
Peak
63
Weeks
3
Score
202
Chart Year
2026
The music video for "Stay Country or Die Tryin'" was directed by Adam Rothlein and Jennifer Ansell and was released on June 27, 2025. The video uses AI as a tribute to country life and land.
"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'
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 10, 2026 | 65 | 61 |
| 2 | Jan 17, 2026 | 63 | 63 |
| 3 | Jan 24, 2026 | 86 | 40 |