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10 Best Blake Shelton Songs
Did your favorite Blake Shelton songs make the cut?
Blake Shelton; Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Blake Shelton has been cranking out the hits since 2001.
Making his debut with his iconic ballad “Austin,” Shelton has gone on to release 11 studio albums and has notched a whopping 26 career No.1s.
We’re taking a look back at Blake Shelton’s incredible catalog of his to rank our 10 best songs by the Oklahoma native.
10. “Came Here to Forget”
Written by Deric Ruttan and Craig Wiseman from If I’m Honest (2016)
“Came Here to Forget” was the first single Shelton released to country radio following his highly publicized divorce from Miranda Lambert. Tinged with heartache, the song tells the familiar story of two people looking for a rebound after their previous relationships fell apart. Though he didn’t have a hand in writing the song, Shelton said the tune was “a direct look into my life.”
9. “Ol’ Red”
Written by James Bohon, Don Goodman and Mark Sherrill from Blake Shelton (2001)
Originally recorded by the legendary George Jones and covered by the great Kenny Rogers, “Ol’ Red” found its way to Blake Shelton in the early 2000s and was released as the Oklahoma native’s third single. Though it didn’t reach the top of the charts (it peaked at No.14), Shelton considers “Ol’ Red” his signature song and even named his chain of restaurants after it.
8. “Boys ‘Round Here” (feat. Pistol Annies & friends)
Written by Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Craig Wiseman from Based on a True Story… (2013)
Shelton is probably the only country artist who could ever pull this one off. With outlandish, yet memorable, lyrics like “Red red red red red red red red redneck” and “Chew tobacco, chew tobacco, chew tobacco, spit” “Boys ‘Round Here” embraces everything about the stereotypical Southern lifestyle. Though some critics tore Shelton apart over this one, it has become a fan-favorite and a staple in his live show.
7. “Some Beach”
Written by Rory Feek and Paul Overstreet from Blake Shelton’s Barn & Grill (2004)
Country music fans love a good double entendre, so it’s no surprise that Shelton’s quirky “Some Beach” made its way to the top of the charts.
6. “The Baby”
Written by Harley Allen and Michael White from The Dreamer (2003)
“The Baby” is country music storytelling at its best. Shelton’s delivery and impeccable interpretation of the song proved his staying power. The song became the singer’s second chart-topping single in early 2003.
5. “Lonely Tonight” (feat. Ashley Monroe)
Written by Brent Anderson and Ryan Hurd from Bringing Back the Sunshine (2014)
“Lonely Tonight” is a traditional country ballad about a late-night booty call. Featuring vocals from the incredible Ashley Monroe, the emotional duet was praised by critics and went on to receive a Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
4. “I’ll Name the Dogs”
Written by Matt Dragstrem, Ben Hayslip and Josh Thompson from Texoma Shore (2017)
With its catchy melody and clever lyrics, “I’ll Name the Dogs” was an instant hit. Filled with mentions of marriage and babies, the song had fans speculating if Shelton was ready to take the next step in his relationship with girlfriend Gwen Stefani. Built around the line “You name the babies and I’ll name the dogs,” this charming tune is simply one of Shelton’s best.
3. “Hillbilly Bone” (feat. Trace Adkins)
Written by Luke Laird and Craig Wiseman from Hillbilly Bone (2010)
“Hillbilly Bone” is the perfect representation of Shelton’s personality and an excellent choice for a duet with Trace Adkins. The light-hearted track earned Shelton his very first ACM Award (Vocal Event of the Year) and marked the beginning of a long run of consecutive No.1s for the superstar.
2. “God’s Country”
Written by Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt and Devin Dawson from TBA (2019)
“God’s Country,” was released in 2019 and it quickly became one of the biggest hits of Shelton’s career. “It just sounds like a missing link in country music for the last 10 or 12 years,” he once shared of the tune.
1. “Austin”
Written by David Kent and Kirsti Manna from Blake Shelton (2001)
Not many artists can say they launched their career with one of the greatest country songs of all time, but Shelton certainly can. “Austin” spent a whopping five weeks atop Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in 2001 and is still played by many country radio stations to this day.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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