Frances Praet Turns Heartbreak Into Humor on Her New Single “The Men I Knew”

If you've ever walked away from a dating app date wondering “Was that real life, or a weird social experiment?”, you're not alone—and Frances Praet just wrote the soundtrack to your struggle.

The Nashville-based singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer is back with a twangy, witty, and oddly cathartic new single called “The Men I Knew.” And no, it’s not just another sad country song. It’s a modern-day field guide to dating disasters—with steel guitar, fiddle, and enough sass to make your ex’s new girlfriend wish she knew you first.

Rooted firmly in the rich soil of classic country (with a bit of rock-and-roll attitude baked in), “The Men I Knew” blends humor and heartbreak in the best way possible. Featuring legendary fiddle player Joe Spivey and the buttery-smooth steel guitar of Scotty Sanders, the track carries the spirit of old-school Nashville but speaks to every woman who's ever said, “Bless his heart,” and actually meant, “Good luck, girl—you’ll need it”.

“I wanted to write something that felt true to what so many of us are going through,” Frances shares. “Dating today can be so bizarre it’s laughable, and sometimes the only way to survive it is to find the humor in it all. This song is kind of my love letter to the lessons I learned—and to the girls who came after me".

What makes this track shine isn’t just its toe-tapping instrumentation or sharp lyrical storytelling. It’s the heart behind it. “The Men I Knew” doesn’t wallow in bitterness. Instead, it takes the high road—offering a wink, a nod, and a well-wishing wave to all the former flames who didn’t quite measure up. It’s not about revenge; it’s about release.

Frances isn’t just telling her story—she’s telling our story. The one where red flags were ignored, ghosting became an Olympic sport, and the only thing worse than the date was the text afterward. And somehow, she makes all that feel strangely empowering.

“I hope people hear this and realize they’re not alone,” she says. “We’ve all had those nights where you come home, shake your head, and just laugh. This song is for that moment."

Whether you're freshly single, happily partnered, or somewhere in between, “The Men I Knew” offers a little slice of solidarity—and a damn good country hook to boot. So pour a glass of something strong, queue up Frances Praet, and remember: sometimes the best way to get over the wrong guy is to write a hit about him.