Dan + Shay Reveal Hesitation Over New Suicide Prevention Song

The country duo worried their track 'Say So' was 'too heavy' for fans, but felt compelled to honor their late mentor who died by suicide.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 9:33pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered, reflective surface in dramatic, high-contrast studio lighting, conveying the fragility of mental health through an abstract, textural composition.Dan + Shay's new song 'Say So' confronts the harsh realities of mental health struggles, even among those who appear to have it all.Beverly Hills Today

In an interview with Variety, country music duo Dan + Shay opened up about their hesitation in releasing their new single 'Say So,' which is dedicated to their late mentor and 'mutual friend' Ben Vaughn who died by suicide in 2025. The duo revealed they were concerned the song's heavy subject matter about mental health and suicide prevention might be 'too heavy' for their fanbase, but ultimately felt compelled to honor Vaughn's memory and raise awareness.

Why it matters

The song 'Say So' highlights the ongoing challenges artists and public figures face in addressing mental health issues, even as they grapple with their own personal struggles. Dan + Shay's transparency about their own mental health journeys and the loss of a close friend underscores the importance of destigmatizing these conversations, especially within the entertainment industry.

The details

Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney said the song 'Say So' was inspired by a conversation they had with friends about their late mentor and 'mutual friend' Ben Vaughn, who was the head of Warner Chappell Publishing and died by suicide in January 2025. The duo was initially hesitant about releasing the track, worried that the heavy subject matter about mental health and suicide prevention would be 'too heavy' for their fanbase, known for their upbeat love songs. However, they ultimately felt compelled to honor Vaughn's memory and raise awareness, with Mooney noting 'that's just a sad reality of mental health, that no matter what it looks like on the outside, you never know what somebody's battling with on the inside.'

  • The song 'Say So' is set to be released on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • Vaughn, the duo's late mentor, died by suicide in January 2025.

The players

Dan Smyers

One half of the country music duo Dan + Shay, who co-wrote the song 'Say So' about suicide prevention.

Shay Mooney

The other half of the country music duo Dan + Shay, who co-wrote the song 'Say So' about suicide prevention.

Ben Vaughn

The late head of Warner Chappell Publishing and a mentor to Dan + Shay, who died by suicide in January 2025.

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What they’re saying

“That's just a sad reality of mental health, that no matter what it looks like on the outside, you never know what somebody's battling with on the inside.”

— Shay Mooney, Country Music Artist

“We were going back and forth asking, 'Man, is this song too heavy for Dan + Shay?' But I think people can look at us just as they see some of their friends and think, 'There's no way that they're going through something. They look like they're doing great.'”

— Shay Mooney, Country Music Artist

“I've personally dealt with mental health stuff over the last few years, more so than ever. We battle a lot of stuff inside and outside of ourselves.”

— Dan Smyers, Country Music Artist

What’s next

The song 'Say So' will be released on Friday, April 3, 2026, marking Dan + Shay's first major single addressing mental health and suicide prevention.

The takeaway

Dan + Shay's openness about their own mental health struggles and the loss of a close friend to suicide underscores the importance of destigmatizing these conversations, especially within the entertainment industry. Their decision to release the song 'Say So' despite initial hesitations reflects a growing willingness among artists to use their platforms to raise awareness and provide hope around these critical issues.