Gabby Barrett shared a “sensitive” reflection of her role as a mother while “also trying to figure out life myself,” in her early 20s. The country songstress debuted “Growin’ Up Raising You,” from her highly-anticipated forthcoming album, on Friday (November 10).
Barrett, 23, shared a sweet childhood photo with her own mother as she spoke about what it means to her to raise her three children. She and husband Cade Foehner, 27, met as contestants on American Idol in 2018, and got married the following year. They welcomed firstborn child, daughter Baylah May, on January 18, 2021, followed by son Augustine Boone on October 27, 2022. Earlier this year, Barrett announced she’s pregnant with Baby No. 3. She confirmed with PEOPLE at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards in September that she’s expecting another girl, due in February 2024.
Barrett’s newly-released ballad is from her upcoming sophomore album, which is also due in February. She credited songwriters Jon Nite, Zach Kale and Jimmy Robbins with “knowing how to pull words out of the soul,” as she introduced her fans to “Growin’ Up Raising You.”
“’Growin’ Up Raising You’ is a very sensitive song for me, I would say. It talks about exactly what the title says, ‘Growin’ Up Raising You,’” Barrett said.” I’m only 23. I don’t have all the answers to everything. I have not got everything figured out. I am doing the best that I can, while trying to raise other people to be the best people that they can be. And so, it’s just so interesting and I feel so blessed to be able to have three little lives that I can help to flourish in life while I am also trying to figure out life myself.”
“This song was specifically written about my first born daughter, Baylah,” Barrett shared in her caption on Instagram on Friday. “I’ve learned so much over the past few years watching my babies grow & I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Growin’ Up Raising You” is the latest song to release from Barrett’s soon-to-debut era of music, following “Cowboy Back,” and “Glory Days.” The American Idol alum revealed over the weekend that her next album, Chapter & Verse, will be out on February 2, 2024. It follows her debut full-length project, Goldmine, in 2020, which included smash-hits “I Hope” (including a version featuring Charlie Puth), “Footprints On The Moon,” “The Good Ones” and other highlights. The deluxe edition followed in 2021, adding the George Strait nod in “Pick Me Up,” the wedding version of “The Good Ones” and other new tracks. Listen to “Growin’ Up Raising You” here: