Back in January, Arista Records/Monument Records unveiled "The Card You Gamble," the opening theme for Fox's new country music drama, Monarch. Originally slated to debut on Jan. 30, the TV series premieres Sun., Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. EST.
The Monarch theme song was recorded by country singer-songwriter Caitlyn Smith. Lyrics about palpable heartbreak were written by The Love Junkies: the Nashville dream team of Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose. It was co-produced by Peer Aström and three-time Grammy award nominee and series executive music producer Adam Anders.
"The Love Junkies wrote an amazing song that encompasses the themes of our show both lyrically and musically but stands on its own legs," shared Anders in a press release. "Caitlyn's voice perfectly matches the sonic landscape that Peer and I wanted to create."
Smith, who's got acting ambitions of her own, told Wide Open Country and other outlets at an Aug. 20 press event that she's "very grateful to be a part" of the series, which stars Trace Adkins, Anna Friel and Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon.
"It's a such a cool show that really embodies the spirit of country music and obviously adds a little drama, which is extra fun to watch," Smith shared.
Adding to the canon of TV theme songs checks off a bucket list item for someone raised on '90s pop culture.
"I grew up a child of Disney and Nickelodeon, and I memorized every single theme song there ever was," Smith said. "To finally have the opportunity to be part of a television show in this way is definitely a dream come true."
Smith, who's written songs cut by the likes of Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks and Jason Aldean, teased further involvement in the series' original soundtrack (OST).
"I love writing for television and film because you're giving more parameters as a writer to fit within the script, to fit within the story or the emotion," she explained. "It's more of a challenge, which I love. Like I said, I grew up watching all of these musical films. It truly is a dream to now put myself in [the role of] let's say Elton John writing for Lion King."
Expect a "The Card You Gamble" music video soon as Fox ramps up a promotional campaign that's already brought us Adkins' cover of Hank Williams Jr'.'s "A Country Boy Can Survive" and Friel's "American Cowgirl."
"One thing I'm very excited about is we filmed the music video for 'The Card You Gamble' at the Brambles, which is the mansion that [lead characters the Roman family] live at," Smith added. "It was very exciting to wander around this massive mansion and get to shoot the video there. It was before I had even seen any scenes, and it was an empty set. It was a spectacular adventure, for sure."
