Songland winner Madeline Merlo takes Keith Urban’s No. 1 hit “You’ll Think of Me” for a spin. Her voice is sweet, exacting the appropriate amount of emotion to drive her version forward. Released as an Amazon Music Original, her performance is a must-hear.

“Take your records, take your freedom / Take your memories, I don’t need ’em,” she sings, delivering the iconic melody. “Take your space and take your reasons / But you’ll think of me.”

Fans can stream the cover song here.

On her choice to cover the 2002 hit single, Merlo shares in a press statement. “I chose to cover [this] because it’s one of my favorite country songs of all time. It’s the kind of song that you remember the first time that you heard it,” she says. “Keith is a huge inspiration of mine, and I have been a lifelong fan of his. This song has a perspective of acceptance, along with an attitude that I absolutely love, paired with a genius melody structure that feels so emotional and empowering.”

Merlo won Songland by co-penning Lady A’s three-week No. 1 “Champagne Night.” It was a turning point in her career that later led to a record deal with BBR Music Group and a win for Songwriter of the Year at the 2021 Canadian Country Music Association.

“Growing up, I never won any competitions. I was always cast in the chorus, so when I won Songland, I was floored,” she says. “But I think that has a lot to do with my work ethic. It wasn’t all on a platter for me. I’ve always had that spirit of something to prove. Even when things are going great, I still have that fire – I always have.”

Last fall, Merlo released an EP called Slide. Her current single “Same Car” nears two million streams, and she’s landed coverage in American Songwriter, Billboard, and others. Needless to say, her star is shining as bright as ever.