Leave Right Now (Thomas Rhett song)

"Leave Right Now" was written in Los Angeles, California and was originally intended as an acoustic country pop song.[5] Rhett drew inspiration from electronic dance music, particularly the songs of The Chainsmokers, and proposed adding a drop after the chorus.[5] He told media outlets when discussing the album's recording that he "never in a million years" expected the song to make it on the record as is because of its "progressive" sound, which he worried might be jarring to country music fans.[2]

In April 2018, Valory Music Group commissioned a set of remixes for the song to serve as a promotional single, concurrent with the radio release of "Life Changes".[6] The resulting extended play includes the original album version, a shortened radio edit, an EDM remix from Danish DJ Martin Jensen, and a stripped-down "Nashville mix."[3]

"Leave Right Now" combines influences of pop and electronic dance music, including a post-chorus drop, with honest, wistful lyrics and a more traditionally country narrative.[5][3] Lyrically, the song revolves around a guy meeting a romantic interest at a party and suggesting that they leave early and get to know each other better in private.[6] The song begins with acoustic guitar chords, which give way to slick electronic beats later on.[3][4]

The staff of Taste of Country praised Rhett's willingness to take a risk on the song, writing, that the song "push[es] the boundaries of country music further than" most artists.[4] Markos Papadatos of Digital Journal described the song as "addicting" in a complimentary album review.[7] Georgia Davis of The Post gave a more mixed review of the song, writing that it is "lyrically a treat," but that its sound feels out of place on the album.[8]

Following the release of Life Changes, "Leave Right Now" entered the Hot Country Songs chart dated September 30, 2017 at number 38.[9]

Metro reported that an accompanying music video is being filmed for the song sometime in the spring of 2018.[6] A statement from Rhett states that the video intends to "[play] around with the energy of the song" by speeding up and slowing down various scenes in time with the music for emphasis.[6] Directed by Justin Clough and filmed at the Frist Art Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, the video premiered May 23, 2018.[10] The video uses the audio of the Martin Jensen remix.[10]