Real Friends

Album: Real Friends (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This ode to blue-collar camaraderie is a duet between Chris Janson and his good pal Blake Shelton. The pair trade lyrics during the swagger-heavy tune about some of the things "real friends" do for each other:

    Fish that you ain't gotta reel in
    Call 'em and they'll be the first ring picker-uppers
    Get you unstuckers
    Same town, same twang, different mothers
  • Though Janson brought in a "real friend" to accompany him on the song, he still went through the proper channels to recruit Shelton. The singer explained to Radio.com that he didn't want to personally call his pal for fear of putting him in an awkward situation should he not want to take part. "It's strictly on an artistic basis," he said. "I felt in my heart that Blake was the best to collaborate with on this song."
  • The song is the title track of Janson's Real Friends album. Janson explained why it was so significant for him to duet with a close pal on the tune. "I made Real Friends with actual real friends. I produced the album with real friends, wrote all the songs with real friends, took all the photos for the project with my best friend and wife, Kelly."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Is That Song Public Domain?

Is That Song Public Domain?Fact or Fiction

Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?

Brenda Russell

Brenda RussellSongwriter Interviews

Brenda talks about the inspiration that drove her to write hit songs like "Get Here" and "Piano in the Dark," and why a lack of formal music training can be a songwriter's best asset.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.