Blake Shelton is sharing details of his new duet with Gwen Stefani. The husband and wife team up for a new song, “Hangin’ On,” for his forthcoming For Recreational Use Only album, out on May 9.
“It’s actually a break-up song that’s about breaking up and still trying to stay together,” Shelton reveals to Access Hollywood. “That’s the title, ‘Hangin’ On.’ It’s really no reflection of where Gwen and I are, in our relationship, I hope. But it’s a bada– country song, and we wanted to do it. It’s a song that pushes us vocally, and we just loved the song. We’re to a point in our lives, we just want to do songs that we love, and then see what happens I guess later.”
Shelton spoke to Access Hollywood backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, where he both hosted and performed for the Opry 100: A Live Celebration. The Grand Old Opry member and Stefani have recorded several duets over the years, ever since they began dating in 2015. The Oklahoma native says it’s likely that he will always include Stefani on all of his future projects.
“I don’t feel like I want to make a record without a duet with Gwen on it anymore,” Shelton says on the Today Show. “She’s my favorite person to sing with.”
Shelton has yet to release “Hangin’ On,” but he has already dropped two songs from his new record, both his Top 10 single, “Texas,” and , “Let Him In Anyway.” The latter, written by HARDY, Zach Crowell and Jameson Rodgers, is one of the more emotional songs that Shelton has ever released.
“‘Let Him In Anyway’ is one of the most powerful songs I’ve ever had the chance to record,” Shelton says of the song. “HARDY is a co-writer and a friend, and I’ve never heard a song like this before. When I first listened to it, I knew it was something special. It’s an honor to bring it to life, and I’m incredibly proud of the record we made.”
For Recreational Use Only is Shelton’s first album on BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, after leaving his former record label, Warner Music Nashville, where he had been for 23 years. The record, produced by Shelton’s longtime producer Scott Hendricks, also features collaborations with Craig Morgan on “Heaven Sweet Home,” and John Anderson on “Years.
“It’s been a long time since we had a new album out, and I want to thank the songwriters and musicians who helped bring this record to life,” Shelton said when announcing the new project. “Scott and I have been working on this music for years, and I’m beyond excited to finally share it with the fans.”
See a track list for For Recreational Use Only below. Pre-order the record, and find all of Shelton’s music and tour dates at BlakeShelton.com.
For Recreational Use Only Tracklist:
1. Stay Country or Die Tryin’ – (Drew Parker, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis, Beau Bailey)
2. Texas – (Johnny Clawson, Kyle Sturrock, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman)
3. Hangin’ On (feat. Gwen Stefani) – (Sam Ellis, Charles Kelley, Greylan James)
4. Strangers – (Michael Hardy, Zach Crowell, Jameson Rodgers)
5. Let Him In Anyway – (Michael Hardy, Zach Abend, Kyle Clark, Carson Wallace)
6. Heaven Sweet Home (feat. Craig Morgan) – (Chris Tompkins, Sarah Buxton, Jake Rose)
7. Life’s Been Comin’ Too Fast – (Craig Wiseman, David Lee Murphy, Lindsay Rimes)
8. Don’t Mississippi – (Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Ben Hayslip, Josh Osborne)
9. All of My Love – (Colton Swon, Zach Swon)
10. Cold Can – (Bobby Pinson, Josh Osborne, Andrew DeRoberts)
11. The Keys – (Jay Brunswick, Brock Berryhill, Bobby Pinson)
12. Years (feat. John Anderson) – (Pat McLaughlin, John Anderson, David Ferguson, Daniel Auerbach)
Photo Credit: Courtesy of NBC