With “I Lived It” Blake Shelton gently pokes fun at himself while recalling the virtues of yesterday. The warm, slow country breeze uses familiar ribbon to softly tie Texoma Shore together.
The nostalgic details of this new song come tumbling out one at a time. Old country habits like pouring grease back into a Crisco can and using tobacco juice to heal a bee sting bring back a world that was less automatic …. and a song from 2014. It is absolutely fair to compare this ballad’s to ex-wife Miranda Lambert‘s “Automatic,” but they’re siblings, not twins. Ashley Gorley, Ben Hayslip, Rhett Akins and Ross Copperman have penned an original.
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Later in the song Shelton talks about a time when “Hollywood was fake and wrestling was real.” The lyrics mean something different when The Voice coach delivers them — here his tongue is firmly planted in cheek, but it’s not distracting. The love/hate relationship the singer has with Hollywood becomes more fascinating by the minute. He’s a reality television staple that retreats to his Oklahoma farm whenever possible. His girlfriend Gwen Stefani epitomizes southern California, yet he’s resolute in not letting his own image drift westward. Any other singer would have frosted the tips of his hair a long time ago.
“Oh, you think I’m talking crazy / In a different language / You might not understand / Oh, that’s alright / That’s just the kind of life that made me who I am,” Shelton sings to begin the chorus of “I Lived It.” His performance is honest and the production true to his roots. Anyone old enough to remember a grandfather who smoked with the car windows tightly sealed understands why he’s celebrating the memory. These thoughts are what build character, for better or worse.
Texoma Shore hits stores and digital retailers on Friday (Nov. 3).
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This Article Was Originally Posted at www.TasteofCountry.com
