Red River Blue

Album: Red River Blue (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This Ray Stephenson and Buddy Owens penned breakup lament finds Blake Shelton pairing up with his wife (at the time) and fellow country singer Miranda Lambert. Despite the interest in the duet between the newly wedded couple, Shelton admitted it was unlikely to get radio airplay due to the red tape involved when a song features artists from different labels - Shelton was with Warner Music Nashville, while Lambert was signed to Sony Music Nashville.

    "That's one of the things that drive me and Miranda crazy about Nashville," said Shelton. "The fact that it's so hard to collaborate with people. Look at other genres, and that's almost all they do! It seems like they know what they're doing, as far as selling a lot of music. So it's frustrating.

    It's a thousand wonders that it worked out with 'Hillbilly Bone,' because looking back, Trace [Adkins] probably knew he was leaving his label and then everything worked out where it could be a single," he continued. "Otherwise, that probably would have never happened, and I can't imagine where my career would be without that song."
  • Shelton earned his very first Platinum album when Red River Blue was certified in early 2013 by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales in excess of one million copies.

Comments: 1

  • EmilygoodenoughTexoma sky.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Dean Pitchford

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.