Riley Green’s “Worst Way” Hits No. 1 — With a Steamy Video and a Cereal Cameo
Riley Green’s latest No. 1 hit, “Worst Way,” isn’t just heating up the charts—it’s turning heads thanks to its sultry music video and an unexpectedly hilarious breakfast scene that Green says was inspired by his real life.
The video follows a whirlwind romance between Green and the female lead, culminating in a quieter kitchen moment: she’s perched on the counter in red lingerie and his jacket, while he lounges in a bathrobe and backwards cap, casually eating cereal. According to Green, this wasn’t a stretch to film.
“My friends make fun of me because I eat cereal all day,” Green shared with his label. “Cinnamon Toast Crunch is probably the best, but I try to be healthier now—so I go for Honey Bunches of Oats.”
He added that the cereal wasn’t just a prop. “We had to reshoot it a few times, and I ended up eating four bowls.”
A Dash of Humor in a Steamy Scene
The kitchen moment wasn’t originally part of the concept. Green says the first music video treatment made him “want to crawl under the table” because of how seriously romantic it was. Looking to add some levity, he took inspiration from Kevin Costner’s character in Bull Durham, particularly a laid-back scene where Costner eats cereal in a bathrobe after a romantic night.
“I thought, that’s the vibe I wanted,” Green said. “It ended up feeling more fun than awkward.”
Behind the Scenes: Chaos and One Perfect Toss
The shoot itself involved some organized chaos—breaking glass, tossing salad bowls, and destroying props. “We broke a picture of a dog and busted through a wall,” Green recalled. “You wanted to get it right the first time.”
He’s especially proud of one moment: tossing the cereal bowl into the sink on the first try. “I didn’t even look—it was awesome.”
“Worst Way” Makes History
The song’s success is more than just chart-topping—it’s historic. “Worst Way” marks Green’s fifth career No. 1 and earned a rare distinction: it’s only the second solo-written song to reach the top of the Billboard Country Airplay chart since 2012.
Green wrote it with his live performances in mind. He wanted a slow, smoldering song to echo the impact of Eric Church’s “Like A Wrecking Ball”—a moment in his sets that fans would remember.
“I thought, man, I want that kind of steamy moment in my show, and it’s certainly done that.”
The track has since become a fan-favorite live moment, and now, with a double platinum certification and a viral video under its belt, “Worst Way” is proving to be one of Riley Green’s most memorable releases yet.