Stay Country or Die Tryin'

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"Stay Country or Die Tryin'"
Single by Blake Shelton
from the album For Recreational Use Only
ReleasedMay 19, 2025
GenreCountry
Length3:41
LabelWheelhouse
Songwriters
ProducerScott Hendricks
Blake Shelton singles chronology
"Texas"
(2024) 		"Stay Country or Die Tryin'"
(2025) 		"New Country"
(2025)
Music video
"Stay Country or Die Tryin'" on YouTube

"Stay Country or Die Tryin'" is a song by American country music singer Blake Shelton. It was sent to country radio on May 19, 2025, as the second single from his thirteenth studio album, For Recreational Use Only (2025).[1] It was written by Beau Bailey, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis and Drew Parker, and produced by Scott Hendricks.

Background

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Blake Shelton stated that when he heard the song, it reminded him of the first time he heard other songs of his such as "Ol' Red" and "God's Country", due to its high energy and many expressions relevant to rural life.[2] In an interview with American Songwriter, Shelton described the song as a mix of the two aforementioned songs and explained:

The lyric is just a bunch of almost phrases and things that are picturesque to growing up in the kind of backwoods and country, and that diehard mentality. It's, "I know where I come from." That's kind of how we are — a little very prideful, a little bit stubborn. And that's kind of the guy in that song. There's a pride to being a hillbilly and not going to town for any-damn-thing. You know what I mean?[3]

Composition

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The song contains "roaring" guitars,[4] and the sound of a quail is played in the beginning.[3] In the lyrics, Blake Shelton celebrates his country roots,[3][4][5] describing his lifestyle such as working hard without guarantees of financial success and devotion to his parents.[6] He references many symbols of rural culture, including the Bible, American flag, barns and rednecks.[4][6]

Critical reception

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Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic regarded the song as a highlight of For Recreational Use Only and "begging for beer-soaked celebration."[7] Alli Patton of Holler wrote of the song, "While more bogged down in rural buzzwords this time around, the blazing tune is not unlike his insipid hit, 'Boys 'Round Here', from 2013 and 2019's prideful anthem 'God's Country'."[5]

Charts

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Chart performance for "Stay Country or Die Tryin'"
Chart (2025) Peak
position
Canada Country (Billboard)[8] 29
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[9] 11
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[10] 11
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[11] 34

References

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  1. ^ "Country Aircheck Weekly May 5, 2025, Issue 959" (PDF). Country Aircheck. May 5, 2025. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  2. ^ "Blake Shelton Releases New Song "STAY COUNTRY OR DIE TRYIN'"". BBR Music Group. April 11, 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Watts, Cindy (May 11, 2025). ""There's a Pride to Being a Hillbilly": Blake Shelton Compares New Song to "Ole Red" and "God's Country"(Exclusive)". American Songwriter. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  4. ^ a b c Daykin, James. "Review: Blake Shelton 'For Recreational Use Only' New Album". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  5. ^ a b Patton, Alli. "Blake Shelton - For Recreational Use Only". Holler Country. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  6. ^ a b Dukes, Billy (May 14, 2025). "Blake Shelton, 'Stay Country or Die Tryin" Lyrics Tell His Truth [Listen]". Taste of Country. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  7. ^ Yeung, Neil Z. ""For Recreational Use Only" Review". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  8. ^ "Canada Country chart for November 15, 2025". Billboard Canada. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  9. ^ "Blake Shelton Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  10. ^ "Blake Shelton Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2025.
  11. ^ "Blake Shelton Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2025.