Studio Album · No. 2
Tougher Songwriting Credits by Lainey Wilson
Produced by Frank Foster
Holds writing credit on 10 of 10 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 10 / 10 documented
Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Lainey Wilson carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Tougher shows Lainey Wilson's co-writing habit already fully formed: she has a writing credit on all ten tracks, almost always paired with one collaborator, most often Greg Friia. The only feature is Frank Foster, who also produced, joining her on 'Where My House Stood.' Every song carries her pen, an early sign of the writing-first identity that defines her catalog.
Tougher is the second studio album by Lainey Wilson, released in April 2016 on Lone Chief Records before her major-label breakthrough. Produced by country singer Frank Foster, it leans into a traditional country sound and reflects her early Nashville grind as a working songwriter. Wilson co-wrote every track on the album, usually with a single collaborator, while Foster guests on the closing 'Where My House Stood.' The album reached number 44 on the Top Country Albums chart and offers an early showcase of the writing-first approach that would define her later career.
Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Gravel
|
Lainey WilsonBryan Bayley | Lainey Denay WilsonBryan Bayley | Frank Foster | Lainey Wilson (Lead Vocals) |
| 2 |
Caught on Fire
|
Lainey WilsonGreg Friia | Lainey Denay WilsonGreg Friia | Frank Foster | Lainey Wilson (Lead Vocals) |
| 3 |
Indian Giver
|
Lainey WilsonGreg Friia | Lainey Denay WilsonGreg Friia | Frank Foster | Lainey Wilson (Lead Vocals) |
| 4 |
I Make Myself
|
Lainey WilsonGreg Friia | Lainey Denay WilsonGreg Friia | Frank Foster | Lainey Wilson (Lead Vocals) |
| 5 |
Two Sides of Bad
|
Lainey WilsonScott Moffatt | Lainey Denay WilsonScott Moffatt | Frank Foster | Lainey Wilson (Lead Vocals) |
| 6 |
One Night Stand
|
Lainey WilsonMaxfield CampJames McNair | Lainey Denay WilsonMaxfield CampJames McNair | Frank Foster | Lainey Wilson (Lead Vocals) |
| 7 |
Let Me Be Your Jesus
|
Lainey WilsonGreg Friia | Lainey Denay WilsonGreg Friia | Frank Foster | Lainey Wilson (Lead Vocals) |
| 8 |
Bright Side
|
Lainey WilsonEvan Thompson | Lainey Denay WilsonEvan Thompson | Frank Foster | Lainey Wilson (Lead Vocals) |
| 9 |
Tougher
|
Lainey WilsonForest Glen Whitehead | Lainey Denay WilsonForest Glen Whitehead | Frank Foster | Lainey Wilson (Lead Vocals) |
| 10 |
Where My House Stood
|
Lainey WilsonKyndon Oaks | Lainey Denay WilsonKyndon Oaks | Frank Foster | Lainey Wilson (Lead Vocals)Frank Foster (Featured Vocals) |