Tim McGraw’s latest single, “I Called Mama,” is already in the Top 20 and climbing. The song, from Tim’s upcoming new album, is one that he didn’t write, but resonated with him the first time he heard it. Still, it took his wife Faith Hill, and his three daughters –– Gracie, Maggie and Audrey –- to convince him that it could be one of the biggest songs of his career.

“I wanted Faith to hear it, but I didn’t want to play it,” Tim recalled (via The Boot). “It was just a guitar demo or a guitar work tape … I wanted to sing it to her. So I was trying to learn the words to it really quickly so I could sing her just the first verse and chorus.”

Tim tried to perform it for Faith, but wasn’t able to complete it because of his emotions.

“I sat down at the kitchen table and started singing it, and I couldn’t get through it,” Tim recalled. “I got to the chorus, and every time I tried to get to the chorus, I would fall apart on it. She would start crying because I was crying.”

Tim acknowledges that when Faith likes a song, especially one like “I Called Mama,” he feels compelled to record it.

“She was like a hand that weighed in big time on the song,” Tim said. “And so, when she puts her hand on something … it’s hard not to not listen to her for sure.”

Tim’s daughters also approved of the song, which the Louisiana native says is because of the great mother they have in Faith.

“I feel, as a dad, so fortunate that they could look at her, look to her, as a guidepost for their lives and as women,” Tim said. “She’s just a special lady.”

Tim just announced he was canceling his Here on Earth Tour, which was to include Midland and Ingrid Andress. He has yet to announce 2021 tour plans. “I Called Mama” is available for download at TimMcGraw.com.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock/Kathy Hutchins