kcaviator
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Post by kcaviator on Mar 30, 2019 18:43:39 GMT -5
Sounds like a bad Trace Adkins song
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Kanenrá:ke
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Post by Kanenrá:ke on Mar 30, 2019 18:45:00 GMT -5
Oh there’s the Blake that disappeared a decade ago! Welcome back!!
This better be an indication of where the album is heading.
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ethanhunt
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Post by ethanhunt on Mar 31, 2019 8:55:32 GMT -5
This is really really bad!
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Post by countryman87 on Mar 31, 2019 9:07:08 GMT -5
Looks like this will make its Mediabase debut at #36. I think Blake will debut somewhere in the top 25 on BB.
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codyj100
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Post by codyj100 on Mar 31, 2019 10:35:19 GMT -5
My love and appreciation for Blake really started to fade after Startin' Fires. He's had a few good ones, but nothing that stuck with me. This song is definitely the Blake I remember from long ago. Finally.
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gonecountry
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Post by gonecountry on Mar 31, 2019 17:03:32 GMT -5
My love and appreciation for Blake really started to fade after Startin' Fires. He's had a few good ones, but nothing that stuck with me. This song is definitely the Blake I remember from long ago. Finally. Mine plummeted after Starting Fires. I could pick out maybe 3 singles I’ve liked since then
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zaclord 🌈
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Post by zaclord 🌈 on Mar 31, 2019 17:04:12 GMT -5
Praising this song just because Blake wasn't asleep when he recorded it is like praising "Boys Round Here" just because it's "different". So while it is great that Blake decided to release something that gives us the illusion he's interested in recording interesting music again, this song is atrocious lyrically and I can't forgive it for that just because musically this is interesting. Really really hope this doesn't do much. I'm so over Blake.
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seak05
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Post by seak05 on Mar 31, 2019 20:20:23 GMT -5
So this one threw me for a loop, it just wasn't what I was expecting at all, and so I've been sitting with it for a few days to sort of get a handle on my thoughts. 1) I LOVE the risk, something so different as a lead single is just interesting, and it makes me curious about the album. 2) I found some of the verses clunky in parts 3) The vocal is really good, especially on the chorus 4) speaking of the chorus -- I just dig it. And the more I here the song, the more I enjoy it. It's also interesting enough musically that hearing it more often makes me like it more (at least so far, 2 months in heavy rotation might change that).
I also agree with others that I'm not sure how radio will receive it, I'm not sure radio knows what to do with this yet tbh. That said, if it sells well, think radio will follow.
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Post by countryisking on Apr 1, 2019 6:03:27 GMT -5
Praising this song just because Blake wasn't asleep when he recorded it is like praising "Boys Round Here" just because it's "different". So while it is great that Blake decided to release something that gives us the illusion he's interested in recording interesting music again, this song is atrocious lyrically and I can't forgive it for that just because musically this is interesting. Really really hope this doesn't do much. I'm so over Blake. Did Blake tell you he wasn't interested in recording music? I'm not sure how a song he delivers with interest and conviction can be decided (by you) to be an illusion. Further, I find the lyrics to be thoughtful and well-placed musically. I think by a lot of people saying this is "different" for him, they reference both the musical aspect and the fact that the lyrics are surely more substantial than those in a song like "Boys Round Here," "Turnin' Me On," "Came to Forget," "She's Got a Way With Words," etc. It seems the general listening public agrees, so far, at least.
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collinkottke
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Post by collinkottke on Apr 1, 2019 9:43:54 GMT -5
I've been trying to figure out the right words to say about this song to go further than "I love this song", but I love this song. It's so heavy and dark, but I love that and it ain't going to get confused for any other song out on country radio right now. I think lyrically it is strong, too. I think there is some very good imagery in the song that takes a couple listens to fully appreciate.
I'm always attracted to dark-sounding songs, but this darkness is different for me. The darkness on this song, to me, gives me the vibe of like being stubborn, proud and strong about where you are from. Obviously, it's mostly written with the south being "God's Country", but as someone from the middle of nowhere Minnesota and having refereed to as my homeland as "God's Country" countless times, I find it very relatable.
It is fun to see Blake trying something. I think Blake is still at a point in his career where he could have done something safe and it would have been a Top 10 for sure, but this isn't exactly safe. So far it seems to be paying off since it is still #1 overall on iTunes. Super excited to see how this fares and what comes of it for Blake and his future releases.
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.indulgecountry
Diamond Member
Best Country Poster 2011, 2017, & 2018
"You left a mark on my face // And brought a dozen red flags in a vase"
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Post by .indulgecountry on Apr 1, 2019 10:36:02 GMT -5
Even if this one proves polarizing and doesn't get him back to #1 again, I think the consumer interest in this out of the gate indicates it will be one of his most memorable hits in quite some time. Definitely better than continuing to release generic fodder that hit well at radio but didn't move the general public.
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CoJoFan
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Post by CoJoFan on Apr 1, 2019 13:27:09 GMT -5
Debuts at #24 on Country Airplay.
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Post by jimmy's carhartt on Apr 1, 2019 14:32:43 GMT -5
Praising this song just because Blake wasn't asleep when he recorded it is like praising "Boys Round Here" just because it's "different". So while it is great that Blake decided to release something that gives us the illusion he's interested in recording interesting music again, this song is atrocious lyrically and I can't forgive it for that just because musically this is interesting. Really really hope this doesn't do much. I'm so over Blake. Can you point out specifically how it is lyrically atrocious?
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LBTrocks
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Post by LBTrocks on Apr 1, 2019 23:21:30 GMT -5
Praising this song just because Blake wasn't asleep when he recorded it is like praising "Boys Round Here" just because it's "different". So while it is great that Blake decided to release something that gives us the illusion he's interested in recording interesting music again, this song is atrocious lyrically and I can't forgive it for that just because musically this is interesting. Really really hope this doesn't do much. I'm so over Blake. Why not tho? lol. You're not the only one to say this about songs but it it has never made sense to me. I could never be able to ignore a song I liked musically just because the lyrics were bad/not my cup of tea, just like I couldn't enjoy a song I disliked musically even if it had great lyrics. I get that bad lyrics can be a turn off, and I'm not saying it doesn't sometimes take away from your overall enjoyment of the song a little, but for me it's never to the point where I'd just not listen to the song if I found it musically interesting. As for this specific song, I personally don't hear anything particularly egregious about these lyrics, but musically this song is heaven to me.
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bboat11
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Post by bboat11 on Apr 1, 2019 23:28:57 GMT -5
LBTFlops about to be coming in here saying shit like, "Musically this sounds like God's country to me..."
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zaclord 🌈
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Post by zaclord 🌈 on Apr 2, 2019 19:59:34 GMT -5
Praising this song just because Blake wasn't asleep when he recorded it is like praising "Boys Round Here" just because it's "different". So while it is great that Blake decided to release something that gives us the illusion he's interested in recording interesting music again, this song is atrocious lyrically and I can't forgive it for that just because musically this is interesting. Really really hope this doesn't do much. I'm so over Blake. Why not tho? lol. You're not the only one to say this about songs but it it has never made sense to me. I could never be able to ignore a song I liked musically just because the lyrics were bad/not my cup of tea, just like I couldn't enjoy a song I disliked musically even if it had great lyrics. I get that bad lyrics can be a turn off, and I'm not saying it doesn't sometimes take away from your overall enjoyment of the song a little, but for me it's never to the point where I'd just not listen to the song if I found it musically interesting. As for this specific song, I personally don't hear anything particularly egregious about these lyrics, but musically this song is heaven to me. I despise 99% of all 'I'm country' or country lifestyle songs, and the fact that Blake sings this with a little more attitude (that's not quite the word I'm looking for) is just off-putting to me. With that said, this is my favorite Blake single since... *Googles Blake Shelton discography* I guess "Lonely Tonight", but that doesn't mean much at all... Musically, this is good, but I can't just ignore how much I dislike the lyrics of this
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LBTrocks
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Post by LBTrocks on Apr 2, 2019 22:42:14 GMT -5
Why not tho? lol. You're not the only one to say this about songs but it it has never made sense to me. I could never be able to ignore a song I liked musically just because the lyrics were bad/not my cup of tea, just like I couldn't enjoy a song I disliked musically even if it had great lyrics. I get that bad lyrics can be a turn off, and I'm not saying it doesn't sometimes take away from your overall enjoyment of the song a little, but for me it's never to the point where I'd just not listen to the song if I found it musically interesting. As for this specific song, I personally don't hear anything particularly egregious about these lyrics, but musically this song is heaven to me. I despise 99% of all 'I'm country' or country lifestyle songs, and the fact that Blake sings this with a little more attitude (that's not quite the word I'm looking for) is just off-putting to me. With that said, this is my favorite Blake single since... *Googles Blake Shelton discography* I guess "Lonely Tonight", but that doesn't mean much at all... Musically, this is good, but I can't just ignore how much I dislike the lyrics of this He sings it very aggressively. He's actually over-singing it, which is the one complaint I have about the song. He could have dialed it back a couple notches. Otherwise I'm obsessed with this.
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zaclord 🌈
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Post by zaclord 🌈 on Apr 3, 2019 7:29:34 GMT -5
I despise 99% of all 'I'm country' or country lifestyle songs, and the fact that Blake sings this with a little more attitude (that's not quite the word I'm looking for) is just off-putting to me. With that said, this is my favorite Blake single since... *Googles Blake Shelton discography* I guess "Lonely Tonight", but that doesn't mean much at all... Musically, this is good, but I can't just ignore how much I dislike the lyrics of this He sings it very aggressively. He's actually over-singing it, which is the one complaint I have about the song. He could have dialed it back a couple notches. Otherwise I'm obsessed with this. Yes, aggressive was the word I was looking for. Wasn't in a good state of mind last night and blanked on that word...
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seak05
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Post by seak05 on Apr 3, 2019 8:47:39 GMT -5
Song has returned to #1 on itunes all genre, very interested to see the response to this post ACM's
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Kanenrá:ke
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Post by Kanenrá:ke on Apr 3, 2019 11:45:47 GMT -5
Ok having lived with this a few days I can say I love the production on this! It’s easily the most interesting thing Blake’s put out on that front since the ‘Barn & Grill’ era.
Lyrically this isn’t anything amazing, but for the “country pride” trope I find this one above average verging on really great. Song of the year worthy? No not at all, but this is solid and works very well for radio and his audience.
Vocally I do agree he is slightly overdoing things, but given how lifeless he’s sounded for a while now I’ll take oversinging.
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Ragin
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Post by Ragin on Apr 4, 2019 6:13:49 GMT -5
I have a very hard time seeing where the lyrics are atrocious.
They may be a bit surface, but I’m not looking for genius poetry from Blake or from a Blake song.
I could understand picking at the music or the abrupt style change, or even looking at it as being a bit poser from that angle. The lyric criticism is nit picky in my opinion.
After a bit of time this is still easily my favorite song by him.
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Post by countryisking on Apr 4, 2019 9:04:01 GMT -5
I never heard this (and still don't) as an "I love my country" song. There's a flavor of it, but this is by-and-large a gospel, praise the Lord song. And Blake's delivery matches that fact.
I'm still reading "country" as more of a general description of the land and where you're from than "God's America."
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Ragin
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Post by Ragin on Apr 4, 2019 12:31:57 GMT -5
I never heard this (and still don't) as an "I love my country" song. There's a flavor of it, but this is by-and-large a gospel, praise the Lord song. And Blake's delivery matches that fact. I'm still reading "country" as more of a general description of the land and where you're from than "God's America." Yep, that’s how I’m reading it too.
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Post by Naos on Apr 8, 2019 18:16:38 GMT -5
Hot 100: #59 (debut)
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HeyHeyHey
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Post by HeyHeyHey on Apr 8, 2019 20:33:05 GMT -5
It also slides down 24-25 on airplay but it makes sense given the big first day debut is gone.
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recordyear
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Post by recordyear on Apr 8, 2019 21:30:28 GMT -5
Sold 32k first week and is all-genre #1.
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trustypepper
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Post by trustypepper on Apr 8, 2019 21:35:51 GMT -5
Yeah, his performance last night has me sold. This is one of the best singles of his career.
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Marv
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Post by Marv on Apr 8, 2019 23:34:24 GMT -5
Wonderful performance of a wonderful song; nice to have the real Blake Shelton back on the radio.
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recordyear
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Post by recordyear on Apr 11, 2019 23:49:30 GMT -5
Music video.
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Post by tim on Apr 12, 2019 0:56:12 GMT -5
I wasn’t expecting to like “God’s County” as much given the title of the song but I’m really digging this and it’s for sure one of his strongest singles since...well a long time. Save for the If I’m Honest era Blake has really put out some great material since Bringing Back the Sunshine. I’m also stoked that Devin Dawson is a co-writer for this as I very much expect this to be nominated at the CMA’s later this year.
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