Today, the Ada, Oklahoma-born songwriter and performer Blake Shelton is one of the torchbearers for country music. Blending a sense of the traditional with the contemporary and catchy, Shelton and his signature twang is one of the big pillars in the genre today. The former coach on the NBC singing competition show The Voice, he is as visible as ever singing about the heartland.
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Here below, we wanted to explore three songs from Shelton that exemplify his prowess as a performer. A trio of tracks that showcases his talent as a country artist. Indeed, these are three timeless country songs by Blake Shelton that will play in saloons and honky tonks forever.
“Mine Would Be You” from Based on a True Story… (2013)
This song, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, is about love and devotion. If Blake Shelton had to pick one person on one day in one moment, he sings, it would be the one he loves. Shelton, singing with country authority, belts about his passion and affection for the gal he’s thinking of. It’s a swelling, heartfelt song that can’t help but capture your soul, filling the listener with the same feelings and emotions. Indeed, Shelton croons,
What’s your all-time high, your good as it gets?
Your hands down best ever make-up sex?
What’s your guilty pleasure, your old go to?
Well, if you asked me, mine would be you
What’s your worst hangover, your best night yet?
Your 90 proof, your Marlboro Red?
The best damn thing you lucked into
That’s easy girl, mine would be you
“God’s Country” from Fully Loaded: God’s Country (2019)
This song, which hit No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, has darkness, depth, and a rocking power. Singing about the Dust Bowl, Shelton sings about farming, church, the circle of life, and a place in the world that he has both walked and holds in his heart. Belting out lyrics between buzzy guitar riffs, Shelton displays his heartland country sensibilities, offering listeners,
Right outside of this one church town
There’s a gold dirt road to a whole lot of nothin’
Got a deed to the land, but it ain’t my ground
This is God’s country
We pray for rain, and thank Him when it’s fallen
‘Cause it brings a grain and a little bit of money
We put it back in the plate
I guess that’s why they call it God’s country
“Drink on It” from Red River Blue (2012)
This flirty song from Shelton, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, is about taking a moment to share a glass of something, forget your plans, and make a connection with someone who could mean so much more. Shelton sings about a moment in which he and a woman can share a drink and maybe change their lives forever. Indeed, on the amorous song, he sings,
Hey girl, hey where ya goin’?
Come back and sit back down
You look too good to be
Heading home so early now
Say you gotta work tomorrow
Got a lot on your mind
Let me buy another round
Girl, I think you and I should just
Drink on it
Put our heads together and think on it
Maybe later on we can sleep on it
But for right now
Girl, we just need to drink on it
Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images
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