Back with his first album in four years, Blake Shelton has released For Recreational Use Only into the world, and he's ready to take you inside the album.
LISTEN NOW: Blake Shelton - On The Record
The 13th studio album from the "Texas" singer arrived everywhere on May 9, and Blake wrapped up release weekend with us, telling the stories behind the songs of For Recreational Use Only during our Blake Shelton: On The Record album release special.
"First time I ever heard, 'Stay Country or Die Tryin,' man, it took me back to the first time I'd ever heard, 'Ol' Red,' or the first time I'd ever heard 'God's Country.' It's just one of those, it's a little bit Southern rock, but it's also got all the Country elements in it too, and it lands right in that sweet spot of this unique thing that's almost like an anthem," Blake shares about the lead track. "It's got so much energy in it and tons of a little catchphrases and things that we say out in the country, and rednecks like me say that I just absolutely fell in love with the song, and as much as I love and am proud of this recording we did of it, man, I love singing it live even more."
Listen above to hear Blake with Katie Neal as he takes us through each and every song on For Recreational Use Only, including his duet with wife, Gwen Stefani, "Hangin' On."
"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," gushes Shelton. "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."
"It's just one of those songs you hear it and it's just got so much energy in that chorus, 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."
"Charles Kelley is actually a co-writer on this song, from Lady A. 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."
Don't miss as Blake Shelton takes us track-by-track through his new album, For Recreational Use Only, right here. It's Blake Shelton: On The Record, now playing.