4
Apr

Jason Aldean & Kelly Clarkson — “Don’t You Wanna Stay”
(from My Kinda Party) — Don't You Wanna Stay (with Kelly Clarkson) - My Kinda Party

I resisted this one for the longest time, because it just screams premeditated event record, and I tend to resent being force-fed the Kool-Aid and told that I have no choice but to love something. But this stunner hums with a riveting undercurrent of raw sexually-charged desperation that can’t be denied: even though he sings one of the precious few songs to name-check my hometown, I never much cared for Aldean until I caught his collaboration with Bryan Adams on an episode of CMT Crossroads last year, and the unique mix of comfortable warmth and icy determination in his voice — think Alan Jackson crossed with Bob Dylan — has become oddly compelling. And the ever-dependable Clarkson — taking her second chart-topping detour into the crunchy lane — matches her partner note for sizzling note, proving that, when pop radio inevitably grows tired of her (and, let’s face it, with GaGa and that abominable Ke$ha currently carrying the torch over there, the clock could well be ticking), she has a second home waiting for her with arms outstretched.

1 response to “when a goodbye kiss feels like this
(or: april 4’s honey from the hive)”

  1. the buzz from A.:

    Why, oh why, do you fight these “premeditated” blockbuster hits? If it’s a good song, it’s a good song, Kool-Aid or no Kool-Aid! Also, how frequently need you disparage Lady Gaga and Ke$ha?

    P.S. You seem to be on a roll — I seem to be buying most of your country selections from the hive lately, with the definite exception of Easton Corbin.