Riley Green Reveals First Song He Ever Wrote on The Tonight Show
From “Escalade” to the Opry
Riley Green stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this past week, and while the Alabama native is currently packing arenas on his Damn Country Music Tour, the conversation turned back to his earliest days of songwriting.
Green admitted that the very first song he ever wrote was called “Escalade.”
The inspiration? Exactly what you’d expect.
“It was about getting an Escalade,” he laughed. “It had a rap part in it.”
A Nashville Wake-Up Call
While that debut attempt might not have been destined for the country charts, it planted the seed. Green recalled that his first trip to Nashville was for a writers’ round at the legendary Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge.
That experience, he said, opened his eyes to the art of storytelling through music. From that moment on, Green began to lean into writing songs about his upbringing, his family, and the values that would ultimately shape his catalog.
Full-Circle Success
Fast forward to today, and Green is one of country music’s most in-demand touring acts. His Damn Country Music Tour has been drawing massive crowds across the U.S. in 2025, showcasing just how far he’s come since that half-serious rap song.
From “Escalade” to heartfelt tracks like “I Wish Grandpas Never Died,” Green’s journey proves that even the most unexpected beginnings can lead to timeless country songs.