You know that feeling when a song comes on and you can’t tell if it’s a total joke or a genuine anthem? That’s basically the legacy of Boys 'Round Here. If you’ve spent any time in a dive bar or a tailgate since 2013, you’ve heard it. You’ve probably even shouted the hook yourself. You know the one: "Chew tobacco, chew tobacco, chew tobacco, spit." It’s repetitive. It’s loud. Honestly, it’s a little bit gross if you think about it too hard. But man, it stuck.
When Blake Shelton dropped this track, the country music world kind of short-circuited. Some people loved the swagger. Others thought it was the moment country music finally "jumped the shark." But whether you think it’s a masterpiece of redneck culture or a collection of every cliché known to man, there is no denying that the blake shelton chew tobacco spit song changed the trajectory of his career. It wasn't just another radio hit; it was a cultural flashpoint that defined the "Bro-Country" era.
The Story Behind the Infamous Hook
Most people assume Blake just sat down in a room with a tin of dip and started rhyming. That's not how it happened. The song was actually written by a trio of Nashville heavyweights: Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, and Craig Wiseman. These guys are the "Peach Pickers," and they specialize in songs that feel like a Saturday night in a small town.
According to the writers, the "Chew tobacco, chew tobacco, chew tobacco, spit" line wasn't even the first thing they wrote. It came out of a session where they were trying to capture the rhythm of a Southern summer. They wanted something that sounded like a chant. Something primal. Something that you didn't have to be a poet to understand.
Why the Beatles Got a Shoutout
One of the most debated lines in the song is the opening: "Well the boys 'round here don't listen to the Beatles." People took this way too literally back in the day. Fans of the Fab Four were actually offended! But Dallas Davidson later explained that he didn't hate the Beatles. He just grew up in Albany, Georgia, where nobody was blasting Sgt. Pepper from a Silverado. They were listening to "Bocephus" (Hank Williams Jr.). It was about being honest regarding the local soundtrack, not throwing shade at Paul McCartney.
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Why Boys 'Round Here Polarized the Country Fanbase
Let's be real: this song is weird. It’s got a hip-hop beat, a talking-vocal style, and a "red-red-red-red-redneck" intro that sounds more like a club track than a Grand Ole Opry performance.
- The Rap Element: Blake isn't exactly Kendrick Lamar. When he started "rapping" the verses, traditionalists lost their minds. They felt the genre was losing its soul to drum machines.
- The Clichés: Trucks? Check. Cold beer? Check. Dirt roads? Check. Prayer to the Man Upstairs? Double check. It hit every single trope on the list.
- The "Dougie" Reference: Blake mentions that none of the guys in Kentucky know how to do the "Dougie." By the time the song came out, that dance was already kind of old news, which made the song feel either hilariously out of touch or intentionally "dad-country."
Despite the critics, the song was a monster. It went Multi-Platinum. It peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. People were hungry for something that didn't take itself so seriously, and Blake—the guy who spent his nights on The Voice making fun of Adam Levine—was the perfect vessel for it.
The Secret Ingredient: The Pistol Annies
If you listen closely to the backing vocals, you’ll hear some familiar voices. Blake didn't do this alone. He brought in the Pistol Annies, which featured his then-wife Miranda Lambert, along with Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley.
Their "Ooh, let's ride" refrain gives the song a layer of harmony it desperately needed. It shifted the vibe from a "boys' club" track to a party song that everyone could get behind. It’s also a time capsule of a specific moment in country music history where Blake and Miranda were the undisputed King and Queen of Nashville. Seeing them collaborate on something so goofy and successful was a peak "Era of Blake" moment.
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How the Song Impacted Blake’s Career
Before the blake shelton chew tobacco spit song, Blake was known for big ballads like "The Baby" or story songs like "Ol' Red." He was a "serious" country singer. Boys 'Round Here blew that image up. It leaned into his persona as the class clown of country music.
It proved that he could dominate the charts without needing a tear-jerker. It gave him permission to be "the fun guy." Without this song, we might not have seen the later hits that leaned into that same irreverent energy. It allowed him to bridge the gap between his Oklahoma roots and his new identity as a massive TV star.
Common Misconceptions About the Lyrics
There is a clean version of the song, and it’s actually the one most people know. In the radio edit, the line "Backwoods legit, don't take no sh*t" is changed to "don't take no lip."
Interestingly, many people think the song is a literal endorsement of chewing tobacco. While the hook is iconic, the song is more about the vibe of the lifestyle than a commercial for Grizzly or Copenhagen. It’s about the habit as a social marker. In that world, spitting is just part of the background noise of a Friday night.
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The Geography of the Song
The lyrics mention Kentucky, but Blake is an Oklahoma native through and through. The songwriters have said the song is meant to represent the "entire South," from the red dirt of Oklahoma to the backwoods of Georgia. It’s a catch-all anthem for anyone who feels more at home in a honky-tonk than a skyscraper.
Actionable Takeaways for Country Fans
If you're revisiting this track or trying to understand why your uncle still plays it at every BBQ, keep these things in mind:
- Look for the Satire: Blake has often hinted that he knows how ridiculous some of these lyrics are. The song is meant to be a caricature. If you treat it like a serious piece of art, you’re missing the point.
- Check Out the "Celebrity Mix": There is a version of this song that features a ton of other artists. It’s worth a listen if you want to see just how deep the "Bro-Country" rabbit hole went in the mid-2010s.
- Context Matters: Listen to it alongside songs from the same year, like Florida Georgia Line’s "Cruise." You’ll start to see how the "chew tobacco spit" line was part of a larger movement to make country music more rhythmic and "swagger-heavy."
Whether you love it or hate it, Boys 'Round Here remains one of the most successful and recognizable songs in modern country history. It’s a masterclass in how to build a brand around a single, catchy, and slightly controversial hook. Next time it comes on the radio, just remember: you don't have to listen to the Beatles, but you probably should know when to spit.
To see how Blake's style has evolved since this era, you can check out his more recent discography or watch clips of his live performances at his Ole Red bar locations.