Maren Morris Reflects on Reunion with Ex-Husband Ryan Hurd in New Album Release
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/maren-morris-e93230e61bce49c78428420ba3a1e69f.jpg)
Maren Morris, the renowned country artist, has embarked on a nostalgic journey as she celebrates the 10th anniversary of her debut album, *Hero*. Released earlier this month, the commemorative edition features two previously unheard tracks, including a collaboration with her ex-husband, Ryan Hurd. This marks their first collaboration since their divorce in January 2024 after five years of marriage.
The reworked track, titled “We Can’t Be Friends”, holds particular significance as it was initially penned for the album’s original release a decade ago. During an interview with Kelleigh Bannen on Apple Music, Morris candidly discussed the experience of returning to the studio with Hurd post-divorce.
“What a hilarious song for us to be revisiting… This is why we can’t be friends, and it’s, like, this hookup song,” Morris explained, highlighting the ironic nature of the content. Despite the inherent complexities of their relationship, she expressed her passion for the song and her desire to give it a proper platform for listeners. “It was such fun the day we wrote it with Caitlyn [Smith], and I was like, ‘I don’t want to let it go. I want to give it some love and let people hear it — a real version of it,’” she added.
The couple, who share a six-year-old son named Hayes Andrew, had created several songs together during their marriage. Discussing the collaboration, Morris noted that Hurd was enthusiastic to rework “We Can’t Be Friends” for the anniversary edition. “He sang backgrounds on it, and so did Caitlyn [Smith]. It’s almost like we just got to time warp,” she remarked, acknowledging the changes that have occurred since their split.
Morris further reflected on the emotional weight of the song, saying, “We’re co-parents now, and we’re in a good place, but it is — of course, these are emotional songs still. We’re still people.” This sentiment underscores the personal nature of their artistic collaboration, as music is inherently tied to their shared experiences and emotions.
Although they have moved on from their romantic relationship, Morris emphasised the deep respect and admiration they hold for one another as collaborators. “That respect for each other as songwriters has never wavered,” she said. However, she also acknowledged the complexities of performing a song that touches on past romantic entanglements. “Was it weird to be like, ‘That harmony sounds great on this particular line about a one night stand’? Yeah, I’m not an idiot,” she admitted with a sense of humour.
Morris described feeling fortunate to maintain a bond with Hurd through their musical engagement. “We spend time together with our son. But this is the first time, I guess, we’ve worked together musically since we divorced,” she noted. Their collaborative effort was not just a professional reunion, but a reflection of a friendship and effective co-parenting relationship that has developed over time.
Throughout the process, Morris found it refreshing to return to the roots of their musical connection. “It’s nice to kind of go back to zero with the music part. That’s what drew us to each other to begin with,” she explained, recognising the pride both their fans and they themselves feel about their growth.
The special anniversary edition of *Hero*, entitled *HERO: A Second Wind*, was officially released on June 26. In addition to “We Can’t Be Friends,” the album features another new track titled “Hard Liquor & Soft Rock,” along with demo versions of four original songs from the album — “Sugar,” “Company You Keep,” “I Wish I Was,” and “Drunk Girls Don’t Cry.”
As Maren Morris continues to evolve both personally and professionally, her collaboration with Ryan Hurd serves as a testament to resilience and the power of shared creativity, even after a life-altering separation. This new chapter in their musical journey not only reflects their individual growth but also showcases the enduring bond that can exist beyond marriage.