In an emotional and unplanned moment just 12 minutes ago during a hometown appearance in Raleigh, North Carolina, country star Scotty McCreery opened up about the song that changed his life — “Five More Minutes” — leaving fans wiping away tears as he shared the deeply personal story behind it.
With his voice cracking and eyes misting, Scotty paused mid-performance to talk to the crowd about why the song still hits him so hard, even years after its release.
“Every time I sing this song… I see my granddaddy’s face,” he said, his voice full of emotion. “I wrote it because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.”
“Five More Minutes”, which became a massive hit and fan favorite, was inspired by Scotty’s grandfather, who passed away shortly before he wrote the song. The lyrics — a heartfelt plea for just a little more time with someone you’ve lost — have resonated with millions. But today, Scotty reminded everyone that behind every word is real grief, real love, and real memories.
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“This song wasn’t meant to be a radio hit. It was just something I had to write. I never expected the world would feel it like I did.”
The Raleigh crowd — many of whom have followed Scotty since his early American Idol days — fell into a hush as he strummed the first few chords again, visibly shaken by the weight of the moment. Fans later shared photos of tearful hugs, hands over hearts, and quiet reflection throughout the arena.
“It wasn’t just a concert,” one attendee posted on social media. “It was a reminder that we’re all human — and that some songs speak what our hearts can’t say.”
Scotty ended the performance by thanking the audience for letting him feel it, not just sing it, proving once again why “Five More Minutes” remains one of country music’s most emotionally powerful songs of the last decade.