Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Mid-Pandemic, Blake Shelton’s “Minimum Wage” Deemed Tone Deaf

Blake Shelton's "Minimum Wage"
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

Blake Shelton’s “Minimum Wage” was officially released on January 15, 2021. It’s the lead single from his upcoming album, which he will put out later this year. Jesse Frasure, Corey Crowder, and Nicolle Galyon wrote this single while Scott Hendricks produced it. 

However, it dominated the headlines even before it hit the record stores after its live premiere on December 31, 2020 during NBC’s televised event.

Although the Grammy-nominated country star clarified that he’s simply singing a love song, several radical Twitter users don’t agree so.

The lyrics “Your love is money / Yeah, your love can make a man feel rich on minimum wage” received backlash as it was deemed tone deaf by many listeners. 

RELATED: Blake Shelton Songs That Have Captivated Fans Over the Years

With its explicitly socially relevant title, the song was released later in the same day when President-elect Joe Biden announced his stimulus plan. Part of his action plan was to increase the federal minimum wage to $15/hour, twice the current minimum wage amount. 

Unsurprisingly, the tune doesn’t try to unravel the crucial issue of income inequality across the USA.

Blake Shelton was quick to address the issue surrounding his latest single. He underscored the fact that the lyrics are singing about how love can make someone feel “rich” even when they’re actually “poor.”

However, many listeners didn’t buy his explanation, noting how he could release such a song during the period when unemployment rates have been skyrocketing. Other Twitter users highlighted that it’s insensitive of the singer to hint at the issue considering that he’s a multimillionaire, obviously receiving more than the minimum wage.

While the song leaves much room for interpretation, some fans of the country hitmaker took his side, noting his good intentions. 

In an interview with Country Music Television (CMT) two weeks after his New Year’s Eve performance, the singer spoke about his reality. He shrugged off the haters’ comments while saying that the song simply resonated with him since it’s a reminder of how he used to struggle in his years as a budding singer.

He continued speaking about how he was worried about paying his rent, just like any other struggling artist out there. Yet, he said that he wouldn’t trade his struggles for something else because those made him who he is today.

So sure about is stand, the multi-awarded country crooner simply ended his response to the bashers with the line, “We’ll just have to agree to disagree.”

Have you listened to Blake Shelton’s “Minimum Wage?” Do you think it’s enough to agree to disagree during the most problematic year in recent world history? 

Let us know what you think about the song. If you haven’t caught up with the lyrics yet, listen to the song below:

Latest Stories

Josh Weathers raises over $337000 in a livestream concert fundraiser to help Texas families devastated by catastrophic floods.

Josh Weathers Raises Over $337000 in Livestream to Help Texas Families Hit by Floods

A guitar in hand and a heart the size of Texas. That’s Josh Weathers right now. While storms swallowed up gigs and highways across Central Texas, this Fort Worth native ...

Lauren Alaina fires back at trolls who mom-shame her for bottle-feeding her newborn, pictured holding baby Beni Doll Arnold.

Lauren Alaina Fires Back at Trolls Who Mom-Shame Her for Bottle-Feeding

A bottle in one hand and zero time for strangers’ opinions in the other. That’s how Lauren Alaina’s rolling and some loudmouths just found out the hard way. If you’ve ...

Kelly Clarkson seen emotional in a past photo, echoing fans’ heartbreak after she canceled her Vegas opening night due to illness.

Fans Are Heartbroken After Kelly Clarkson Cancels Vegas Opening Night Due to Illness

Nothing guts a diehard fan like standing in line for hours only to get hit with the words “Show’s off.” Kelly Clarkson found herself in that brutal spot last weekend ...

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton perform together on stage, teaming up for a new duet that might break country radio charts.

Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton Team Up for a Duet That Might Break Country Radio

Sometimes, country music gives you a pairing that is so perfect that you wonder what the hell took so long. Well, here we are. Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton are ...

Dolly Parton smiles in a sparkling gown, proving she’ll always look glamorous on the outside to match how she feels inside.

Dolly Parton Shares Glamorous Photo Says She’ll Always Look How She Feels Inside

Some folks roll out of bed looking like they just survived a bar fight but not Dolly damn Parton. On July 1, the queen of country herself dropped a glamorous ...

Lee Greenwood performs live in a patriotic shirt, years after nearly shelving “God Bless The USA,” now America’s beloved anthem.

Lee Greenwood Almost Didn’t Release “God Bless The USA” as a Single, Now It’s America’s Anthem

Sometimes, the songs that shape a nation nearly get buried on the B side. Back in 1984, Lee Greenwood was on a solid run of hits and living out every ...

Keith Urban smiles on stage in Akron, Ohio, where he made a heartfelt gesture for a blind fan that moved the audience to tears.

Keith Urban’s Sweet Gesture for Blind Fan Leaves Sister Thanking Him for Truly Seeing Her

Some moments at a concert feel bigger than the music. This was one of them. Keith Urban‘s always been one of the good guys in country, but fans at his ...

Gracie McGraw, seen here at a past event, recently left fans laughing on Instagram comparing herself to Jurassic dinosaurs.

Tim McGraw’s Daughter Gracie Leaves Fans in Stitches Comparing Herself to Dinosaurs

Sometimes, you just need a reminder that not every celebrity kid takes themselves too seriously. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s oldest daughter, Gracie McGraw, just gave the internet a masterclass ...

Willie Nelson smiles while performing onstage with his iconic guitar, as rumors swirl about Baylor University banning him.

Did a Texas University Ban Willie Nelson or Was He Just Too Much of an Outlaw to Show Up

Only Willie Nelson could have a “campus ban” rumor stick for 40 years and make him look even more like the cowboy rebel everyone loves. If you’ve ever cracked open ...

Roy Rogers, smiling in his signature cowboy hat and embroidered suit, remembered by fans as the King of the Cowboys in 1998.

On This Day, Fans Remember Roy Rogers, the King of the Cowboys, Who Rode Off in 1998

Sometimes the cowboy who taught America how to ride tall in the saddle and tip a hat with a smile is the one who leaves the biggest boots to fill. ...