show performance, with a 1960s-inspired pale blue pantsuit with high hair in one look, and Wilson's more traditional regalia of a cowboy hat and bell bottoms in the other. These scenes are interspersed with shots following Wilson and her band as they travel the country in her tour bus. The video ends with a "To Be Continued..." teaser, ahead of the July 4, 2024, premiere for the music video for "4x4xU", another promotional single from Whirlwind.

Chart performance
"Hang Tight Honey" debuted on the Billboard Country Airplay chart at number 23 in May 2024.