Blake Shelton is opening up about how he chooses songs for his albums. Shelton, who only wrote one song on his latest For Recreational Use Only album, says he intentionally doesn’t look at who wrote the songs he is pitched for his projects, preferring instead to truly let the best song win.
“It’s not like I’ve meant to, but I’ve always said, from day one, I don’t care who writes the song,” Shelton tells CMT. “I don’t care if it’s somebody new, or a veteran in the music industry. I could care less. I don’t even look to see who they are. I just look for the best songs I can find.
“And because of that,” he continues, “I think a lot of times it’s unknown writers that just aren’t getting their shot yet, and they’ve got a lot of great material. They just haven’t been able to get their foot in the door. It’s worked out that way a few times for me. At the end of the day, I’m a song guy. I love great country songs, and that’s all I want to record.”
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Shelton has a Top 35 single right now, with “Stay Country Or Die Tryin’.” The song is his second single from For Recreational Use Only, following “Texas,” which became his 30th No. 1 single. “Stay Country Or Die Tryin'” was written by Drew Parker, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis, and Beau Bailey.
“When I heard ‘Stay Country or Die Tryin’,’ it took me back to the first time I heard ‘Ol’ Red’ or ‘God’s Country,’” Shelton says. “It’s full of energy and packed with those sayings and moments that feel like home to me. I love singing this one live—it’s a blast.”
Shelton’s determination to let the best song win is likely what has made him one of the most successful artists of the last two decades.
“I’ve never been somebody who’s trying to make some kind of a statement with an album,” Shelton tells American Songwriter. “I’ve just always been someone who wants to collect great songs. I know it’s subject to opinion, but I look back at some of these songs that I’ve had and just go, ‘Man, I’m really, really proud.’”
Shelton’s newfound success is a bit surprising, even to him. After his 2021 Body Language album failed to have the success of some of his earlier records, Shelton admits he thought his best days in country music might be behind him.
“I don’t think you’re being honest with yourself if you don’t have that thought, at least when you’ve been doing it as long as I have,” Shelton reveals on Country Countdown USA. “Like, there’s a new generation, and then another new generation that have come along in the last few years. You have to think that way or you’re not being honest. The excitement of watching ‘Texas’ take off the way it did, while we were still trying to finish up the album was even more inspiring, and lit more of a fire under me.”
Shelton is executive producing the new reality TV talent show, The Road, premiering on October 19 on CBS, joined by Keith Urban and Gretchen Wilson. Find “Stay Country or Die Tryin’” and all of Shelton’s music and upcoming shows at BlakeShelton.com.
Photo Credit: CMA / Hunter Berry