Texas (Blake Shelton song)

Blake Shelton was inspired to write the song by the music of country singer Ronnie Milsap. In an interview with American Songwriter, he said "It kind of walks a line that's a little bit of a 'Stranger in My House' or something like that. It's kind of got this haunting thing about it, but you can also jam out and rock out to it at the same time." He went on to reveal that "When I went in and played three or four things for BMG, they're the ones that went, 'Oh my God, this song.' Then as I went around and played it for other friends and family and people that I work with. It was unanimous every time I played it for people. They were like, 'Play that again.'" One man also demanded to hear 'Texas' three times in a row before letting Shelton leave the meeting. In regard to his own opinions, Shelton stated:

It was exactly what I was praying for throughout this process. I am to the point in my career where I've started to think people maybe a lot of times we're going to wait to see what I say first. I feel like I want to make a big swing at this thing this time, and I hope that it's as right as it can be. We didn’t even have to have those conversations with "Texas." It was just, "Oh my God, we're doing this." I knew I loved the song, but I don't record songs that I don't love. So that was the easy part to, know that I loved it. I needed to know what other people thought about it before I was willing to say, "Let's come with it first." I haven’t done this in a long time, and I wanted it to have an impact.{{cite web |last1=Watts |first1=Cindy |title=Blake Shelton's Hero Inspired Him to Record Haunting New Song "Texas" (Exclusive) |url=https://americansongwriter.com/blake-sheltons-hero-inspired-him-to-record-haunting-new-song-texas-exclusive/ |website=American Songwriter |access-date=24 March 2025 |date=November 18, 2024}}

Shelton has stated, "The thing that struck me about 'Texas' immediately was how different it sounded for me, and I'm always looking to push myself. I think there's something really special about this record and it feels important to me. This is the perfect opportunity to come back with something so different, and it easily felt like it should be the first single. It's connected with what I've done but moves forward at the same time, and it's the perfect start to the next chapter of my career." A press release described the song "captures the classic theme of lost love with a twist and nod to George Strait."{{cite web |title=Blake Shelton to Release New Single "Texas" on November 15 |url=https://www.bbrmusicgroup.com/blake-shelton-release-new-single-texas-november-15/ |website=BBR Music Group |access-date=24 March 2025 |date=November 12, 2024}}

The song is about a man who is left by a free-spirited woman and wonders about her whereabouts.{{cite web |last1=Black |first1=Lauren Jo |title=Blake Shelton Gives A Witty Nod To A George Strait Classic In Bold New Single, 'Texas' |url=https://countrynow.com/blake-shelton-gives-a-witty-nod-to-a-george-strait-classic-in-bold-new-single-texas/ |website=Country Now |access-date=24 March 2025 |date=November 15, 2024}} When he is at the bar, people constantly ask about her. He eventually speculates she is in Texas. In the chorus, Shelton references George Strait's song "All My Ex's Live in Texas": "She's probably in Texas / Amarillo, all I know / George Strait said it / Yeah, that's where all them exes go / If she ain't with me out here in Tennessee / Then I don't know where she's headed / If I'm guessin', I reckon / She's probably in Texas".

The music video was released alongside the single. Directed by Ada Rothlein and Jennifer Ansell, it features actress Genesis Rodriguez, who plays Blake Shelton's ex-girlfriend. She is seen driving down wide open roads in her convertible. Meanwhile, Shelton thinks of her as he is sitting in a bar. At the end of the clip, she buries a suitcase with a tracker to elude him.{{cite web |last1=Blackwelder |first1=Carson |title=Blake Shelton drops music video for new single 'Texas': Watch here |url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/blake-shelton-drops-music-video-new-single-texas-watch/story?id=115909533 |website=ABC News |access-date=24 March 2025 |date=November 15, 2024}}

Blake Shelton performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on November 20, 2024.{{cite web |title=Blake Shelton – Texas |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLWyWDz8TO0 |website=YouTube |access-date=24 March 2025 |date=November 21, 2024}}

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Category:2024 singles

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Category:Blake Shelton songs

Category:Song recordings produced by Scott Hendricks

Category:BBR Music Group singles

Category:Songs about heartache

Category:Songs about country music