Introduction
Scotty McCreery continues his tradition of honoring musical influences with his latest single, “Bottle Rockets,” which cleverly interpolates Hootie & the Blowfish’s iconic “Hold My Hand.” This follows his successful tribute to George Strait with “Damn Strait.”
“Bottle Rockets” evokes a nostalgic summer vibe, with McCreery’s smooth vocals painting a picture of youthful romance along the Carolina coast. He shared in a press release that the song transports him back to “summers of having fun with no responsibilities with good times and good tunes,” highlighting the significant role Hootie & the Blowfish played in his own Carolina upbringing.
The chorus of “Bottle Rockets” features the familiar melody and lyrics of “Hold My Hand” woven into new imagery: “Bottle rockets in the sky / Bare feet in the sand / Bonfire in her eyes / Cold beer in the can / Moonlight on the waves / Her kiss in the dark / The smile on her face / When she’d make me break out my guitar and play / Hold my hand / Hold my hand.”
The collaboration is a true fusion, with members of Hootie & the Blowfish — Mark Bryan, Dean Felber, and Jim Sonefeld — re-recording their parts specifically for “Bottle Rockets.” This was even done before McCreery had laid down his own vocals, as Sonefeld explained to Audacy’s Rob + Holly, noting the convenience of their studio availability in Charleston. Darius Rucker also contributed, with his part recorded while he was in town from London, making the whole process come together organically.
Sonefeld expressed his delight in seeing an “old song of ours take flight again,” especially with “a Carolina guy like Scotty reshaping it in such a beautiful way.”
“Bottle Rockets” has already made a significant splash, garnering 110 radio adds at Country radio upon its release, a feat only matched by McCreery’s 2024 single, “Cab in a Solo.” McCreery conveyed his excitement, stating, “It’s a dream come true to sing with Hootie and the Blowfish. They are royalty in the Carolinas where I grew up, and ‘Hold My Hand’ has been one of my favorite summer songs since I first heard it as a kid.”
The song’s release coincides with a busy schedule for McCreery, including upcoming headlining shows overseas, a Grand Ole Opry performance on June 4, and a CMA Music Festival concert the following day. He’ll also be performing at various fairs and festivals throughout the summer, and later this year, he’s set to co-headline the “Two for the Road Tour” with Dustin Lynch, kicking off on November 6th in Saginaw, MI.