The True Meaning Behind Slow Down Summer By Thomas Rhett

Country music superstar Thomas Rhett is wrapping up an epic year.

Rhett's track "Country Again" recently earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Song for "Some People Do," and the singer tweeted that he was "so grateful and blown away" by the nom (his fourth overall. He celebrated by sharing a work tape of the song with fans on social media. And beyond music, the "Die A Happy Man" singer welcomed his fourth baby girl with his wife Lauren Akins on November 15. Rhett announced their daughter, Lillie Carolina Akins, was "7.5 pounds of pure joy" on Instagram, and praised his wife as his "hero" after she gave birth.

In the midst of the country singer's personal and professional successes, Rhett is kicking off a rollout of new music, including the release of the pop-inspired single "Slow Down Summer" on November 5. The track is the first off his highly-anticipated upcoming album, and its true meaning is giving listeners major nostalgic vibes.

Thomas Rhett tells the story of a short-lived romance in the year's hottest months on his latest track "Slow Down Summer." "I was beggin' those leaves, 'Don't go changin' on me' / 'Friday night lights, stay away' / But the Fourth of July was just smoke in the sky / And our sunburns were startin' to fade," Rhett sings of lovers wishing their fling won't burn out with the change of seasons.

According to Music Row, Rhett wrote the song from the point of view of two people who are in love during senior year of high school. "I envisioned them headed off to different schools and they're starting to understand that the moment the weather starts to change, they've got a 99% chance this relationship is not going to work," Rhett said of his song. "I know that myself and a lot of people have been there before, wishing the fireworks stage doesn't have to end." In his case, it worked out — he and wife Lauren Akins were high school sweethearts, per People, and though they later dated other people, they found their way back to each other and married at 22.

While the title of "Slow Down Summer" may suggest the track is off-topic by a few months, Thomas Rhett's new song is actually perfect for colder weather. "I put my jacket on your shoulder / Wishin' the weather wasn't gettin' colder / Lettin' you go, holdin' onto each other / Closin' our eyes, sayin', "Slow down, summer," Rhett sings.

The country singer explained why his new song is fit for its fall release. "I know a lot of people are like, 'Why are you puttin' out a song called 'Slow Down Summer' in November?'" Rhett said, per My Radio Link. "You know, the song really is a kind of a cold weather song. It's more talking about, like we know that the weather is getting cold or we know the leaves are changing. We know that summer is exiting and fall is coming in."

Rhett added that "Slow Down Summer" is a great way to kick off his upcoming record. While the singer pleads for time to slow down in the lyrics of his latest song, Rhett himself is excited about what's ahead in the coming months. The star revealed on Instagram he will release two albums in 2022: "Where We Started" early next year and "Country Again (Side B)" next fall. "I cannot wait for y'all to hear these songs," Rhett said to his IG followers, "and I cannot wait to play them for you live on the road next year."