International Acoustic Music Award winning songwriter Robert Thomas and his band, the sessionmen, cast a playful groove-laden Americana track with their latest single, “Cast a Line.” Inspired by some unconventional dating advice from Thomas’ father back in 1976—delivered, fittingly, in the form of a fishing metaphor—the song takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the idea that love is just a matter of casting out a line and waiting for the right catch. With its irresistible rhythm, clever storytelling, and a Little Feat-style groove, “Cast a Line” has become one of Thomas’ most enduring and requested songs, covered by artists across the industry.

Written in 1990 and predating the popular dating site Plenty of Fish, the song’s central metaphor still resonates today. A testament to the unpredictability of songwriting success, Thomas reflects on how a humorous idea sparked by questionable advice turned into one of his most lucrative and beloved tracks.

I always get a chuckle every time we perform this song or every time I open my SOCAN statement. I feel like I got away with a bit of a bank robbery in that such a goofy idea actually turned into one of our most popular songs. – Robert Thomas