The Story Behind Speechless by Dan + Shay

Sweeter than a first-look down the aisle and just as arresting, Dan + Shay’s “Speechless” is the modern country power ballad that cemented the duo’s crossover glow-up in 2018.

Lifted from their self-titled third album, Dan + Shay, the track arrived as the record’s second country-radio single and quickly became a signature moment in their catalog.

Blending contemporary country with pop polish, “Speechless” rides intimate piano, slow-burn guitars, and stacked two-part harmonies into a widescreen chorus built for arenas—and wedding aisles. Co-written by Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney with Jordan Reynolds, Spencer Saylor, and Laura Veltz, the song leans into that breathless, can’t-find-the-words feeling, inspired by the duo seeing their wives on their wedding days. On the album front, it anchors Dan + Shay’s sleek 2018 set for Warner Music Nashville, released June 22, marking a pivot from earlier hits toward an even more radio-ready sheen.

Chart-wise, “Speechless” was a juggernaut: it hit No. 1 on both Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay, while climbing to No. 24 on the Hot 100—proof of serious mainstream traction. Its staying power was certified many times over, earning a massive 7x Platinum from the RIAA, with a 2019 rework featuring Tori Kelly adding pop sparkle to its footprint. For Dan + Shay, it wasn’t just another hit; it was a defining anthem that broadened their audience and sound without losing their heart-on-sleeve core.

In a word—fittingly—”Speechless” left country and pop fans exactly that.