Hear Levi Hummon’s Ed Sheeran-Inspired New Song ‘Don’t Waste the Night’
Last year, Nashville native Levi Hummon made Rolling Stone Country‘s 10 New Country Artists You Need to Know list on the strength of his pop-heavy take on contemporary country. Now he’s back with a new single, “Don’t Waste the Night,” that showcases the best of his pop sensibilities.
The earnest earworm has shades of Ed Sheeran and even Justin Bieber, tying pop radio-worthy verses to an intricate, layered chorus that subtly reflects Hummon’s country roots. Echoes of Sheeran were no accident, as Hummon cites the “Shape of You” artist as a major influence on the song.
“I remember as I was heading to the writing session for ‘Don’t Waste The Night,’ I was scrolling through radio stations and heard an Ed Sheeran song that had this really mesmerizing beat and melody,” Hummon tells Rolling Stone Country. “I wanted the song to have that same effect, where it can make you dance, but you can also get lost in the melody.
Despite its contemporary pop influences, Hummon wrote “Don’t Waste the Night” with a couple of Nashville tunesmiths – Josh Thompson and Matt Dragstrem.
“It was such an amazing Nashville moment because my cowriters, Josh Thompson, and Matt Dragstrem, were totally willing to go there with me,” he explains. “I quickly added the song to live set and it stood out as a crowd favorite night in and night out. I’m so proud to be able to call it my single.”
“Don’t Waste the Night” is available April 28th. Hummon will play Stagecoach on April 30th, with a handful of tour dates and festival stops scheduled through mid-summer.