The Fascinating Story Behind “Where the Wild Things Are,” the Single That Ended Luke Combs’ Hot Streak

Luke Combs started his career with a winning streak. Starting with his debut single “Hurricane” in 2016, every single the North Carolina native released went to No. 1 on either the Billboard Hot Country Songs or Country Airplay chart. Some topped both surveys simultaneously. This streak ended in October 2023 when he released “Where the Wild Things Are” as the third single from his fourth studio album Gettin’ Old. It peaked at No. 4 on Hot Country Songs and No. 3 on Country Airplay.

While “Where the Wild Things Are” missed the top spot on both charts, it was still a hit for Combs. Maybe more importantly, the Randy Montana and Dave Turnbull-penned story song became a favorite among Combs’ fans.

[RELATED: 3 Songs for People Who Say They Don’t Like Luke Combs]

“Where the Wild Things Are” doesn’t just tell an interesting story. There’s also an interesting story behind the song. For instance, it almost went to Eric Church. Additionally, the tragedy in the song bears some striking resemblances to the death of a Hollywood icon.

Eric Church Almost Recorded This Luke Combs Hit

Before releasing the single, Luke Combs and his collaborators Ray Fulcher, Chip Matthews, Rob Williford, Dan Isbell, and Jonathan Singleton sat down with Country Now to discuss the song.

“Where the Wild Things Are” had been floating around Nashville for years before Combs decided to record it. Another Appalachian State alum, Eric Church, almost recorded the song but ended up passing on it.

“At the time, nobody was cutting story songs at all, really. I mean, outside of Eric Church, probably,” Combs said. “He almost cut it,” Isbell added. “I couldn’t believe that song couldn’t land somewhere.”

Based on a Real Tragedy?

“Where the Wild Things Are” tells the story of the narrator’s free-spirited older brother. He wears a black leather jacket, rides an Indian Scout motorcycle, and smokes American Spirit cigarettes. The song conjures imagery akin to the classic image of Rebel Without a Cause star James Dean. The connection goes deeper than that, though.

In the song, the brother meets his end at “half past three” after hitting a guardrail on the California highway. Dean died in a car accident on a California highway when his Porsche Spyder hit a Ford Tudor head-on. The accident happened at 5:45 p.m. However, he had received a speeding ticket at 3:30 p.m. in Bakersfield.

Featured Image by Ben Houdijk