Wish Upon a Whiskey
| "Wish Upon a Whiskey" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Luke Combs | |
| from the album The Way I Am | |
| Released | March 20, 2026 |
| Genre | Country |
| Length | 3:51 |
| Label |
|
| Songwriters |
|
| Producers |
|
"Wish Upon a Whiskey" is a song by American country music singer Luke Combs. It is the eighth track from his sixth studio album, The Way I Am, released on March 20, 2026. Combs co-wrote the song alongside Dan Isbell and Drew Parker and co-produced the song alongside Jonathan Singleton and Chip Matthews.
Background
"Wish Upon a Whiskey" was debuted live on January 31, 2026, in Sydney.[1][2] The song was one of several that had been teased prior to the release of his sixth studio album, The Way I Am, which includes songs like "Rethink Some Things" and "I Ain't No Cowboy".[3][4]
"Wish Upon a Whiskey" is a piano-driven ballad that has Combs do everything he can to get over a breakup, but ultimately decides to find comfort in a bottle of Jack Daniel's, with the album's title being a play on the phrase "wish upon a star".[5][6]
Critical reception and commercial performance
Melinda Newman and Jessica Nicholson of Billboard ranked the song as the fifth-best song from The Way I Am, stating that Combs has "one of the most vulnerable, expressive voices in country and he uses it to great effect on 'Wish Upon a Whiskey'".[7]
"Wish Upon a Whiskey" was one of 14 songs from The Way I Am to chart on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, being the second-highest non-single and debuting at number 34.[8]
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[9]
Musicians
- Luke Combs – lead vocals
- Jerry Roe – drums, percussion
- Mat Maxwell – bass
- Rob McNelley – electric guitar
- Bobby Terry – pedal steel guitar
- Todd Lombardo – acoustic guitar
- Gordon Mote – piano, organ
- Jonathan Singleton – background vocals
- Chip Matthews – background vocals, percussion
Technical
Charts
| Chart (2026) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[10] | 88 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[11] | 11 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[12] | 5 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[13] | 23 |
References
- ↑ Callahan, Erinn (February 1, 2026). "Luke Combs Premieres Heart-Wrenching Ballad in Sydney; Plans to Debut a New Song in Each City Overseas". American Songwriter. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
- ↑ Mower, Maxim (February 3, 2026). "Luke Combs Performs Heartbroken New Unreleased Song, "Wish Upon a Whiskey", in Australia". Holler Country. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
- ↑ Eaton, Quinn (February 2, 2026). "Luke Combs Shares Live Version of Unreleased Song "Wish Upon a Whiskey"". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
- ↑ Brookes, Georgette (February 23, 2026). "Is Luke Combs Teasing "Wish Upon a Whiskey" as His Next Single?". Holler Country. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
- ↑ Young, Casey (February 22, 2026). "Luke Combs Teases Studio Cut of Stone Cold Country Heartbreaker, "Wish Upon a Whiskey"". Whiskey Riff. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
- ↑ Mower, Maxim (March 20, 2026). ""Wish Upon a Whiskey" by Luke Combs - Lyrics & Meaning". Holler Country. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
- ↑ Newman, Melinda; Nicholson, Jessica (March 20, 2026). "Luke Combs' 'The Way I Am': All 22 Tracks Ranked". Billboard. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
- ↑ Punuell, Russ (March 31, 2026). "Luke Combs' The Way I Am Debuts at No. 1 on Top Country Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
- ↑ "The Way I Am / Luke Combs / Credits". Tidal. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
- ↑ "Luke Combs Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
- ↑ "Hot 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. March 27, 2026. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
- ↑ "Luke Combs Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2026.
- ↑ "Luke Combs Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2026.