Sam Hunt and Ingrid Andress may be two very different performers, but they've always had a couple things in common: a fascination with genre-bending music and a mutual love of heartbreak songs. With the release of their new duet, "Wishful Drinking," the pair are tying all their common interests together.

"I've never done anything like "Wishful Drinking" before," reveals Andress, whose 2020 debut major-label studio album, Lady Like, earned her three Grammy nominations.

"I've always wanted to work with Sam and been such a fan of his for a long time. I admire how he stays so true to himself and am so happy to have him join me for my first collaboration," she continues. "The song was co-written by my friend JP Saxe, and it became this amazing sad bop, which we all know I love."

Hunt isn't a co-writer on the song, but he felt compelled to sing on it anyway — and that's a rarity for him, the "Hard to Forget" star admitted during a recent conversation about "Wishful Drinking" the two singers had with Kelleigh Bannen on Apple Music 1. Though he's not opposed to singing on a song he didn't write on principle, Hunt clarifies, he often finds it difficult to connect to songs that he didn't have a hand in creating.

This song was different, though. "It's usually the people involved in the song, too ... the writers, my connection to Ingrid, being a fan, and then meeting her and hitting it off and getting to experience her heart firsthand," he notes.

Plus, Hunt says he can "100-percent relate" to Andress' love of "sad bops." He agrees, "They're my favorites."

Along with the new song, Hunt and Andress also dropped a music video for "Wishful Drinking" on Monday (Aug. 2), which centers around Andress' love of '70s cult classic films and the fashion associated with them. Filmed at the Flamingo Cocktail Club — and eccentric, pink neon-splashed Nashville venue — the clip finds Andress and Hunt each separately nursing their heartaches at a bar before finally coming together onstage for a performance:

Ingrid Andress and Sam Hunt, "Wishful Drinking" Lyrics:

Ingrid Andress: Maybe I'm just wishful drinking / Give my heart something to sink in / Better make it two, nothing I won't do / For another round of me and you ...

I know it's a shot in the dark / Looking for what's left of the spark / Throwin' 'em back like I got nothing to lose / It's a slow burn, just like you / Everybody says, "Give it time" / But I'm feeling like I'm stuck on rewind / Throwin' 'em back like I got nothing to love / It's a slow burn, just like you ...

When I'm a couple in, I get optimistic / Like you and me are realistic ...

Chorus:

Maybe I'm just wishful drinking / Give my heart something to sink in / Better make it two, nothing I won't do / For another round of me and you / I get hopeful when I'm tipsy / Thinking you might actually miss me / It's 100 proof, nothing I won't do / For another round of me and you / I'm wishful drinking ...

Sam Hunt: With every sip, I'm gettin' close / To thinkin' that we ain't really over / I know it ain't right, but, baby, just for tonight / I don't wanna have no closure ...

When I'm a couple in, I get optimistic / Like you and me are realistic ...

Repeat Chorus

Ingrid Andress and Sam Hunt: I'm tracing your footprints through my memories / Trying to find where we went wrong / Replacing the space you left with new things / Nothing I try lasts long ...

Repeat Chorus

Top Country Songs of 2021, Ranked

You'll find much more than just the Top 10 Country Songs of 2021 on this list.

Our team has sourced fans to create 10 superlatives for this mid-year version of the year-end songs list. Best Country Tearjerker? Best Country Baby-Maker? Best Country Breakup Song of 2021? Keith Urban, Carly Pearce, Chris Bandi and more help make up this portion of the Top Country Songs list, while hitmakers like Thomas Rhett and Little Big Town lead the 10 best songs portion.

Did your favorite song of 2021 make this list? To be considered, the song must have been released in 2021 or have actively charted for a portion of the year (see "Wine, Beer, Whiskey"). New artists including Lainey Wilson, Breland and Triston Marez crack the Top 10. Let us know your favorite song of 2021 at Twitter or email, at staff@tasteofcountry.com.

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