You know that feeling when you're driving down a backroad or just sitting in traffic, and a song comes on that makes you immediately wonder about an ex? That’s the exact nerve Morgan Wallen pinched with Thinkin’ Bout Me. Honestly, it's one of those tracks that shouldn’t have worked as well as it did. It’s track 25 on a 36-song behemoth of an album, One Thing At A Time, yet it somehow clawed its way to the top of the charts and stayed there.
It’s catchy. It’s petty. It’s fundamentally human.
Most people think of Wallen as just the guy with the mullet and the Tennessee drawl, but this song proved he’s a master of the "country-trap" crossover. By the time it hit Number 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in late 2023, it was already his 10th career chart-topper. And even now, heading into 2026, the song is a staple of every weekend playlist and barroom singalong.
📖 Related: Toni Basil Easy Rider: What Most People Get Wrong
The Writing Genius Behind Thinkin’ Bout Me
The song wasn’t a solo effort. Far from it.
Wallen leaned on a powerhouse group of writers to get that specific blend of country heart and pop rhythm. We’re talking about Ashley Gorley, John Byron, Taylor Phillips, and Ryan Vojtesak (better known as Charlie Handsome). If you follow Nashville credits, you know Ashley Gorley is basically a hit-making machine with over 60 Number 1s to his name.
Charlie Handsome, on the other hand, brings that hip-hop flare. He’s worked with Post Malone and Kanye West, which explains why the beat in Thinkin’ Bout Me feels more like something you’d hear in a club than at a rodeo.
- Production: Joey Moi and Charlie Handsome
- Vibe: Mid-tempo, R&B-infused country
- Theme: Post-breakup ego and lingering curiosity
The song asks the question every heartbroken (or just plain arrogant) person has: Are you really over me, or are you just pretending with that new guy? ## Why the Lyrics Hit Different
Let's talk about the actual story being told. Wallen isn’t playing the victim here. Instead, he’s poking the bear.
He’s wondering if she’s "up in his bed" but has Morgan "up in her head." It’s a bold, slightly toxic sentiment that resonates because it’s a thought most people have but rarely say out loud. He’s questioning her every move—what she’s drinking, where she’s driving, even who she sees when she closes her eyes.
It’s the "I know you better than he does" trope.
Critically, the song was a massive success because it bridged the gap between traditional country fans and the younger, streaming-heavy Gen Z audience. It’s got enough twang to keep the purists from revolting, but the 808s and the phrasing are pure modern pop.
Chart Stats You Can’t Ignore
When the album dropped in March 2023, it didn't just debut well; it exploded. One Thing At A Time spent 19 non-consecutive weeks at Number 1 on the Billboard 200. That’s Garth Brooks territory. Thinkin’ Bout Me specifically became Wallen's fastest-rising Number 1 at country radio at the time, hitting the peak just nine weeks after entering the Top 30.
It eventually landed at Number 9 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. That’s rare for a country song that isn't a massive crossover ballad. This was a swaggering, mid-tempo groove that found its way into the AirPods of people who "don't even like country music."
The 2026 Perspective: Is It Still Relevant?
Looking at it from today's lens, the song was the blueprint for Wallen's later 2025 projects like I'm The Problem. He realized that the "Sad Boy Country" aesthetic—mixing alcohol, regret, and a little bit of attitude—is his sweet spot.
Some critics back then called the 36-song album "monotonous" or "bloated." They weren't entirely wrong. It’s a lot of music to digest. But songs like Thinkin’ Bout Me stood out because they felt tighter and more polished than some of the filler tracks.
If you're trying to master the "Morgan Wallen sound" on guitar or just want to understand the production:
- Start with the 808s: The foundation is a trap beat, not a drum kit.
- Layer the guitars: Clean, electric riffs with a bit of delay.
- Vocal phrasing: It's almost rhythmic, bordering on melodic rap in the verses.
The song serves as a reminder that Nashville has changed. The lines between genres are basically non-existent now. You can have a steel guitar and a synth pad in the same bar, and as long as the hook is strong, nobody cares.
To really understand the impact of Thinkin’ Bout Me, you have to look at the streaming data. On Spotify alone, the track has cleared hundreds of millions of plays. It’s a "sticky" song—once it gets in your head, it’s there for the day.
If you're looking to dive deeper into this style, check out his 2025 releases or the work of his frequent collaborators like HARDY and ERNEST. They’re all pushing this same boundary, but Wallen remains the undisputed king of the hill for now.
To get the most out of this track today, listen to it alongside "Last Night" and "Cowgirls" to see how the production style evolved across the One Thing At A Time era. You’ll notice the subtle shift from organic instruments to a much heavier reliance on digital programming that defined his sound leading into the 2026 stadium tours.