After stealing the show during this year’s CMA awards, country radio immediately began playing Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson’s power ballad, “Don’t You Wanna Stay.” Hoping to capitalize on the airplay, Aldean’s camp quickly released the song as the second single from Aldean’s My Kinda Party. Will the single become another smash hit for Aldean?In recent years country music stars have not only taken the country world by storm, but some have also been able to crossover into the pop music world. Carrie Underwood had “Before He Cheats,” Taylor Swift has had “You Belong With Me,” and Lady Antebellum became the most recent country superstars to have a smash crossover hit with “Need You Now.” Now that he’s teamed up with pop darling Kelly Clarkson, I think Jason Aldean could see himself crossing over with this pop ballad.
What has plagued Jason in becoming one of country’s best male artists is his lack of versatility when it comes to his single choices. Thankfully he’s ditched the “I’m country-esque” theme for his new single and finds him taking a step towards becoming an all-around great artist. The song isn’t one of the best written songs, the verses are only four lines each, but it’s the performance from Aldean and Clarkson that elevates it to be a great song.
The duet partners’ voices are completely different as Jason has the rough, raspy vocal styling while Kelly offers a more powerful tone. On paper, you wouldn’t think their voices would work well together. However, they prove to be the perfect match on this recording and provide one of the best vocal performances from a duet that I’ve heard in awhile. Though towards the end of the song the vocals are at a near scream as they are fighting to be heard over the heavy production, it all works for some odd reason. I personally think this is one of Aldean’s best singles and could become one of his biggest hits.
All Things Country 