Stay Country or Die Tryin'

Album

For Recreational Use Only

Label

Wheelhouse Records

Genre

Country

Composer(s)

Beau Bailey;Graham Barham;Sam Ellis;Drew Parker

Entered Chart

Jan 10, 2026

Peak Date

Jan 17, 2026

Released

May 19, 2025

"Stay Country Or Die Tryin'" is an unapologetic ode to country living, doubling down on the themes of hard work, faith, family, and pride in rural roots. Blake Shelton sings of generational ties to the land, the toughness of rural life, and the pride that comes from staying true to one's roots even when it isn't easy or lucrative. Born and raised in the small town of Ada, Oklahoma, Blake Shelton takes pride in his country heritage. On this track, songwriters Beau Bailey, Graham Barham, Sam Ellis and Drew Parker pile on rural references. The themes of patriotism, faith, and the simplicity of country life make it a quintessential Blake Shelton song in the same ballpark as "Hillbilly Bone," "God's Country" and "Come Back As A Country Boy." Shelton said: "When I heard 'Stay Country or Die Tryin,'' it took me back to the first time I heard 'Ol' Red' or 'God's Country.' It's got so much energy and is full of those little catchphrases and things we say out in the country. I absolutely fell in love with it." Scott Hendricks, a longtime collaborator of Shelton's, produced "Stay Country or Die Tryin.'" The musicians give the song a swampy, stomp-along groove that's all but begging to be blasted from a tailgate. They are: Bryan Sutton: acoustic guitar, mandolin Tom Bukovac: electric guitar Troy Lancaster: electric guitar Sam Bergeson: electric guitar Nir Z: drums, tambourine Gordon Mote: piano, Hammond B3 Aubrey Haynie: fiddle "Stay Country or Die Tryin'" is the opening track on Shelton's 13th album, For Recreational Use Only. It sets the tone for a record with themes of faith, family, and fun. This is a man who, despite the lure of Hollywood lights (and a pop star wife), still seems happiest with a fishing rod and a fresh can of Copenhagen. Shelton debuted the song during a live appearance on NBC's Today show on May 13, 2025 as part of the Citi Concert Series, where he performed for a live audience. He released it as a single from his album For Recreational Use Only six days later. Shelton sang "Stay Country or Die Tryin'" on May 26, 2025 at the American Music Awards on a barn-themed stage adorned with hay bales and a massive American flag backdrop, emphasizing the song's patriotic and country roots.

Seven generations from a dirt road corn crop
Boots ain't ever seen easy street
Where a skeeter gets slapped 'bout as fast as a star drops
Roots run deep in this family tree

Ooh-ooh, bust your ass, still won't make a killin'
Ooh-ooh, it's a lifestyle, it ain't a livin'

From the red, white, and blue flyin' high at the farm
To the Boone and Crockett stud on the wall in the barn
Where the magnolias bloom, there's a lab on the lawn
Where your buddy and your boat both got the name John
In God, we trust
Detroit, we rust
Redneck letter testifyin'
From the born in the cut
'Til the day that I'm dust
I'ma stay country or die tryin'

I don't do much thinkin' 'bout time in a pine box
Sure as hell ain't scared to go
I'm a hardheaded God-fearin' man from the boondocks
Chisel that shit on my cobble head stone

Ooh-ooh, Bible, and an almanac up on the shelf
Ooh-ooh, Daddy prayed for rain, Momma paid for me to stay out of hell

From the red, white, and blue flyin' high at the farm
To the Boone and Crockett stud on the wall in the barn
Where the magnolias bloom, there's a lab on the lawn
Where your buddy and your boat both got the name John
In God, we trust
Detroit, we rust
Redneck letter testifyin'
From the born in the cut
'Til the day that I'm dust
I'ma stay country or die tryin'
Woo!

Ooh-ooh, baptize me where the water's real muddy
Ooh-ooh, wash me clean, still come up country

From the red, white, and blue flyin' high at the farm
To the Boone and Crockett stud on the wall in the barn
Where the magnolias bloom, there's a lab on the lawn
Where your buddy and your boat both got the name John
In God, we trust
Detroit, we rust
Redneck letter testifyin'
From the born in the cut
'Til the day that I'm dust
I'ma stay country or die tryin'

Or die tryin'