You've heard it a thousand times. That jangly acoustic guitar intro kicks in, and suddenly you’re thinking about sunglasses, tailgates, and "brand new Chevy" trucks. It’s unavoidable. "Cruise" didn't just top the charts; it basically redefined what country music sounded like for an entire decade. But when people ask who wrote the song cruise, they usually expect a simple answer. They want one name. Or maybe just the two guys in the hats.
The reality is a lot more crowded.
It wasn’t just Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard sitting on a porch. This was a lightning-strike moment in a Nashville writing room that involved five different people, a lot of luck, and a beat that almost didn't happen. Honestly, if you look at the credits, it’s a masterclass in how modern hits are actually manufactured—part inspiration, part sweat, and a whole lot of fine-tuning.
The Room Where It Happened
Back in 2012, Florida Georgia Line wasn't a household name. They were just two guys trying to find a "vibe." On the day "Cruise" was born, they were writing with Joey Moi, Chase Rice, and Jesse Rice.
Chase Rice is a name you probably recognize now. He's a star in his own right. But back then? He was just another hungry songwriter in town. Jesse Rice (no relation to Chase, funny enough) was also in the mix. Joey Moi, the producer who later became famous for giving FGL that "rock" edge, rounded out the group.
They weren't trying to change the world.
They were just trying to write something fun. Joey Moi has talked about this in various interviews, noting that the goal was simplicity. The song actually started with that infectious "Baby you a song" hook. It’s a bit of a cliché now, sure. But at the time, that specific blend of rural imagery and pop-structure felt electric.
The Chase Rice Connection
It’s wild to think about, but Chase Rice’s involvement is often the part people forget. He brought a certain grit to the lyrics. You can hear his influence in the storytelling—the specific details about the "black bikini top" and the "back window cranked down." It’s that vivid, summer-fling imagery that sticks in your brain.
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Chase has often joked in interviews about how that song basically bought him his first house. It’s the "gift that keeps on giving" in the publishing world. When you contribute to a Diamond-certified single, you aren't just a songwriter anymore; you’re part of music history.
Why the Credits Are So Long
In the old days of Nashville, you’d have one or two writers. Think Dolly Parton or Willie Nelson. Now? It’s a team sport.
- Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard: They provided the core "FGL" identity. They knew how they wanted to sing it, focusing on those tight harmonies that became their signature.
- Joey Moi: He’s the architect. While he’s credited as a writer, his biggest contribution was the "sonics." He’s the one who insisted on the heavy drums and the polished, almost hip-hop-influenced timing.
- Jesse Rice and Chase Rice: They provided the lyrical backbone. They filled in the gaps that turned a catchy melody into a relatable story.
It’s a collective. If any one of those five people hadn't been in the room that Tuesday, the song probably would’ve sucked. Or at least, it wouldn't have been that song.
The Nelly Factor: A Second Wave of Credits
We can't talk about who wrote the song cruise without mentioning the remix. That’s where things get legally complicated and incredibly lucrative.
When the original country version blew up, it was already a monster. But then Nelly hopped on the track. This wasn't just a guest verse; it was a total reimagining. Nelly added his own flare, and suddenly, a whole new set of "writing" contributions (even if unofficial in the core composition) entered the conversation regarding the song's legacy.
The remix is what pushed the song into the stratosphere. It bridged the gap between Nashville and Top 40 radio. It made Florida Georgia Line acceptable to people who claimed they hated country music.
The Technical Brilliance of a "Simple" Song
People love to hate on "Bro-Country." They call it "math-rock for people who like trucks." And honestly? They aren't entirely wrong. But there is a genuine science to why "Cruise" works so well.
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The song sits at a comfortable mid-tempo pace. It’s not a ballad, but it’s not a floor-filler either. It’s "driving music." The chord progression is incredibly standard—mostly variations of G, D, Em, and C—which makes it instantly familiar to the human ear.
$$\text{Chord Progression} \approx \text{I} - \text{V} - \text{vi} - \text{IV}$$
This is the "Golden Ratio" of pop music. It creates a sense of resolution and comfort. When you pair that with the syncopated vocal delivery Tyler Hubbard uses in the verses, you get something that feels fresh even though it’s using the oldest tricks in the book.
Misconceptions About the Lyrics
There’s a common myth that the song was written about a specific girl from Florida or Georgia.
Not really.
It was more of a "vibe check." The writers have admitted they were just pulling from general memories of being young and having nothing to do but drive around. It’s an idealized version of the American South. The "Chevy" mention wasn't even a paid product placement initially; it just sounded better than "Ford" in that specific line. Sometimes, the best songwriting is just choosing the word that feels "right" in your mouth.
The Legacy of the 2012 Sessions
"Cruise" went on to become the first country song to ever be certified Diamond by the RIAA. That means 10 million units moved.
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Think about that.
Ten million.
The writers—Kelley, Hubbard, Moi, and the two Rices—didn't just write a song; they wrote a retirement plan. But they also changed the industry. After "Cruise," every label in Nashville started looking for "the next FGL." They wanted that "Cruise" sound. It led to a decade of music that many purists hated, but the fans absolutely devoured.
It also proved that the "writer's room" model works. In a city where "co-writing" is the law of the land, "Cruise" is the ultimate success story. It’s proof that five heads are often better than one when you’re trying to capture lightning in a bottle.
How to Dig Deeper into the Credits
If you're an aspiring songwriter or just a music nerd, there are a few ways to really see the breakdown of how these hits come together.
- Check the BMI/ASCAP Databases: You can look up the "Work ID" for "Cruise" and see the exact percentage splits if you're lucky. It shows exactly who owns what piece of the pie.
- Listen to the "Naked" Demos: Occasionally, early demos of "Cruise" surface on YouTube or in documentaries. Listening to the song before Joey Moi got his hands on it is an education in production. It was much more "traditional" country before it became the polished beast we know.
- Follow the Writers: Look at what Jesse Rice and Chase Rice have done since. You'll see "Cruise" DNA in a lot of their subsequent work.
The song wasn't a fluke. It was the result of five specific people hitting a groove at the exact right moment in music history. It’s a reminder that even the simplest-sounding songs often have a complex army of talent standing behind them.
The next time you’re driving with the windows down and that hook starts playing, you'll know it wasn't just a couple of guys in a truck. It was a calculated, brilliant, and slightly lucky collaboration that changed the face of modern music.
To truly understand the impact of these writers, your next step should be listening to the original acoustic demo versus the Nelly remix. You can clearly hear where the "Nashville" writing ends and the "Global Pop" production begins, giving you a front-row seat to how a hit is actually engineered for the masses.