Blake Shelton & Trace Adkins - "Hillbilly Bone"
By: Bobby Peacock
I've asked this question many times before: Do we really need another country-boy anthem? The answer seems to be, "it depends on how good it is." After only two singles off his recent album Startin' Fires, it's Blake's turn to release his seemingly obligatory "country boy" take. While it's not exactly a master thesis on country lifestyles, it's still way more tolerable than almost any other in the recent deluge of like-themed songs.
"Hillbilly Bone" starts off almost as an inversion of "Holler Back," in that it describes not a displaced country boy in the city, but rather a city boy who's "never been south of Queens" but still has a "hillbilly bone." It's a fairly interesting character sketch that leads into the line "we all got a hillbilly bone down deep inside," and already, the song strikes a rather interesting concept that the likes of "She's Country," "Small Town USA", or even Trace's own "Ladies Love Country Boys" (not that I dislike any of those songs) have never explored. Indeed, it's hard to disagree with the sentiment that we all have a little bit of country boy or girl in us, and by saying that, this song instantly becomes more identifiable to the listener. It still relies on a couple pieces of stock imagery, and the "bone ba ba bone" chorus could be a distant cousin to "that thang, da dang dang dang" (sorry, had to say it), but the fact that "Bone" aims just a little higher is enough to elevate any of the lyrical weaknesses.
Also working in the song's favor are Blake's and Trace's voices. Both singers seem to understand that the song calls for a loose, fun delievery, and that's exactly what they give. They especially sound pleasing on the chorus, where Blake's countertenor and Trace's bass-baritone contrast in a very ear-pleasing high-low harmony. The production is edgy, brash and guitar-heavy, without coming across as a ham-fisted attempt at amping it up.
Lately, it seems that every male artist with more than a couple hits under his belt is required to have at least one single that explores this same territory. But "Hillbilly Bone" is proof that the "country boy" trope doesn't have to be bland and uninspired, and can in fact make for a good, solid song.
READER'S COMMENTS
karsyn larae killingsworth says:
Posted: Monday, February 1, 2010
im stupid suks raw eggs !!!!! hahaha do not report me im her sis
im stupid says:
Posted: Monday, February 1, 2010
justin beiber sings better.........:D
karsyn says:
Posted: Monday, February 1, 2010
i luv hillbilly bone. we all have a hillbilly bone down deep inside no matter were you are you just can't hide it . love you guys.
karsyn says:
Posted: Monday, February 1, 2010
i love the song hillbilly bone. i dance 2 it every sunday morning .
justin terry says:
Posted: Monday, December 7, 2009
blake sheltons song (she wouldnt be gone) is my favorite it helps make u happy when u are feeling lonly and miss some one.
Debbie McCormick says:
Posted: Tuesday, December 1, 2009
I LOVE the song and you can NEVER have to many songs about REDNECKS. My wish is that they would tour together .
Connie says:
Posted: Monday, November 30, 2009
This will be another #1 Country Hit for Blake Shelton.Trace made this song even more fun. Do us all a favor & quit listening to country music now cause Blake will be around a long time. I wish it was for sale on iTunes right now.
Matt B. says:
Posted: Monday, November 30, 2009
Sleeeve, You're likely not gonna be listening any time soon as Blake will be here at least a few more years. Also, the sitar is used in Jonathan Singleton's new single "Look Who's Back In Love."
Sleeeeve says:
Posted: Monday, November 30, 2009
"Hillbilly Bone," like most other Blake Shelton songs, is excruciatingly painful on the ears. There's nothing country about the lyrics or music (throwing the word "hillbilly" into a song doesn't make it legitimately country). However, while it's not saying much, "Hillbilly Bone" is just a tad better than "I'll Just Hold On," where he had the nerve to insult country radio by including a sitar (Adam Lambert included the sitar during country week on American Idol and got roasted by the Nashville industry insiders; Blake Shelton does it and unbelievably gets a free pass with almost no criticism. It's an infuriating double standard, as Nashville politics is king.) Please let me know when Blake Shelton finally quits country music so that I can start listening to country radio again.
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