Single by
Ryan Ross Hernandezfrom the album Definition of HomeReleased: April 25, 2025
Studio: Prime Recording Studios (Nashville)
Genre: Country
Length: 5:05
Label: RRH Rights Management
Songwriter(s): Ryan Ross Hernandez
Producer(s): Ryan Ross Hernandez • Ellie-Grace Summers
"Tennessee Daydream" is a song by American singer-songwriter Ryan Ross Hernandez. It was independently released on April 25, 2025, through his management LLC, as the lead single from Hernandez's ninth studio album,
Definition of Home. It was written solely by Hernandez, who co-produced it with girlfriend and frequent collaborator singer-songwriter Ellie-Grace Summers. The pair have worked together numerous times since they reunited in 2020 and began working on
Amongst the Madness, their forthcoming joint album. The single comes just over four months after his previous studio album
Late Fragment, and less than three months following
"Hunters", a standalone song released to support the 2025 Southern California wildfires and its ongoing recovery efforts. Many reviews for "Tennessee Daydream" praised the stylistic change for Hernandez foray into country music and his vocal delivery, but some found the composition to be one-dimensional and lyrically bland compared to previous recordings.
It was released to United States contemporary hit radio and hot adult contemporary, in addition to being the first song in Hernandez's career that has been sent to US country radio. The artwork features the state flag of Tennessee as well as Hernandez draped in traditional American colors. Some panned the cover art as "faux country" to align with the stylistic shift. The track was made available for purchase as a limited-time CD single through Hernandez's online store, as well as a special colored 7-inch vinyl edition with a yet-to-be-announced unreleased b-side.
Music and LyricsHernandez is the only credited writer on "Tennessee Daydream", who also played both acoustic and electric guitar. All additional instrumentation was handled by local Nashville based musicians, many of who first met Hernandez the same day they recorded their parts live in the studio. It is a 1990s-inspired mid-tempo country song, which features two seperate guitar solos, one after the second chorus, and another serving as the outro which fades the track out. It is a noticeable departure from
Sex with Former Lovers and
Late Fragment, the two previous albums Hernandez released, which relied heavily on electronic production with synthesizers and drum machines. "Tennessee Daydream" does not utilize any digitally manipulated effects, entirely built on real instrumentals, using a traditional band arrangement.
The lyrics of "Tennessee Daydream" were inspired by the time Hernandez has spent in the state over the last few years, and his relationship with Summers, who is a Nashville native herself. Narrated in a first person point of view, Hernandez shares anecdotes about his romantic partner and their life together, in addition to his desire to wanting to keep their love alive through the years that have yet to happen. The song features references to country artists Faith Hill and Shania Twain, as well as a nod to Hernandez's debut single "Your Arms Feel Like Home" and Summers' third studio album
Mantra.
Song CommentaryRyan Ross Hernandez wrote:"There's not a single major record label in the world that would have ever allowed me to release a lead single that includes two guitar solos, or rather no label would have been happy about it. This is the freedom I have now where I don't have to worry about approaching an A&R department or executives to decide what a single should be or not. To me "Tennessee Daydream" is the perfect first peek behind the curtain to Definition of Home. The entire project was recorded in Nashville and utilizing local musicians and engineers. I typically have a very close knit group I always work with when I'm recording, but this time around I wanted to embrace the chaos so to speak. "Tennessee Daydream" was one of the first few songs that were finished for the album when we first set up shop in Nashville."
"I'd describe this song as a pure, unjaded love song with Tennessee serving as its backdrop. In 2012, 2013, when Break in the Clouds and Traveling Tales came out, those records were founded in this folk, singer-songwriter heavy scenes because at the time I got very into the likes of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Carole King. While exploring a different sound now, I feel like the inspiration for "Tennessee Daydream" comes from a similar headspace. I'm lucky enough to live with someone who loves music as much as I do, both crafting it as well as consuming it, there's almost always music being played at our house. She's introduced me to some incredible country records, such as Shania Twain and Faith Hill who both get a small shoutout on this song."
"One of the most frequent complaints I've heard from fans over the years is that I don't play enough guitar on my albums. Which, by the way, every single song I've ever released has guitars in some way or form - but I understand what you all mean. You're talking about the more free spirited guitar playing that I do live. "Tennessee Daydream" provides about as close to that style as I've ever documented on tape and it happened organically. I didn't go into it expecting to have an extended guitar solo but I think it works within the space of the song because it feels very Nashville. It's the type of guitar playing you'll hear if you drop into the Bluebird Cafe on a random night or walk along Broadway with all the country bars and honky tonks with live music."
Critical ReceptionUpon release, "Tennessee Daydream" received near universal acclaim from critics. Writing for Rolling Stone, Anna Walters' described the song as an "important reset" for Hernandez as an artist, calling the shift in sound "effortless and freeing." Pitchfork's Maddie Clark predicted that the song would become both "one of the most memorable love songs of 2025" and a "favorite" among longtime fans of Hernandez. Christopher Jenkins of The Wall Street Journal praised the guitar-playing and singing, while Esquire's Julia Martin noted the production allowed for a more "energetic, if at times cinematic" performance. In Complex, Lauren Mayfield noted that while thematically the lyrics do not drastically change from his past work, they were more "focused and potent" than ever before. In a similar review Variety's Jessie Burrow called the lyrics the song's "weak point", but added that the vocal delivery and production makes up for it "tenfold." Los Angeles Times' Alison Meyer argued that after the better part of two decades spent writing about "love lost, heartbreak, and self-loathing," Hernandez is at his best "in his current form" of a man who is "happy [and] in love."
Abigail Stanton of PopMatters wrote that while Hernandez is not trying to "reinvent the wheel" with his move to country music he "doesn't have to when he delivers such a pleasing earworm." For Entertainment Weekly, Hannah Gardner named "Tennessee Daydream" a "stylistic success" and praised the chorus as "the most catchy" Hernandez has written. Stephen Hurts for The Guardian, complimented the instrumentation and production, describing the song as "monumentally beautiful" and an "effective" love song. Kimberly Wayne for the Associated Press opined that Hernandez was entering the "most exciting" phase of his career thanks to being independent from a record label, and called the single a "monster country song with plenty of crossover appeal." NME's Stacy Wilson highlighted Ellie-Grace Summers' influence as both a muse and sonically for Hernandez, writing, "fans should thank Summers for bringing [Hernandez] back to life", noting the energy when he is inspired by the country-pop singer is "unparalleled" and providing fans with "utterly charming" moments.
"Tennessee Daydream"From the shotgun seat you guide me 'round town
Through the quiet backroads
And the bustling downtown streets
You're singing along to every song that comes on
"Is that Faith or Shania?"
You won't ever let me live it down
That one time I got them mixed up
Your head hanging back laughing
Squeezing my hand with all your strength
As if it were a silent plea
"Please never let go again"
I wouldn't dare, girl
I want you to never stop wanting me
Even when I'm eighty and a drag
And you're a youthful sixty-five
Let me make a home inside of you
Leave the past behind where it belongs
The future is me and you
You're a Tennessee daydream
A true blessing in living color
Down to your core, full of beauty and grace
You'll forever hold that Southern charm
No wonder that you're the only one for me
Would you give me this dance?
We can share the same bed
My chest can serve as your pillow
While your arms feel like homeYou take me back to your parents'
The same house that built you
Sharing every anecdote that comes to mind
Everyone loves Mantra
But I heard all those sayings from your mouth first
Your voice is sweet like honeydew
Your eyes are electric blue
With a hint of mystery for only me to uncover
I told your mother not to worry
Your heart is safe with me now
I'll put my own life on the line if I have to
I want you to never stop wanting me
Even when I'm eighty and a drag
And you're a youthful sixty-five
Let me make a home inside of you
Leave the past behind where it belongs
The future is me and you
You're a Tennessee daydream
A true blessing in living color
Down to your core, full of beauty and grace
You'll forever hold that Southern charm
No wonder that you're the only one for me
Would you give me this dance?
We can share the same bed
My chest can serve as your pillow
While your arms feel like homeNo one could see the mark I left in you
You were always mine
From the very first time
When we laid eyes on each other
All the fools who tried their luck
They were only playing a losing game
You're a Tennessee daydream
A true blessing in living color
Down to your core, full of beauty and grace
You'll forever hold that Southern charm
No wonder that you're the only one for me
Would you give me this dance?
We can share the same bed
My chest can serve as your pillow
While your arms feel like homeYou're a Tennessee daydream
A true blessing in living color
Down to your core, full of beauty and grace
Would you give me this dance?
We can share the same bed
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(OOC: Per usual, thank you to Sean/BrownSugar for the artwork!)
