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At a time where entertainers were forced to go on a hiatus due to COVID-19 preventing concerts and large-scale events, you were able to keep music going. When did you begin creating the song?

The song really isn't that old. Country Stuff (his album) was released June 4th. And I would guarantee you that Fancy Like was either written at the end of April or the beginning of May. We had finished Country Stuff and as soon as we finished we were like, all bets are off. Let's just break the rules, and so we wrote Fancy Like, I'm actually sitting in the room where we wrote it on a Monday and we knew it was going on the album that night.

The vocal that's on the track is the vocal that I cut at home that day. When you talk about bringing people together, when I think about creators, when the world is where it is right now, we all just desperately feel hopeless, but artists just want to help. You truly think to yourself How can I write something to help people? You don't think a song about Applebee's is going to be medicine that everybody needs, but you just want to help. I was home longer than I've ever been home in my life and that's what this song is about, it is what we do as a household, as a couple and I doubt I would have written that song if I had been gone doing shows. It came out of a special place and a special headspace. The song is a great distraction from all the division going on in the world.

Applebee's has hooked my family with some sick gift cards, so weve been putting those to use. I mean, why would I go anywhere else? Applebee's has been so gracious! The fact that they had a sense of humor and had fun jumping up and using the song in the commercial was like a consideration to be a part of their family, and we loved it. Applebee's is definitely who we are, so we'll take it.

This memory is priceless, it just wasnt calculated and thats a great lesson to me. My daughter is learning that there's no limit. She realized that that dance she created in a couple minutes with her dad can reach the other side of the earth in a moment and make somebody happy as they learn it with somebody they love. Lela is learning the power of music. I'll do a dance to every song if my daughter wants, to me its really about that. Sweating on the porch with her and laughing every time I mess it up. Were all just on cloud nine and were grateful.

(Laughing) No, I always see [social media apps] as an exciting challenge. You figure one out and then another one comes out. I love the fact that TikTok takes all gatekeepers out of the equation. Just like we did with Fancy Like we literally posted a video and it got to the universe and thats all you can ask as an artist.

As were coming out of it and this song is popping, Im having to say yes to really large exposures, TV spots and stuff. I have to remain true to my priorities and where this came from. This came from being with my family and so its really been challenging. I love the opportunity, but I want to be with my family.

Easy! It really is the Bourbon steak. My family is alarmed if I order something different. I love the quesadilla burger, its really a close second to the Bourbon steak. Always the Oreo Shake, it doesnt matter what I get, I always finish it off with that.

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Walker Hayes on TikTok-inspired viral Applebee's ad - AdAge.com