Kane Brown Cried When He Wrote This Painful New Song [Listen]

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Kane Brown Opens Up About the Heartbreaking Inspiration Behind “When You Forget”

Kane Brown’s new album The High Road features 18 tracks that explore love, family, and personal growth — but only one song brought the country superstar to tears while writing it. That emotional final track, titled “When You Forget,” is a deeply personal tribute to Brown’s grandfather, who is currently battling Alzheimer’s disease.

Taking to Instagram, Brown shared a heartfelt message alongside a photo of his grandparents, explaining how his grandfather’s struggle inspired the touching ballad. “The hardest working man I know and will ever know! I hope I can be half the man he is today,” Brown wrote. “This is the only song on the album that brought some tears writing. He’s been forgetting some things lately — it’s a terrible disease — and I hope everyone going through the same thing my family and I are can relate to this song.”

He closed the post with a simple but powerful note: “I love you, pepaw.”

Known for pouring his personal experiences into his music, Brown has written songs for family members before. But “When You Forget” hits especially close to home. The song’s heartfelt lyrics paint a vivid picture of love, loss, and gratitude:

“You’re still our hero, you’re still the man / Hell of a father and a damn good friend / You can fix any problem with a wrench or some words / The backbone of our family in the front of that church…”

The track also holds deep meaning for Brown’s grandmother — his “Nana” — who has been by his grandfather’s side for decades. In a recent interview with Holler, Brown recalled the emotional moment he told her about the song. “Getting to call my Nana and tell her that we were going to write a song about him, you could hear her tearing up over the phone,” he shared.

Released just last week, The High Road has already been praised for its emotional depth and honesty. Alongside “When You Forget,” the album includes two new duets with his wife, Katelyn Brown, continuing the couple’s musical partnership that fans have come to love.

With “When You Forget,” Brown offers more than just a song — it’s a love letter to his family and a message of comfort to anyone watching a loved one fade away due to Alzheimer’s. The track reminds listeners to hold tight to memories, cherish family bonds, and celebrate the people who shape who we are.

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