David Nail says that had he released “Why” soon after he wrote it 20 years ago, it’d have been a hit.

But, it would not have hit.

He was in a relationship that — like many before meeting wife Catherine — was being negatively affected by mental health battles he didn’t have the tools to acknowledge, let alone fix.

While he fought personal demons, he wrote several very dark songs that will never be released. “Why” stood out, but what Nail remembers most is just being proud of himself for taking it to the end.

“The reality of that is it probably caused me to not see what in the world I was writing about,” he tells Taste of Country. “Like, ‘Hey, hello! Wake-up call. This is coming out of you, maybe you should take a moment and try to do (something).'”

The self-written cut was in contention to become Nail’s debut single with Mercury Nashville, but ultimately the congregation decided to release another called “Memphis” in 2002. The thinking was that would be a better way to introduce the young artist, but it didn’t work.

Nail’s first try at a major label album was scrapped, and he was dropped by Mercury years before signing with MCA Nashville and finding success with songs like “Let It Rain” and “Whatever She’s Got.”

“Why” remained buried, but not forgotten for years, until — ironically — he asked an old label friend if he should record and release it.

“She proceeded to reply with a Bible-sized text of all the reasons why I should and sort of answered any questions and concerns that I had,” he recalls. It was the nudge he needed, but the song was missing something.

Related: 11 Country Songs That Address Depression + Mental Health

Aubrie Sellers is the female voice on “Why.” The pair go back at least a decade, to when she helped him with backing vocals on “Brand New Day,” a track from his I’m a Fire album. She too has been honest about mental health struggles, but their connection is more musical. Nail just really loves her voice and how she approaches harmonies.

It’s a mischaracterization to say Nail is beyond any mental health struggles now (are any of us, ever?), but his honesty about his struggles now drives some of his best songs. Catherine helped him through it, which makes certain lyrics of “Why” stand out, even if they were written when he was 21 years old.

“For the things I do / For the things I see / And why I tell you that I love you / But I treat you this way / Oh if I had the answers / Heaven knows we’d never fuss or fight / But I don’t know why.”

More irony comes in how he sees the song now. Post-demons Nail sort of misses it, too, he admits.

“It’s different now. I’m not as emotionally close to the song’s message. I’m more nostalgic for how long the song has hovered over me,” he says.

While personal, the vocal performance allows space for others to insert their own story. So, maybe “Why” is right on time in that kind of way. After debuting it at the Grand Ole Opry in August, Nail says he looks forward to playing it for more fans in 2024 and beyond.