An unfulfilled love story full of broken hearts and reflection, Charlie Rogers goes fully personal with his incredible sentimental country ballad single “When He Was Me”. Determined to hit us right in the hearts, Charlie Rogers impresses both vocally and lyrically, to the extent that we can’t just listen to this song just once, we have to play it a second and a third time, every single time we hear it. The release of this new single marks his first release of 2023 and acts as the follow-up to his single “Just Another Late Night”.
Charlie Rogers, an Oregon-born artist raised in Kansas and now based in Nashville, emerges as a genre-defying country singer-songwriter who transcends conventional boundaries. With a childhood marked by a profound connection to music, he has matured into a captivating storyteller whose genuine sound bridges gaps and resonates with diverse audiences. Charlie Rogers’ distinctive ability to weave narratives through his lyrics and textured musicality sets him apart. His journey has led him to share the stage with notable acts like Brothers Osborne, Russell Dickerson, and Janelle Arthur, and he has performed at CMA honors ceremonies honouring legends such as Charley Pride and Ricky Skaggs. Fueled by a desire to amplify often-unheard voices, Charlie Rogers masterfully creates music that fosters connection, exemplified by his independent release “Just Another Late Night”, which amassed over 120k Spotify streams and found a place on global airwaves. With his latest release, “When He Was Me”, a poignant ballad co-penned by Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay, Charlie Rogers’ journey continues to redefine contemporary country while honouring the timeless power of authentic storytelling and musical craftsmanship.
Written by Shay Mooney and Benjy Davis, whilst it was produced by Joshua Gleave, “When He Was Me” is a heart-filled country ballad that sees Charlie Rogers reflect on his past in a sentimental way. The poignant lyrics take listeners on a vivid journey about lost love and letting someone slip right on by and then living with a broken heart. It’s a highly relatable story that is conveyed incredibly by Charlie Rogers’ emotive vocals that are filled with that heartbreak passion, showcasing how he has effortlessly connected with the track itself. The country ballad has a soft backing track that evokes the strong emotions needed for the song, while prominent drum beats fuel the fire creating a flowing rhythm that helps to spread the heartbroken message of the song. The awesome drum sections were credited to Kelly Clarkson’s longtime drummer, Lester Estelle Jr.
“‘When He Was Me’ was one of those songs that struck me instantly. I remember vividly the moment that I first heard it and the feeling of being enraptured by this song that so eloquently drew up so many poignant pictures of love lost from my own past,” explains Charlie Rogers. “I think that Davis and Mooney really captured the spirit and the remorse of living with a broken heart that still hasn’t fully mended and being forced to live with the would’ve, could’ve, should’ve’s of losing your person and feeling like you’ve let your one chance at real love slip through your hands.”
Stream “When He Was Me” by Charlie Rogers on Spotify here:
“When He Was Me”, by Charlie Rogers, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via CIR Music Group.