One of Keith Urban’s favorite records is Eric Church’s Chief, and the two became friends over the course of the past few years. The two started sharing music that the other one may not have heard, which led to their collaboration on Keith’s latest album, Fuse.

“He’d be turning me on to new music, and I’d be texting him about something, ‘You’ve got to listen to (1975’s) Bankrupt by Dr. Hook.’ We’re trying to hip each other to records that we love that the other guy hasn’t heard,” says Keith. “That sort of banter started happening fairly regularly, and I thought I’d really like to do something with Eric on my record, if I find the right song. And this song called ‘Raise ‘Em Up’ came along.”

“Raise ‘Em Up” didn’t start out as a duet, but Keith said it “struck” him as the perfect song for him and Eric to record together.

“There’s a particular theme really in the song, particularly in the second verse that I felt was just perfect for Eric. I sent him the song, and he loved it. And I was really happy that he came in and sang on it.”

“Raise ‘Em Up,” the fifth single from Fuse, is poised to hit the top of the country charts.