About the song
Every now and then, a song comes along that strikes a chord not just because of its melody, but because of its message — honest, heartfelt, and resonant. With “How Ya Doin’ Up There”, Scotty McCreery delivers one of those rare moments in country music that feels like a personal letter — one that could be written by anyone who’s ever lost someone they loved and still talks to them in quiet moments.
Scotty, who first won over America as the deep-voiced teenager on American Idol back in 2011, has grown into a mature and thoughtful songwriter. While he’s always had a knack for tapping into themes of faith, family, and small-town roots, this particular track from his 2024 album Rise and Fall feels especially intimate. “How Ya Doin’ Up There” isn’t just a tribute — it’s a prayer, a conversation, and a reflection all wrapped into one.
In the song, McCreery addresses a loved one who has passed on — possibly a parent, grandparent, or close friend — and poses the simple but powerful question: how are things on the other side? It’s something we’ve all wondered, particularly in moments of quiet remembrance or when we’re facing life’s big milestones without the ones we wish were still here. The lyrics are rich with emotion, delivered in Scotty’s signature warm baritone, which adds both gravity and comfort to the storytelling. The production is understated — just enough instrumentation to support the mood without overshadowing the words — a wise choice that lets the song’s message take center stage.
One of the most compelling aspects of “How Ya Doin’ Up There” is how universally it speaks to grief, while also offering a gentle kind of hope. It doesn’t rush through the sadness, nor does it offer easy answers. Instead, it sits with the listener in that sacred space between sorrow and memory. It’s a song that could play at a memorial, during a quiet drive, or on a Sunday morning when you’re reminiscing with a cup of coffee and a heavy heart.
Ultimately, this track stands out not only for its emotional depth but for its sincerity — a hallmark of McCreery’s best work. It’s the kind of song that stays with you long after it ends, whispering softly, you’re not alone in missing them.
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Lyrics
How ya doin’ up there?
I was just starin’ up at your stars
Just wonderin’ how you are
Hopin’ I could bend your ear
No, this ain’t about a girl
Or a W for the home team
It ain’t a “Get me out of this thing”
I’ll go to church more kind of prayer
Just how ya doin’ up there?
I’m just checkin’ in
Checkin’ on how ya been
Just wanted you to know that I still care
I know that you’re in control
But man, the Devil’s been on a roll
Heaven knows down here
It’s been one hell of a year
How ya doin’ up there?
I know your hearts got a break
When you look down and see the hate
All the worry and the fear
In a faith that’s disappeared
I’m just checkin’ in
Checkin’ on how ya been
Just wanted you to know that I still care
I know that you’re in control
But man, the Devil’s been on a roll
Heaven knows down here
It’s been one hell of a year
Oh, how ya doin’ up there?
Yeah, I know that you’re in control
But man, the Devil’s been on a roll
But a lot of us down here
We still believe
I’ll hit ya back tomorrow night just to see
How ya doin’ up there
How ya doin’ up there?
Yeah
