“American Idol” season 23 contestant Baylee Littrell released his new single “Hey Jesus” on June 24. Littrell debuted the song while on “Idol” in a bold move to perform an original track versus a cover.
Littrell, who made it to the top 20 before being eliminated, wasn’t sure how far he’d get on the show, and wanted to use his time in the spotlight to introduce fans to his faith. “I thought, I might as well hopefully try to bring some people to God while I’m here,” Littrell shared with CCM Magazine.
Although Littrell was eager to perform “Hey Jesus” on the “Idol” stage, he admitted to being a little unsure about his choice. But some sage advice from his mother reassured him. “I was afraid to ruffle feathers … but my mom told me, ‘This is your journey. Ruffle any feathers you need to,’” the singer explained.
The Inspiration Behind ‘Hey Jesus’
When Littrell performed “Hey Jesus” on “Idol” it left the judges in tears. Littrell dedicated the song to his late grandmother, but he now says the song was inspired by something else. The singer revealed that he has a “whole separate song” about his grandmother, and that “Hey Jesus” is about his own experiences with faith.
“I wrote it in a very dark time in my life,” Littrell explained. “A big common misconception is that God won’t let us fall down. That’s part of the journey, that’s part of learning …” The singer, who is now 22 years old, wrote “Hey Jesus” when he was 19 and experiencing personal and creative struggles.
Littrell described feeling a presence telling him to write something “useful,” and then the lyrics came easily. “And that’s when I knew … this is not meant for me, this is meant for everyone to hear,” he shared.
How Having a Famous Father Has Affected Littrell’s Career
Littrell’s father is none other than Brian Littrell of the iconic boy band “The Backstreet Boys.” While it may seem that would give him a leg up in the music industry, it has actually worked against the fledgling artist.
During his time on “Idol,” Littrell dealt with criticism from viewers who thought of him as a “nepo baby.” He’s also had a hard time getting out from under his father’s shadow within the music industry at large. “… people would try to sign me to a record label and then they’d find out where I come from and … they’d ghost me, never talk to me again.”
With “Hey Jesus” and an upcoming album, Littrell will likely catch the ear of even more fans and gain him respect as an artist in his own right.
