Just in time for Valentines day, The Red Clay Stray’s just dropped their newest love song single, “If I Didn’t Know You,” and music video starring comedian Matt Rife.
The music video for this February 12 release is a cinematic Nicholas Sparks-esque production directed by Matthew Coleman, a photographer, co-songwriter, and brother of lead singer Brandon Coleman. Despite how odd this crossover may seem with Rife, the 30-year-old comedian is actually a big fan of the Red Clay Strays and was seen jamming out to his favorite song, “I’m Still Fine,” this past July. In the comments, Rife praised the band, calling them “Music for the soul!”
The video follows a star-crossed love story between Matt Rife and fitness influencer Mariah Morse. The two meet on a bus and instantly hit it off (after an awkward exchange of preliminary compliments), only to part ways at different stops. Left with nothing but a spark and fragments of their bus ride-long conversation, Rife returns home heartbroken, wondering how he’ll ever find the mysterious woman again. The video chronicles his many failed attempts to reconnect, along with journal entries detailing everything he can recall– including a cheesy near-second meeting as they pass each other while entering and exiting a bookstore.
The new single, which is Red Clay’s first release of 2026 following last October’s release,
“People Hatin'” is equally as gushy as the video, featuring lyrics that capture peak male yearning. It’s also their first love song since their career-defining 2022 hit, “Wondering Why.” The chorus sings, “If I didn’t know you, I wouldn’t know how to love, I wouldn’t know what it feels like to be someone’s only one. If I never saw your eyes, it’s like I’d never seen the sun. What would I do if I didn’t know you?”
As the soulful tune ramps up, a bleached-blonde Rife finally spots his lost lover climbing onto a bus across the street. In true rom-com fashion, he sprints after it, making the driver come to a halt. From there, the rest is history as the new couple reunites and begins the early stages of their relationship (playing pool, frolicking on the beach, decorating their new apartment, etc.) And of course, what better ending than a montage of the pair cuddling, as Rife’s final journal entry fades onto the screen: “I found the love of my life.”
According to the Red Clay Stray’s announcement post on Instagram, the song was penned by band member Drew Nix alongside writer Natalie Hemby as a tribute to his wife. Pro tip for the fellas: if you’re looking to swoon your Valentine, add this one to the list of potential songs to post them with this Saturday.
Watch the music video here: