Jason Aldean: Songs That Should’ve Been Singles

The process of choosing a single for radio is often as arduous a task as writing the song. Each month, Sounds Like Nashville will feature a different artist and explore songs from his or her catalogue that we wish made it to radio. Make no mistake, this is no critique of the artist or label, it’s simply a list of songs we love so much that we think deserve to be in the spotlight. This month, we take a closer listen to Jason Aldean’s back catalogue and find eight gems that warrant airplay.

“Good To Go” – from Jason Aldean

“Good To Go” is featured on Jason Aldean’s debut self-titled album and has the singer taking a serious look back on his life as he waits at a stop light while a funeral procession passes by him. Getting nostalgic and introspective, he is grateful for a solid upbringing, good friends and family and for finding the love of his life. The four-minute song features Aldean’s emotional vocals alongside soaring pedal steel which helps get the poignancy of the track across. “I’ve been thinking about where I’m at / On my not so straight and narrow path / I wouldn’t want to change nothin’ about this road,” he sings.

“Do You Wish It Was Me” – from Relentless

While Aldean is well known for his brand of rock fueled country music, it is on the ballads that showcase his versatility. Aldean gets vulnerable on “Do You Wish It Was Me” as he asks a former lover if she wishes he was by her side and not the other man she chose. “Are you satisfied baby or do you wish it was me,” he asks the woman who settled for what was safe and secure. Although it is uncertain if she abandoned her dreams and passion for comfort, it is Aldean’s questioning of what might’ve been that has the listener taking his side and wishing the two get back together, or at the very least he finds the answer he’s looking for.

“Not Every Man Lives” – from Relentless

Gritty guitar accompaniment is heard throughout this anthemic, arena-ready song where Aldean sings of how every man dies, but not every man truly lives his life to the fullest. “I want to paint outside the lines, run the red lights in my mind, take everything one lifetime has to give,” he sings. His deep vocals and inspiring lyrics combined with the song’s rock edge make this Lee Brice, Billy Montana and Frank J. Myers penned track a memorable one.

“Church Pew or Bar Stool” – from My Kind of Party

A song about finding the courage to chase after your dreams, on “Church Pew or Bar Stool” Aldean sings about his struggles of not fitting in. “These big town dreams that I’ve been chasing will never come true if I wind up staying / I don’t want to fall into the same rut that everybody seems to be stuck in now,” he sings. Written by Josh Thompson, Adam Craig and Michael Howard, it’s a song that encourages those to carve out their own path in life and a much needed message heard on the airwaves to continually remind us all.

“Days Like These” – from My Kind of Party

Perfect for the live setting, “Days Like These” urges the concertgoer to get up on his feet. The warm guitar licks and Aldean’s upbeat vocals also make for an ideal soundtrack to a weekend drive with the windows down and the speakers turned way up. “Days like these they go by way too fast / Days like these you wanna make them last,” Aldean sings.

“If She Could See Me Now” – from My Kinda Party

Aldean isn’t afraid to admit when he’s done someone wrong and “If She Could See Me Now” is proof of this. A guitar driven song with Aldean’s emotional singing style at the forefront, “If She Could See Me Now” has him breaking down after a relationship’s end. It’s a complete contrast as he sings of how he previously showed no emotion when his ex cried in front of him. Written by Bryan Edwards of Indigo Summer, Bill Luther and Justin Weaver, Aldean’s yearning vocals get the song’s storyline adequately across.

“I Don’t Do Lonely Well” – from Night Train

A relatable breakup song, on “I Don’t Do Lonely Well” Aldean shares emotions the listener has felt in his or her lifetime. Penned by Chuck Wicks, Neil Thrasher and Tom Shapiro, “I Don’t Do Lonely Well” includes vivid imagery of a man struggling through the night by himself after the end of a relationship. While he can face the day on his own, once the sun sets it’s a different story as he leaves the TV on for background noise and lays pillows beside him to pretend he’s holding his ex. One of Aldean’s more emotionally charged songs, “I Don’t Do Lonely Well” leaves a lasting mark.

“Too Fast” – from Old Boots, New Dirt

A good reminder for us all to slow down, “Too Fast” has Aldean lamenting about his rocky past and the realization that it’s time to focus on the things that are most important in life. Written by Chris Stapleton and Lee Thomas Miller, “Too Fast” has Aldean concerned about how he has “been busy making a living, not making a life” and no longer wants to be a restless soul wandering the open road by himself. Additional backing vocals belted by Stapleton himself, the song is a much welcomed bluesy side to Aldean’s catalogue.