Stay Country or Die Tryin'
| "Stay Country or Die Tryin'" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Blake Shelton | ||||
| from the album For Recreational Use Only | ||||
| Released | May 19, 2025 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:41 | |||
| Label | Wheelhouse | |||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producer | Scott Hendricks | |||
| Blake Shelton singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Stay Country or Die Tryin'" on YouTube | ||||
"Stay Country or Die Tryin'" is a song by American country music singer Blake Shelton. It was sent to country radio on May 19, 2025, as the second single from his thirteenth studio album, For Recreational Use Only (2025).[1] It was written by Beau Bailey, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis and Drew Parker, and produced by Scott Hendricks.
Background
Blake Shelton stated that when he heard the song, it reminded him of the first time he heard other songs of his such as "Ol' Red" and "God's Country", due to its high energy and many expressions relevant to rural life.[2] In an interview with American Songwriter, Shelton described the song as a mix of the two aforementioned songs and explained:
The lyric is just a bunch of almost phrases and things that are picturesque to growing up in the kind of backwoods and country, and that diehard mentality. It's, "I know where I come from." That's kind of how we are — a little very prideful, a little bit stubborn. And that's kind of the guy in that song. There's a pride to being a hillbilly and not going to town for any-damn-thing. You know what I mean?[3]
Composition
The song contains "roaring" guitars,[4] and the sound of a quail is played in the beginning.[3] In the lyrics, Blake Shelton celebrates his country roots,[3][4][5] describing his lifestyle such as working hard without guarantees of financial success and devotion to his parents.[6] He references many symbols of rural culture, including the Bible, American flag, barns and rednecks.[4][6]
Critical reception
Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic regarded the song as a highlight of For Recreational Use Only and "begging for beer-soaked celebration."[7] Alli Patton of Holler wrote of the song, "While more bogged down in rural buzzwords this time around, the blazing tune is not unlike his insipid hit, 'Boys 'Round Here', from 2013 and 2019's prideful anthem 'God's Country'."[5]
Music video
The music video for "Stay Country or Die Tryin'" was directed by Adam Rothlein and Jennifer Ansell and was released on June 27, 2025. The video uses AI as a tribute to country life and land.[8]
Track listing
Digital EP
|
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.[9]
Musicians
- Blake Shelton – lead vocals
- Nir Z – drums, tambourine
- Troy Lancaster – electric guitar
- Tom Bukovac – electric guitar
- Gordon Mote – piano, Hammond B3 organ
- Sam Bergeson – electric guitar, programming; slide guitar, additional guitar
- Jimmie Lee Sloas – bass
- Bryan Sutton – acoustic guitar, mandolin
- Perry Coleman – backing vocals
- Justin Niebank – programming
- Aubrey Haynie – fiddle
- Drew Parker – backing vocals
Technical
- Scott Hendricks – production, engineering
- Andrew Mendelson – mastering
- Justin Niebank – mixing, engineering
- Brian David Willis – engineering, editing
- Sam Bergeson – engineering, additional mixing
- Sam Ellis – engineering
Charts
| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Country (Billboard)[10] | 22 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[11] | 2 |
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[12] | 4 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[13] | 25 |
References
- ^ "Country Aircheck Weekly May 5, 2025, Issue 959" (PDF). Country Aircheck. May 5, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
- ^ "Blake Shelton Releases New Song "Stay Country or Die Tryin'"". BBR Music Group. April 11, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c Watts, Cindy (May 11, 2025). ""There's a Pride to Being a Hillbilly": Blake Shelton Compares New Song to "Ole Red" and "God's Country"(Exclusive)". American Songwriter. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
- ^ a b c Daykin, James. "Review: Blake Shelton 'For Recreational Use Only' New Album". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
- ^ a b Patton, Alli. "Blake Shelton - For Recreational Use Only". Holler Country. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
- ^ a b Dukes, Billy (May 14, 2025). "Blake Shelton, 'Stay Country or Die Tryin" Lyrics Tell His Truth [Listen]". Taste of Country. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
- ^ Yeung, Neil Z. ""For Recreational Use Only" Review". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
- ^ "Shelton will "Stay Country or Die Tryin'"". www.countrystandardtime.com. Retrieved 2025-11-25.
- ^ "For Recreational Use Only / Blake Shelton / Credits". Tidal. May 9, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ "Canada Country chart for December 20, 2025". Billboard Canada. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
- ^ "Blake Shelton Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
- ^ "Blake Shelton Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ^ "Blake Shelton Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2025.