There’s a raw, undeniable grit to Chris Janson’s music that hooks you from the first note. It’s country at its core, infused with an edge of southern rock that takes you on a journey straight into the heart of honky-tonk culture. And it’s this potent mix that powers his latest offering, ‘Outlaw Side of Me’, a track that serves as the rambunctious title song of his latest album.
Clocking in at three and a half minutes, ‘Outlaw Side of Me’ is more than just a song – it’s a story, a journey, a romp through the rugged terrains of Janson’s diverse musical persona. As he croons about speeding tickets and star-crossed romances, Janson paints a picture of his own outlaw spirit, brimming with unapologetic, foot-stomping fun. The honky-tonk backdrop and Janson’s electrifying guitar solo imbue the song with an air of rowdiness that’s irresistible.
Janson may be proud with his narrative track. The song captures his multiple personas—outlaw, amorous, raucous rocker, and fun-loving musician—in a self-portrait and hymn for the free-spirited. ‘Outlaw Side of Me’ is country music’s rebellion and Janson’s call to party.
This track’s production bears the hallmark of both Janson and Grammy-winning producer Julian Raymond, who have done a fantastic job of capturing the full spectrum of Janson’s eclectic persona. The lyrics, resonant with a touch of roguish charm, tell a story that’s quintessentially Janson – a blend of mischief and mayhem, romance and revelry, that celebrates the audacity of the outlaw spirit.
The song’s chorus is a catchy confessional, declaring, “I’m a lover not a fighter / No, I don’t go lookin’ for trouble / Ah, but sometimes that trouble just finds me”. It’s a refrain that embodies the outlaw ethos, expressing a love for life’s wild side, a devil-may-care attitude that’s authentically Janson.
Ultimately, ‘Outlaw Side of Me’ is a triumphant assertion of Janson’s artistry. The track’s narrative, coupled with its honky-tonk heartbeat and rip-roaring guitar solos, makes it a standout in an album already teeming with gems. Janson has crafted a song that’s a salute to the outlaw in all of us, a tribute to the joys of defying convention and dancing to the beat of our own drum. In doing so, he has once again proven why he’s one of country music’s most exciting artists, an outlaw in his own right, charting his own course through the vast expanse of the genre.
Chris Janson’s ‘Outlaw Side of Me’ is more than just a song – it’s a riotous, rambunctious celebration of the outlaw spirit. And it’s exactly the kind of raw, rollicking revival that the country-rock scene has been waiting for. As Janson himself would say, “Yeah, that’s the outlaw side of me.”
About Chris Janson
Country’s new generation includes Grand Ole Opry member and multi-platinum composer and musician Chris Janson. “Fix A Drink,” “Good Vibes,” and the triple platinum “Buy Me A Boat” were self-penned No. 1s, while “Done,” “Things You Can’t Live Without,” and “Drunk Girl” were more cerebral. Janson’s songs are used by artists like Tim McGraw (“Truck Yeah,” “How I’ll Always Be”), Justin Moore (“Off The Beaten Path”), Cody Johnson (“Let’s Build A Fire”), and Hank Williams Jr. (“God Fearin’ Man,” “Those Days Are Gone”). His live concerts are where his heart-on-the-four-wheeler songwriting meets his audience. Janson, called “a live legacy in the making” by Rolling Stone, performs at the nation’s major country festivals, tours, and surprise appearances. For a man renowned for his outdoors lifestyle and partnerships with Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, crafting songs from his own experiences has made the harmonica-forward multi-instrumentalist the go-to person for young country for a decade. Janson is headlining his 2023 tour and his BMLG debut song, “All I Need Is You,” is his most-added radio success.
