Blake Shelton - “She Wouldn’t Be Gone”
Songwriters: Jennifer Adan and Corey Batten
While the recording of “Home” could be considered an artistic endeavor for Blake Shelton, he reaches a little too far on his next single, “She Wouldn’t Be Gone.” After reviewing Pat Green and Toby Keith’s latest offerings, I made a remark about expecting to see more singles of their nature released. By that remark, I was referring to songs that place style over substance, and this song continues that trend. It’s all about nailing the melody rather than providing a legitimate interpretation that accentuates the lyrical content, although Shelton does do a pretty good job of injecting what limited emotion he can.
Nevertheless, this is the kind of performance and song that won’t be remembered a couple of years down the road, much less when Shelton is no longer recording. Rather than play the game and achieve temporary success, Shelton has the talent to leave behind a legacy if he chooses the right material, and that’s what makes a release like this disappointing.
Thematically, “She Wouldn’t Be Gone” would have fit well on Pure BS–give “What I Wouldn’t Give” a listen and notice the similarities–so it doesn’t make much sense to release a single from a new album when the previous album had plenty of better songs that might have helped push it to Gold status, just like his previous three albums. It’s also odd that WB would only have two planned single releases from the original album before allowing Shelton to record “Home” and issue a reprint.
In addition, Shelton’s phrasing and breathing are awkward enough to not make the song easily memorable or singable, decreasing it’s chances at chart success. He certainly doesn’t have the advantage of automatic spins like Rascal Flatts or Kenny Chesney, so this comes across as pandering to the radio audience, but considering the direction producer Scott Hendricks went with Chris Cagle’s latest album, it’s nothing new.
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Current Discussion
- CMW: Dudley: You acknowledge that "the choice of 'I Told You So' has potential strategic implications for Carrie’s positioning in country music" ...
- Matt B.: I actually think this song was written quite well, regardless of what we interpret his intentions to be. And, ...
- Brady Vercher: I haven't seen anything bordering on outright hate for the song, but the converse of that statement also holds true ...
- northtexas: Matt B. summed up the reaction of some of the folks here with this line in his review: "there’ll be ...
- dudley: Stormy: My point is that Wilcox is accusing the Carrie camp of trying to claim the traditionalist mantle with the ...
- Gloria: I loved Carrie's performance and I loved the song! Rascal Flatts, well, that do nothing for me! I couldn't stand ...
- Stormy: Dudley: The marketing of a song isn't the reality of that song. Nashville: Actually, it explains a lot about ...
- plain_jo: I really like Tomlinson's voice and I think the song is just a reflection of what we as Americans feel ...
- Leeann Ward: Great review! Songs like these are frustrating. I didn't like "One Wing In The Fire" either though. His voice ...
- Brady Vercher: Tomlinson is certainly taking a look back at a non-existent utopia. Did he forget about the Great Depression, WWII, the ...
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August 1, 2008 at 1:19 pm Permalink
The song is definitely not memorable, I agree. It just moves too fast and the lyrics are flying by you without being able to take them in. He hits the ending of the chorus with the title lyrics very well, and actually, he almost always does, but the rest of the song is just not very pleasant to listen to.
August 1, 2008 at 1:29 pm Permalink
I like it. I especially like the quirky melody. Although there were a couple of places where his voice seemed a bit strained, overall I give it a thumbs up. On a scale of 1 to 10, I give it a 7.5 on the first listen. I’ll play it again later at home where I can turn it up louder and really hear everything (cant do that at work!)
August 1, 2008 at 1:45 pm Permalink
When I first heard it, I liked it. Then the chorus was stuck in my head all day. The more I hear it, the more I like it. I love the vibe of the song, overall. Thumbs up from me! :)
August 1, 2008 at 2:32 pm Permalink
I love that Blake isn’t afraid to make new music.
Very refreshing to me that he takes risks with that strong voice of his.
August 1, 2008 at 3:00 pm Permalink
I loved this song too upon first listen. I think it’s very catchy and I’m hoping it does well for him.
August 1, 2008 at 3:16 pm Permalink
I actually liked this song, but I think that his voice is too strong sometimes.It almost seems like he’s getting ready to punch a wall or something with the way he punctuates some of his words. I’ve never liked the way he sang Chris Knight’s “It Ain’t Easy Being Me”, because of the way he punctuated the words like “work” and “jerk” with such force. I do like his powerful voice, though, and was surprised with the treatment that Pure BS received, since it had some potential hits that were unreleased.
August 1, 2008 at 4:00 pm Permalink
Your review sucked, you must be some kind of nut. That is the best song of his career, I have listened to it about 40 times and the more I hear it the more I want to hear it. I wake up in the middle of the night and it is going in my head, I can’t get enough. And Mr. Shelton will be around forever with that voice of his, he is the only artist out there that can put enough emotion into a song and bring it to life. He is GREAT!
August 1, 2008 at 4:14 pm Permalink
Precisely what kind of nut are you, Brady? I’ve been wondering that myself.
August 1, 2008 at 4:17 pm Permalink
I was trying to figure out what I was and I think I might be an acorn.
August 1, 2008 at 4:20 pm Permalink
See, that’s the problem with your reviews Brady. You don’t listen to the songs enough times for the subliminal messages to work.
August 1, 2008 at 4:29 pm Permalink
How can this song be running through your head? I’ve heard it probably 10 times and still can’t sing along (yes, I love to sing along! haha) since the majority of the lyrics aren’t spoken clearly or slowly enough.
August 1, 2008 at 4:37 pm Permalink
I’m more of a “chest nut,” if you catch my meaning.
August 1, 2008 at 4:38 pm Permalink
ouch.
August 1, 2008 at 4:55 pm Permalink
Don’t forget to tip your waiters, folks!
August 1, 2008 at 5:22 pm Permalink
Blake just has a really rich vocal that, like Joe Nichols, he often wastes on subpar material. Great review here. I agree. It is different and that’s cool to stretch your wings and whatnot, but I just don’t find it vocally appealing. I don’t hate it, but I don’t really care if I ever hear it again.
August 1, 2008 at 5:28 pm Permalink
Well with the ringing endorsements of posters named Patti, Connie, & Kim I have to conclude that Blake’s good looks and charm have cast a spell over female listeners like a country Svengali! (lol) The song is okay but Blake is capable of soooo much better. There were a handful of songs on “Barn and Grill” superior to this but they were sadly “Too Country” for the schlock loving programmers at airhead country radio.
I really like Blake as an artist and I get concerned that releasing lackluster singles may shorten his radio career prematurely. I think Miranda is distracting him and he needs to let her go (say to Southern California) to get his focus and judgement back on track…..(lol)
August 1, 2008 at 7:29 pm Permalink
I’ll just lay it out there: I like this song because Blake is cute and the 15-year-old girl in me thinks, wow, how cool would it be to have that hunky guy so anguished about meeeeee….
Ah, got carried away there for a minute.
August 1, 2008 at 7:30 pm Permalink
That’s okay Jaime, the 15-year-old in me snerks, “Yeah, but Blake, you were banging Miranda The Jailbait. She probably still would have left.”
August 1, 2008 at 7:36 pm Permalink
Stormy, as 15-year-olds I just don’t think our friendship would have worked. :)
August 1, 2008 at 7:50 pm Permalink
I was that whole Sassy/Daria scene.
August 1, 2008 at 8:02 pm Permalink
I’ve listened to this song several times now and I love it– Patti’s right, the lyrics do get stuck in your head. I hope Blake proves you wrong & this one is another hit for him!
August 1, 2008 at 8:03 pm Permalink
Stormy, I was more of the Cornjulio scene myself….
August 1, 2008 at 8:12 pm Permalink
Daria was a spawn of Beevis and Butthead.
August 1, 2008 at 8:30 pm Permalink
Ok, so I’m beginning to think I am the oldest one on this board. :-(
August 1, 2008 at 8:45 pm Permalink
Paula, I’m 52 so you’re a kid in my book! (ie kid = anyone under 50 at this point. lol) Cornjulio is also a Beavis & Butthead reference from the “Beavis & Butthead Do America” movie just in case you didn’t know….
August 1, 2008 at 8:49 pm Permalink
Oh goodie! I’m a kid for three more years!!!
August 1, 2008 at 10:31 pm Permalink
i agree with connie, i like it that Blake takes risks and doesn’t sound like a “cookie cutter” musician where all his songs sound alike, as for instance, kenny chesney, not saying i don’t like him, just saying all his songs have that same familiar sound. keith urban is kind of like that too and i’m sure the list goes on & on
August 1, 2008 at 11:02 pm Permalink
I agree, Blake doesn’t have all his songs alike. This one just happens to sound alike to a Toby Keith song, instead.
August 2, 2008 at 1:52 am Permalink
I’m a big Blake fan but I don’t like this song at all,it’s not quite up to his usually high standards. I really don’t like the instrumental arrangement or his delivery of the verse. However I do like the chorus, but that’s the only part of the song that does anything for me.
August 2, 2008 at 10:04 am Permalink
Wow, lotta fans of this song it seems. I think Blake is one artist who the charts have treated fairly, as his best songs have peaked at the top of the charts, while his other stuff hasn’t done so well. I guess we’ll find out how this does. I just don’t think it measures up when listening to Blake’s great work, varying from a super ballad in “Don’t Make Me” to the fun “Some Beach”.
August 2, 2008 at 10:14 am Permalink
Not the worst song, but not the best song either.
August 2, 2008 at 10:34 am Permalink
Like Rick, I think Barn And Grill was Blake’s best album. I don’t think Miranda is bringing him down though, since her work and music tastes are over all less mainstream than Blake’s. I’m actually surprised that Blake isn’t more popular with radio, since his music fits very well into the mainstream format. While I like Blake, it’s not like his music is any smarter or or less slick than much of what their playing these days.
August 2, 2008 at 1:07 pm Permalink
I’ve always been a big fan of Blake’s music. However, I have not liked his last two offerings. His near carbon copy re-make of “Home” really put me off, and this one does nothing for me either. Unlike a lot of singers, Blake is great with lyrics (which is why many of his songs do well on radio), but he doesn’t take his time with the lyrics here and I don’t like the production. Overall, this is too Rascal Flatts for Blake. He’s still great, but if he puts out an album of songs just like this one, I won’t buy it.
August 2, 2008 at 2:55 pm Permalink
Hmmm…I’ve never thought of Blake’s work as being too lyrically special, including this one.
I enjoy him, but the last released song that I’ve really, really liked by him was “Some Beach”, which was more than a couple of years ago now.
August 2, 2008 at 3:23 pm Permalink
anybody that don’t like this song has something wrong in their ears. I absolutely love it!!!! It might be my favorite so far. It’s about time he changed his music so he can be more like the people that sing “Bob YOur Head”.
And as far as “Home” being on country radio, I never heard the song before then, so I see nothing wrong with redoing it so Country music folk can hear a great song too. THe Today Show liked Blake’s version better and I did too after going and hearing the pop guy sing it.
August 2, 2008 at 3:25 pm Permalink
You know it don’t matter if you liked “Home” or not, it went to #1 for 2 weeks so what does that tell you? You MORON
August 2, 2008 at 3:27 pm Permalink
If Home was such a carbon copy, why did a lot of people like Blake’s version better then Buble?
August 2, 2008 at 3:33 pm Permalink
If “Home is so awful why has it been #1 for 2 weeks on billboard and GAc #1 video for 4 weeks? Some people just can’t stand for a guy who has worked so hard get a little bit of recognition
August 2, 2008 at 3:37 pm Permalink
You need to turn that thumbs down up and into your A–!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 2, 2008 at 4:05 pm Permalink
Uh oh!
August 2, 2008 at 5:04 pm Permalink
That’s okay, I know how to deal with this:
Daniel: My ear has a small external infection where a friend’s kid pulled on my earring and ripped the piercing a little. Is THAT why I don’t like this song?
Jeff & Brad: It tells us that Home went to #1 for 2 weeks. What was is supposed to tell us? Is this going to be one of those two planes pass problems Cause I always hated those.
Angie: How come some people liked Micheal Buble’s version better? And why did I hate both and rebelliously download Joe Diffie and Marc Broussard’s songs by the same name? And why did Doughtry’s song Home do better then all other songs called Home combined, despite it being wuss rock and Chris being kind of a tool? These are the mysteries we may never know.
Don: Can you please provide Brady with a thumbs to letter grade and exclamation point conversion chart?
August 2, 2008 at 5:10 pm Permalink
If he’s worked so hard Brad, then how come he doesn’t write any of his own songs and also chooses a cover of a pop/AC song for a single? Don’t make it seem like BS works any harder than all the country acts out there.
August 2, 2008 at 5:18 pm Permalink
I have to interject that Blake technically does write some of his own songs. They’re just not often released for some reason. I wish they had released “I Have Been Lonely” from Pure BS, a song he wrote with Rachel Procter. I think he started in Nashville with a publishing deal?
Stormy,
August 2, 2008 at 5:19 pm Permalink
Stormy, I think Diffie’s version *is* better than all the other home songs too. Even Alan Jackson’s “Home” isn’t bad.
August 2, 2008 at 5:37 pm Permalink
I was always a believer that greatness in any form inspires controversy. But now it’s apparent to me that crap in all its forms can also be just as inspiring …
August 2, 2008 at 5:40 pm Permalink
Oh, wait. I just thought of something else: So many posters on here are pointing out a song’s chart success as a genuine ‘reason’ the song is good. Have any of you people making these claims turned on your radio these days? By your logic then, every piece of Rascall Flatts bad-as-watered-down whiskey songs or Taylor Swift’s prom queen anthems are also classics.
August 2, 2008 at 5:59 pm Permalink
Leeann: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV_eeDKzqlM
is my favorite Home, but Joe’s is a close second.
August 2, 2008 at 6:07 pm Permalink
There should be a warning at the top of every comment thread:
Please do not use the following to defend a song:
a) Chart position
b) Sales numbers
c) Assertions that “every song doesn’t have to be a masterpiece”
d) Explanations that it was inspired by a friend or relative with a life-threatening disease
e) Excessive usage of exclamation points
f) Abuse of the CAPS LOCK key
*Applies to songwriters only
August 2, 2008 at 6:08 pm Permalink
Damn! Imagine there’s an asterisk after d).
August 2, 2008 at 6:54 pm Permalink
Stormy,
That’s pretty catchy! I think I’ll go and download it too.:) I’m not familiar with his music, except for his duet with LeAnn Rimes.
Chris N, I agree.
August 2, 2008 at 6:56 pm Permalink
PS. I love to hear a good “story behind a song”, but I want it to be relevant and don’t want it to be manipulative or speculative.
August 2, 2008 at 7:48 pm Permalink
buying an ipod may be a waste of money then. those remaining three songs you can probably learn by heart.
August 2, 2008 at 8:29 pm Permalink
I pods are a waste of money anyway. Creatives are cheaper and then zen has a radio.
August 2, 2008 at 8:32 pm Permalink
Leeann - I didn’t mean that the lyrics to Blake’s songs are particularly special, I just have always really liked his delivery. I didn’t like his delivery on this song. Listen to “Austin” and then this song. However, it’s very likely that it’s just the song and the production that mess it up for me. But, I’m just a moron, so what do I know? ;)
Stormy: Broussard’s “Home” is definitely my favorite of the three “Homes”! The rest of his album, however, is nothing to write home about.
August 2, 2008 at 9:39 pm Permalink
Stormy,
Okay, I found an eight minute version of Broussard’s “Home.” Is it the right one? I can’t tell by the clip; it doesn’t sound the same as your youtube link.
Lynn, I get ya now. I agree…but I don’t agree that you’re a moron. Everytime I read or hear that word, though, I think of how Reba always said it on her sitcom! So, then I have to laugh.
August 2, 2008 at 9:48 pm Permalink
Reba said it like 2 guys’ names - Moe Ron.
August 2, 2008 at 9:49 pm Permalink
Leeann: Mine clocks in at 5:05 so I would guess no. Its off the cd Carencro.
Lynn: Tell me about it. I have never been more diappointed in a cd in my entire life than I was in the rest of Carencro.
August 3, 2008 at 12:51 am Permalink
Anyone else think this has a “Josh Gracin” feel to it? I would like to hear him sing this song actually.
August 3, 2008 at 7:18 am Permalink
Jim Reeves recorded a song titled “Home” (writtn by Roger Miller) that was a pretty good song. I prefer it to the other “Home” songs although the Joe Diffie song is a very close second
August 3, 2008 at 8:51 am Permalink
I think my favorite home song is “Home”- a country ballad that Bonnie Raitt recorded on her Sweet Forgiveness album. The writer, Karla Bonoff, does an OK version too.
August 3, 2008 at 11:37 am Permalink
Since we’re on the topic of good songs titled “Home”, I’ll toss in a plug for the song from Harmony James. Harmony is an indie Aussie country artist who works as a government animal welfare agent in the Northern Territory. “Home” is one of the four fine songs on Harmony’s 2007 debut EP and is currently climbing the Aussie country radio charts. I don’t think there is a music video but two of the other songs “Tailwind” and “Somebody Stole My Horse” do have music videos on YouTube. The videos are super low budget, but Harmony is an indie artist after all…..
Harmony’s 4 EP songs can be listened to in their entirety with great sound quality at:
http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=93161
Stormy, I think you’d like this gal…
August 3, 2008 at 1:47 pm Permalink
I do.
August 3, 2008 at 2:26 pm Permalink
careful with these “i do” answers, stormy
August 3, 2008 at 2:36 pm Permalink
I to am a big BS fan, but this one is not so great to me. I wish he would have released one more from Pure BS. Like “This cant be good” or something.
August 3, 2008 at 2:38 pm Permalink
Also, Stormy the Miranda remark up there was not called for.
August 3, 2008 at 4:45 pm Permalink
Thomas: Its okay, I have an all occasions pre-nup.
Miranda: But it was funny.
August 4, 2008 at 1:25 am Permalink
still think this sounds like a josh gracin song
August 4, 2008 at 2:12 pm Permalink
Stormy: I agree. Marc Broussard’s “Home” is the best of all the “homes.” But I am gaga over pretty much anything he does.
LeeAnn: You will not be sorry familiarizing yourself with Broussard’s catalog.
Chris N: Nice guidelines. I concur and thanks for making me chuckle over the remembrance of the Aimee Mayo thread.
Blake Shelton: Oh, yeah, he was the subject of the thread topic. I think he has great song stylings. I just want him to pick better songs to style. :)
August 4, 2008 at 2:46 pm Permalink
I think it’s a pretty good song. It’s not his best song and there were a lot of other good ones on Pure BS, but this isn’t going to be killing anybody (like “She’s A Hottie” stupidest song).
August 4, 2008 at 11:58 pm Permalink
The more i hear this song, the more im liking it. Although i think pretty much all of Blakes stuff is well above par of most of the other male country singers these days.
August 10, 2008 at 7:09 am Permalink
Anyone think that parts of this sound like “More Than a Memory” at 45 RPM?
August 11, 2008 at 12:49 pm Permalink
this song is fricken amazing!!
it is one of my absolute favorites by him.
he is amazing ehn i hope that he keeps making amazing songs..
August 13, 2008 at 4:02 pm Permalink
I agree with you… Shelton definitely has the potential to leave a legacy… although he’s not there yet. And great comment regarding Chris Cagle’s producer. He’s one of the guys attempting to push Nashville country into the lap of 90s pop/rock… while Third Eye Blind was a great band, the last thing I want to hear is an eventual cover of “Semi-Charmed Life” with fiddles and banjos mixed in.
August 15, 2008 at 9:21 am Permalink
The thing that you all don’t understand about Blake is that he is not afraid to choose a song that he feels suits him best. I know Blake personally, and he truly thinks about his song choices that will suit him and his listeners. Blake is purely country and will never be the Rascal Flatts or Kenny Chesney that you all think that he should be. He won’t ever go to the more “Pop Style Country”. Blake has the most incredible voice probably in the country music industry. He honestly tries to put out the best music that will show his vocal ability and also be a song that his fans will love. I love this song because it take him to a new level of his musical ability. His vocal talent is truly amazing and this song shows it. He took it to a new level of not doing the typical “country - i lost my dog” type of country but taking it to a different country level for him but still staying true to what he believes in. I am very proud of you Blake!
September 7, 2008 at 7:13 pm Permalink
Props to Cory Batten and Jennifer Aden for co-writing this song! I read every single post on this page and if you all thought Blake did a good job singing it, you should hear Cory sing it. I agree that this song tested Blake’s vocal abilities, and he needs a song like this to show off his voice. If you hear Cory sing it, maybe you would understand where Blake comes from with the way in which he sings “She Wouldn’t Be Gone”. Cory has an amazing voice with an incredible range and Blake was smart to imitate him. So great job, Blake! The real congrats goes to Cory and Jennifer for mixing up the traditional country sound to create a unique one! By the way, just because you can’t sing along with it doesn’t make it a bad song….you just need to hear it a few more times to catch the flow of it. I did! Now go listen to Cory and try to catch a show in Nashville!
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