Jason Aldean shared the story behind his duet with fellow country star Carrie Underwood.
Aldean and Underwood released their powerful heartache ballad, “If I Didn’t Love You,” in 2021. The award-winning collaboration was one of 15 tracks to appear on MACON, the first of two installments of a double album that was titled as a tribute to Aldean’s hometown. The second 15-track installment, GEORGIA, followed in 2022. All together, the project also included “That’s What Tequila Does,” “Trouble With a Heartbreak” and more, plus live renditions of Aldean’s career-spanning hits.
“If I didn't love you, I'd be good by now/ I’d be better than barely getting by somehow/ Yeah, it would be easy not to miss you/ Wonder about who's with you/ Turn the ‘want you’ off whenever I want to/ If I didn't love you/ If I didn't love you”
Aldean told iHeartCountry that “If I Didn’t Love You” was written as a duet. He had a few duet partners in mind, but Underwood’s name topped the list, and luckily, she had time in her schedule to record her vocals. Aldean said “when she finally joined in…(she) just kind of took it to a new level, and turned it into this big, huge power ballad.” He went on to share his favorite songs that Underwood has released throughout her career — including her breakout hit, “Jesus, Take The Wheel” — his favorite country duets and more. Watch the interview above.