Country rocker Ben Gallaher is back with a bang. His brand-new EP Bullet, out today via Stone Country Records, is a hard-hitting collection that explores themes of love, resilience, and life on the open road. With over 28 million streams since his 2023 debut Country in the House, Gallaher cements his status as a rising force in country music.
The five-track EP includes the electrifying title track “Bullet,” the gritty anthem “Dirt Ones,” and the introspective “Mistakes,” plus two previously-released tracks: “Kinda Can’t Say No” and a faithful cover of Bryan Adams’ classic “Cuts Like a Knife.”
I caught up with Gallaher to dive into the stories behind Bullet, his approach to covering iconic songs, and what fans can expect next.
Writing a Song with Deep Personal Meaning
The EP’s title track holds special significance for Gallaher, who co-wrote “Bullet” with Chris August, Kelley Lovelace, and Neil Thrasher and was written about his wife, Monica. “Bullet is one of my favorite songs that I have ever written. And on my last project, I had a song called “Roots Grow Down” that I wrote for her as well. And so this project, Bullet, I wrote for her. And then when we had River, who’s eight months now, that song took a whole new meaning to it.”
The song’s high-powered guitar riffs and sweeping 6/8 rhythm build on a foundation of deep emotion, creating a track that’s both a rock ballad and a heartfelt promise.
The Creative Process Behind “Bullet”
Gallaher recalls the magic of the songwriting session that brought “Bullet” to life. They had just met in the writing room, searching for the right concept, when the idea for “Bullet” emerged. He mentioned his long-standing appreciation for one-word titles and how they unexpectedly transformed it into a love song, which he felt was a positive surprise. He described the entire process, from a simple voice memo to a full band recording, as incredible. Gallaher knew immediately it was special, but it was during the recording process that he truly felt the song landed exactly as it should.
“So that song has a very special place in my heart, and I mean, that’s why we named the EP Bullet,” he said.
Covering a Classic: “Cuts Like a Knife”
Covering Bryan Adams’ “Cuts Like a Knife” was both a tribute and a nod to the timeless sound of ’80s rock. He explained that when a song is that iconic, you don’t want to mess with it too much. “I mean, I have my stamp on it, but we did not deviate too far from the original. On purpose. Recording that song was really a tribute and a nod to a timeless era of music.”
He said it was really cool to see the reactions from people who grew up with that song, experiencing a sense of nostalgia. But he also found it amazing to introduce a younger generation, who might never have heard it before, to a great era of music. He added that getting the whole crowd to sing along live was awesome.
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What’s Next for Ben Gallaher?
Beyond the release of Bullet, Gallaher is keeping busy with even more music and road dates. “We’re in the middle of making a full-length project right now,” he reveals. Gallaher is also looking forward to hitting the road. “One of my favorite things to do is get out there and play these songs in person and connect with the listeners. I mean, I feel like that’s what country music is about.” He also mentioned there will be a video for “Bullet” in the near future.
Ben Gallaher’s EP Bullet is available now on all streaming platforms. Catch him on tour this year to hear these powerful songs live.
