Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are still very much in love, even if their new “Hangin’ On” duet might suggest otherwise. The couple, married since 2021, combine their talents on the song, from Shelton’s For Recreational Use Only album, out now.
“I’ve gotten to a point now that I’m not really interested in making an album without having at least one song with my wife, Gwen, on it,” Shelton tells Audacy. “How lucky am I to have Gwen Stefani want to collaborate with me on music, and I would be an absolute moron not to take advantage of that.”
Even though “Hangin’ On” is not a love story, Shelton knew Stefani would be perfect to join him on the heartbreaking track.
“It’s just one of those songs you hear it and it’s just got so much energy in that chorus,” Shelton says. “And even though it is a breakup song about two people who just can’t let go of each other, that part’s not really relatable for Gwen and I. But we love to step into those roles and sing these kind of lyrics to each other because we’re huge fans of great songs.”
Shelton might not have considered “Hangin’ On” if not for one of the writers, who personally sent the song to Shelton.
Charles Kelley is actually a co-writer on this song, from Lady A,” Shelton reveals. “He’s been a friend of mine for a long time, so when he sent this song over, I thought, man, we better give this thing a listen. Because if anybody knows how to write a duet, it’s that guy. I’m super proud to have been given this song by Charles and I’m super proud that Gwen wanted to lean in on this thing and do a full-blown country duet with me, and I’m just really proud of this recording.”
“Hangin’ On” is one of 12 songs on For Recreational Use Only, Shelton’s first record on BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. The project also includes Shelton’s 30th No. 1 hit with “Texas,” plus “Heaven Sweet Home,” which he sings with Craig Morgan, “Let Him In Anyway” and more.
For Recreational Use Only is Shelton’s first record since Body Language came out in 2021.
“I can’t believe it’s been four years since we released an album, and I’m excited to get the whole record out there,” Shelton said when the record was released. “I’ve always been someone who wants to collect great songs but sometimes the hardest thing to do is to find something that hasn’t been said or written before or a melody that we haven’t heard. I’m always on the search for that. I look back over the years, and I’m just proud because some of those songs don’t sound like anything else. And I think we did it again with this album.”
See a track list for For Recreational Use Only below. Find all of Shelton’s music and upcoming shows at BlakeShelton.com
For Recreational Use Only Tracklist:
1. Stay Country or Die Tryin’ – (Drew Parker, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis, Beau Bailey)
2. Texas – (Johnny Clawson, Kyle Sturrock, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman)
3. Hangin’ On (feat. Gwen Stefani) – (Sam Ellis, Charles Kelley, Greylan James)
4. Strangers – (Michael Hardy, Zach Crowell, Jameson Rodgers)
5. Let Him In Anyway – (Michael Hardy, Zach Abend, Kyle Clark, Carson Wallace)
6. Heaven Sweet Home (feat. Craig Morgan) – (Chris Tompkins, Sarah Buxton, Jake Rose)
7. Life’s Been Comin’ Too Fast – (Craig Wiseman, David Lee Murphy, Lindsay Rimes)
8. Don’t Mississippi – (Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Ben Hayslip, Josh Osborne)
9. All of My Love – (Blake Shelton, Colton Swon, Zach Swon)
10. Cold Can – (Bobby Pinson, Josh Osborne, Andrew DeRoberts)
11. The Keys – (Jay Brunswick, Brock Berryhill, Bobby Pinson)
12. Years (feat. John Anderson) – (Pat McLaughlin, John Anderson, David Ferguson, Daniel Auerbach)