Wanting that someone that you shouldn't is a common theme in country music. Among other songs, it was explored earlier this year with Kenny Chesney's "You and Tequila," a standout even in his impressive catalog. Speaking of Chesney, the co-writers of his #1 hit "Somewhere with You," J.T. Harding and Shane McAnally, also contributed to Jake Owen's latest release, "Alone with You." And tying this paragraph together in some fashion, it's a song about wanting someone that you shouldn't.

The woman in "Alone with You" only wants the carnal side of things in the relationship, if you catch my drift. Straightforward but effective lines like "Don't slip your hand under my shirt and tell me it's okay" from the narrator make it clear she doesn't want more. He's torn between saying "no, this is wrong" and giving in to impulse and desire. With the song's darker melody and Owen's slightly softer-than-usual performance, the internal conflict and emotions of temptation are in full force. It's overall a very different sound for the usually upbeat Owen, and he pulls it off. 

10 years ago, Shane McAnally was a struggling artist just trying to get his foot in the door with his lone album from Curb Records. Although that got him only a #31 single, McAnally has found recent success writing excellent material for others. It's great to see another artist going back to the McAnally well so soon, and it's great to hear an already-fine artist such as Jake trying something new. Hot off his first #1, Jake has nowhere to go but up.

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