Corey Kent's Accidental Radio Hit 'Empty Words'

Corey Kent's song "Empty Words" unexpectedly rose to prominence on country radio, gaining significant traction after programmers began playing it without explicit label promotion. This independent support from stations like Bonneville/Denver challenged initial expectations for the track.

The song's genesis traces back to a four-day songwriting retreat held on January 21, 2025, at La Rosa Ranch. Kent collaborated with four writers, including Austin Goodloe, Joybeth Taylor, Matt Roy, and Lydia Vaughan, to craft the hit.

"Empty Words" emerged from a specific creative session where a track with a minor-key verse and a major-key chorus was presented. Kent's prior work with "empty bed" imagery merged effectively with the song's title to form the central hook: "I'm in this empty bed / 'Cause she's over empty words."

The writing process involved detailed lyrical construction, including phrases like "half-heart apologies" for rhythmic effect and conversational elements like talking to walls. The song's structure shifted from a fluid verse to a persistent chorus, emphasizing the protagonist's isolation.

Upon completion, "Empty Words" was recorded, with the demo sung by Matt Roy and later touched up by producer Austin Goodloe. Even a seasoned drummer like Aaron Sterling recognized the instrumental parts as perfect, declining to re-record them.

Remarkably, Corey Kent is currently experiencing a career high with two songs charting simultaneously. "Rocky Mountain Low" sits at No. 4 on the Country Airplay chart, while "Empty Words" is climbing at No. 45, a rare feat for an artist with multiple tracks on the radio concurrently.