How Jimmie Allen's new song 'Down Home' honors his late father

Jimmie Allen is leaning into sentimentality on "Down Home," the lead single from his forthcoming third studio album.

The country singer, 36, shared a preview of the track on Facebook in December 2020. He said the song serves as a letter to his late father, James, who passed away from kidney failure at the age of 65 in 2019.

The lyrics of "Down Home" reference the many ways Allen's family lived "down home" in his native Delaware, from his mom cooking grits to the now Nashville-based singer hustling for his music dreams.

"I hate that you're gone/ I wish you were here/ But I hope I'm making you proud 'cause I know you're up there/ Looking down home," Allen sings over a melody accented by steel guitar.

“It's a song that's actually helped me a lot because in the midst of missing my father, I think about him seeing everything I've got going on and it's like ... even though he's gone, he's always with me," Allen explained of "Down Home" in a press release, calling it "one of the most special songs" he's written.

He continued, "I hope this song finds its place in the world and this song helps people that have lost not only a father, or a parent, or a loved one just like the song has helped me.”

"Down Home" will officially be released on March 8, with a music video arriving March 18. It follows Allen's most recent No. 1 hit, "Freedom Was a Highway," featuring Brad Paisley.

"Down Home" is also the name of Allen's headlining tour that's currently underway.