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4 out of 5 stars

Luke Combs, The Way I Am [📷: Seven Ridges Records, LLC / Sony Music Entertainment]Country singer-songwriter Luke Combs shines on the sleepless “Sleepless in a Hotel Room,” a single from his sixth studio album, The Way I Am.

“I can hear the lonely howlin’ out my window,”
country singer-songwriter Luke Combs asserts, and adds, “I can feel the whiskey not do anything.” Oh, my!  Those two lyrics from the first verse of “Sleepless in a Hotel Room” set the tone.  This intriguing, minor-key country single is the 13th track from Combs’s sixth studio album, The Way I Am (arrives March 20, 2026). Combs penned “Sleepless in a Hotel Room” with Jonathan Singleton and Randy Montana. Combs produced the track with Singleton and Chip Matthews.

“Sleepless in a Hotel Room” cooks for many reasons.  It begins with the sound, countrified musical accompaniment.  The backdrop is on fire, thanks to the colorful, rhythmic plucked and strummed strings and the assertive drums. Beyond the solid foundation, the star of the show is Luke Combs, who impresses with his dynamic, expressive, and nuanced vocals.  Combs brings the melodies alive.  They are tuneful from start to finish.  Maintaining engagement, there is a sizable contrast between the verses and the chorus. How does the chorus separate itself? It’s gargantuan – go big or go home, baby! The chorus is the crème de la crème – the section to beat:

“The morning light can’t come too soon

Lyin’ here not next to you

Wide awake, I dream of you

Sleepless in a hotel room.”

The post-chorus is notable, too: “Woah-oh-awoah-woah-oh-awoah.” Woo! Following the second post-chorus, there is a sweet electric guitar solo. The bridge follows, contrasting the verses and the chorus. “Our four walls are painted blue,” Combs sings, and concludes, “Sleepless in a hotel room / A thousand miles past missin’ you.” All told, Luke Combs brings it on “Sleepless in a Hotel Room”.  No, it’s not an innovative country song, but it is an enjoyable one without question.

4 out of 5 stars


Luke Combs » The Way I Am » Seven Ridges Records, LLC / Sony Music Entertainment » 3.20.26
[📷: Seven Ridges Records, LLC / Sony Music Entertainment]

 


the musical hype

The Musical Hype (he/him) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education and music theory/composition, respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Music and writing are two of the most important parts of his life.

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