Florida Georgia Line wrote and recorded "Cruise" with Ryan Tedder

"Cruise" was written by Florida Georgia Line (the duo of Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley), along with Ryan Tedder, who is the lead singer of OneRepublic. Tedder co-wrote the song and also produced it. The track was released in 2012 as the lead single from Florida Georgia Line's debut album Here's to the Good Times.

The song became one of the biggest country hits of the 2010s. It spent 24 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and crossed over to mainstream radio success. The track's appeal came partly from its crossover production style — Tedder's pop sensibility mixed with country instrumentation and vocals — which helped it reach audiences beyond traditional country radio.

Florida Georgia Line and Ryan Tedder had worked together before "Cruise," and their collaboration on this track proved to be a turning point for the band's career. The song's success launched Florida Georgia Line into mainstream recognition and established them as one of the defining acts of modern country music.

Key Takeaways

  • Florida Georgia Line's Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley co-wrote "Cruise" with Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic.
  • Ryan Tedder also produced the track, bringing his pop production informed to the country song.
  • The song was released in 2012 as the lead single from Florida Georgia Line's debut album.
  • "Cruise" spent 24 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and became a crossover hit.

Ryan Tedder's role as producer and co-writer

Ryan Tedder brought more than songwriting to "Cruise" — he shaped the song's sound as its producer. His background in pop music production gave the track a polished, radio-friendly quality that helped it appeal to listeners who might not typically listen to country music. Tedder's production choices, including the song's rhythm and instrumentation, were central to making "Cruise" stand out on country radio in 2012.

Tedder has produced and written for many major artists across multiple genres, including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Maroon 5. His work on "Cruise" showed that country music could benefit from outside production perspectives. The collaboration between a country duo and a pop producer became a model that other country artists would follow in the years after "Cruise" became a hit.

How "Cruise" became a crossover success

The song's writing and production made it accessible to both country and pop audiences. The lyrics focus on a straightforward, relatable scenario — a summer night and a romantic moment — rather than heavy country themes. This universal subject matter, combined with the polished production, meant the song could be played on pop, country, and rhythmic radio formats simultaneously.

The crossover appeal also came from the song's structure and melody. Tedder's influence is audible in the song's pop-leaning chord progressions and the way the vocals are layered. At the same time, Florida Georgia Line's delivery and the acoustic guitar elements kept the country identity intact. This balance between genres is part of why "Cruise" became one of the most commercially successful country songs of its era.

Florida Georgia Line's background before "Cruise"

Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley formed Florida Georgia Line in 2010, just two years before "Cruise" was released. The duo came from different parts of the country — Hubbard from Georgia and Kelley from Florida — which inspired their name. Before "Cruise," they had released some music independently, but the song marked their official entry into the mainstream country music industry.

The timing of "Cruise" worked in their favor. The early 2010s were a period when country music was becoming more pop-influenced, and audiences were open to artists who blended genres. Florida Georgia Line's fresh sound and the song's when ready radio success meant they didn't have to spend years building a regional following before breaking nationally.

The song's chart performance and legacy

Beyond its 24-week run at number one on the Hot Country Songs chart, "Cruise" also reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100, the main pop chart. This dual success was unusual for a country song at the time and proved that the genre could produce genuine crossover hits. The song was certified multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), reflecting millions of downloads and streams.

"Cruise" became a template for country-pop crossovers that followed. Other artists and producers took note of how Florida Georgia Line and Ryan Tedder had crafted a song that worked in multiple formats. The track's influence can be heard in country songs released throughout the 2010s that adopted similar production styles and pop sensibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Ryan Tedder perform on "Cruise"?

No, Ryan Tedder did not perform vocals on the track. He wrote and produced the song, but Florida Georgia Line provided all the vocals. Tedder's contribution was behind the scenes in the songwriting and production process.

Has "Cruise" won any major awards?

Yes, "Cruise" won the Academy of Country Music Award for Song of the Year in 2013. The song also received multiple nominations at other major country music awards shows, reflecting its impact on the industry.

Are there any remixes or alternate versions of "Cruise"?

There have been several versions of "Cruise" released over the years, including remixes with other artists. The most notable is a remix featuring Justin Timberlake, which was released in 2013 and brought additional pop star power to the already successful track.

What album is "Cruise" on?

"Cruise" appears on Florida Georgia Line's debut studio album Here's to the Good Times, released in 2012. The album's success was largely driven by the massive popularity of "Cruise," which was released as the lead single.