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

Three Superstars – McGraw, Swift, and Urban – In One Epic Song, “Highway Don’t Care”

Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban come together for the song 'Highway Don't Care'
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.

Country superstars Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban joined forces together for one epic song: “Highway Don’t Care.” This happened over a decade ago for McGraw’s Two Lanes of Freedom – his first album with Big Machine Records after twenty years of tenure with his previous label.

Written by Mark Irwin, Josh Kear, and country music duo brothers Brad and Brett Warren, “Highway Don’t Care” tells the tale of a man separated from his lover as she goes for a drive. All over the verses, the man’ bets’ what his lover is currently doing or feeling until she turns the radio on.

Brad Warren explained that they wrote the girl’s part as a voice on the radio and is actually not part of the lyrics. When Tim McGraw heard about this, he knew right then and there that the girl’s voice coming through the radio should be by the country-pop star, Taylor Swift.

Indeed, McGraw made the right decision when it comes to choosing his duet partner. The voices of the two talented singers blended so well – making a perfect match.

Of course, we couldn’t miss the guitar licks added by another country superstar, Keith Urban. McGraw revealed that he had always been talking with Urban about recording a song together, where Urban could play the guitar; however, they couldn’t find the right song – until the demo for “Highway Don’t Care” arrived.

And the three artists finally made the impossible, possible! The song was definitely well-received, especially by music critics, with one describing it as “one of the best collaborations of the decade – maybe even ever.” McGraw, on the other hand, couldn’t help but be grateful that he got to record with two of his favorite artists.

As expected, the song quickly became a commercial success. It received unsolicited airplay seven weeks before it was released to the radio and went on becoming a No. 1 hit on the Billboard US Country Airplay and peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard US Hot Country Songs. It then earned triple-platinum certification after selling more than three million units, including streaming data.

It also took home several awards and earned nominations, such as Best Country Duo/Group Performance nomination during the 2013 Grammy Awards. Well, without a doubt, this is one of the most iconic collaborations out there.

Remarkably, McGraw has released a dramatic music video for the song, which aims to raise awareness about the dangers of texting and driving. You can watch the music video for “Highway Don’t Care” below.

Latest Stories

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 herself dropped a glamorous shot online ...

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. ...

Julian Ryan smiles with his fiancée and kids in a family photo before the Texas floods that took his life in a heartbreaking tragedy.

Young Dad’s Heartbreaking Final Words Revealed by Family After Texas Flooding Tragedy

Julian Ryan wasn’t just another name on the growing list of the dead in the Texas flood disaster. He was a father, a fiancé, and, in his final moments, a ...

Miranda Lambert performs onstage at a concert, now under fire for focusing on animals during the Texas floods tragedy.

Miranda Lambert Under Fire for Asking Help for Animals in Texas Floods While People Still Missing

Sometimes, doing the right thing still gets you dragged through the mud. Miranda Lambert, country’s resident dog lover and unapologetic Texas girl, is catching flak this week for what some ...

Texas Floods Leave 51 Dead Including 15 Children as Families Face Unthinkable Loss

Texas Floods Leave 51 Dead Including 15 Children as Families Face Unthinkable Loss

One moment, it was just another summer night in the Texas Hill Country, the next the river rose like an angry giant and tore whole lives apart. According to AP ...