Frances Praet Turns Dating Disasters into Gold with “The Men I Knew”

The Nashville-based singer/songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist delivers a sharp, twangy, and hilariously honest track with her latest release, “The Men I Knew.” Equal parts classic country and modern-day heartbreak humor, the song offers a refreshing look at the chaos of dating in today’s world, complete with fiddle, steel guitar, and a whole lot of truth.

From being ghosted to watching someone become the man you always knew they could be, just not for you, Frances Praet takes the most ridiculous moments from her love life and spins them into a song that feels tragic, funny, and way too relatable.

“I took the most ridiculous tales from my experiences the past few years, and spun them into a synopsis of why we should always take the high road and wish our past lovers well.”

Produced with a polished yet rustic feel, the track features country legends Joe Spivey on fiddle and Scotty Sanders on steel guitar, adding a rich, traditional tone to Frances’ modern lyrical edge. The result is a song that feels timeless but completely current, like a Loretta Lynn track filtered through a 2024 dating app.

But “The Men I Knew” isn’t just about dragging exes. It’s about compassion. Growth. Believe it or not, hope. Frances delivers the ultimate country power move: sending love to the women who come next, and wishing those exes well on their new journey.

“Hopefully, once you're done with them, they'll become the men you always knew they could be—for the next girl to enjoy!”

With her distinct blend of Americana, rock, and country storytelling, Frances Praet is building a sound that feels nostalgic and brand-new all at once. If you’ve ever laughed through tears over a failed fling, or found yourself rooting for someone after they broke your heart, this one’s for you.

 “The Men I Knew” perfectly blends humor and heartbreak. Was there one particular story that inspired the song, or is it a collection of wild tales?

Thank you! There’s always a fear when you’re making fun of yourself, you’ll cross a line into just being depressing, so I appreciate you saying that. 

A couple of years ago, I decided to put myself out there and date a lot to figure out what I wanted in a relationship. I am generally a very resilient person, but I’d had a few too many bad situationships (hence the song).

I ran into one guy in particular (who was exceptionally mean) a few months after things ended. He told me I was the reason he decided to better himself because he “realized he was hurting good people.” That one inspired the chorus, and I realized I could fill in the blanks for the rest with all the crazy stories I had!

Joe Spivey and Scotty Sanders are legends in the country world. What was it like having them play on this track, and how did they help shape the sound?

Oh my gosh, I still pinch myself knowing such amazing musicians are willing to play on my songs! The song in itself is pretty simple; there are not a ton of instruments on it, and when we sent it to them, we didn’t have any sort of hook to draw you in. The fiddle and steel guitar made the entire thing come to life! I vividly remember getting these tracks back and tearing up listening to them both together on the song. Sometimes, you get a feeling when you hear new parts in a song that feel right - it's truly magical!

You mentioned wanting to show love to the women who come after you. That’s such a powerful message. Has that always been your mindset, or did it develop over time with experience?

Just from my own experience, the world seems intent on pitting women against each other. A lot of times, we’re made to feel like we weren’t enough for a guy we dated, and then the next girl is villainized. In reality, the guy who did something awful, like cheating or lying, should be the one we direct our anger towards! I sincerely hope no one else has to experience the version of some of these guys I dated. That is an ideal. I’ve grown with experience!

Your music seamlessly blends classic rock and country. Who were the artists that shaped your sound growing up, and who’s inspiring you right now?

Thank you! Growing up, I was a huge Shania Twain fan; I think I bring a lot of that energy into my music lately (and I still blast her music all the time!). I was also exposed to a lot of classic rock growing up, so that comes inherently. I’ve been listening to a lot of new women in the country recently, like Laci Kaye Booth and Carter Faith. It’s inspiring to see the fresh, innovative take on country music they’re doing. I love to listen to all kinds of music, so you never know what hints of different genres will make their way into the next song! 

What advice would you give to someone currently navigating the same kinds of dating disasters you sing about in this track?

Never lose sight of who you are and what you want. Seek fulfillment in other areas of your life. When the time is right, the right person will naturally come along and build upon the foundation you have established. If you put all of your faith in another human being, you will be disappointed 100% of the time. Also, you are not crazy for having needs! If it’s not working with someone, it’s not necessarily because you’re broken or wrong; it’s simply because it wasn’t the right person for you. Stay strong out there, and listen to The Men I Knew when you feel hopeless. You are not alone!