Did you know Blake Shelton nearly released a Toby Keith song that went on to become one of the late legend’s No. 1 hits?

Shelton appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday night (May 13), talking about his newly-released album, how Post Malone inspired him to work on a new project, his 30th No. 1 single with a nod to George Strait, his upcoming return to The Voice stage and more. During the interview, Jimmy Fallon asked, “is it true that earlier in your career, you almost released a country-rap song?”

“I did. In fact, I recorded the song,” Shelton confirmed. He went on to share why he recorded a country-rap song, and how it ended up going to Keith instead: “So, my producer at the time was a guy named Bobby Braddock, and he wrote me this song because I used to have these stupid raps. I would come into the studio singing every day about, you know, doo-doo and things like that. You know, fun things. And so, he wrote me this song, and we recorded it, and the label at the time said, you know, said ‘we don’t want any part of that song.’ And so, Bobby, the writer of the song, said, ‘well, can I take it and pitch it to other artists?’ And the first person he played it for was Toby Keith, (and) it became one of Toby Keith’s biggest No. 1 songs. it’s called ‘I Wanna Talk About Me.’ …He always reminded me that it found its right home.”

Keith released “I Wanna Talk About Me” on his 13-track studio album, Pull My Chain, in 2001. Keith died after a years-long battle with stomach cancer on February 5, 2024. He was 62. The country music community mourned his loss in heartfelt tributes. Shelton honored the late country star and fellow Oklahoma-born artist when Keith was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October 2024, months after his passing. Shelton was one of three artists to perform in Keith’s honor at the induction ceremony (though he performed “I Love This Bar” and “Red Solo Cup,” rather than “I Wanna Talk About Me”). Post Malone and Eric Church also took the stage to pay tribute to Keith as he was inducted alongside John Anderson and James Burton.

Shelton teamed up with Anderson on one of the tracks on his new album, For Recreational Use Only, which released on Friday (May 9). Shelton’s first album in four years also includes a new duet with wife Gwen Stefani, a collaboration with Craig Morgan, “Texas,” “Let Him in Anyway,” “Stay Country or Die Tryin’” and more. During his time on The Tonight Show, Shelton also played the Best Friends Challenge with Fallon and performed “Texas” from his latest record. Watch the clips below.

Brooke Taylor