Format Digital download Length 3:18 | Genre Country Label Lionsgate Television | |
Released April 21, 2015 (2015-04-21) | ||
"Shotgun" is a song recorded by American singer Christina Aguilera. It was featured on episode "The Storm Has Just Begun" of the third season of Nashville. The song was released on April 21, 2015 as a promotional single for Nashville.
Contents
Aguilera sang the song at the 50th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, accompanied by Rascal Flatts. Their performance segued into "Riot," from the country trio's Rewind album.
Background
Aguilera recorded this for the ABC drama Nashville in which the singer played Jade St. John, the ex-fiancee of former record label boss Jeff Fordham, over three episodes. Aguilera also recorded the song "The Real Thing" for the series.
Speaking to ABC News, Aguilera described her character:
"Jade St. John is a pop star, but her first love is in country and she really wants to make a country album. And as she's passing by town with her tour, she really takes the opportunity to sort of experience Nashville and make some contacts for herself. But really she's just a huge fan of country and she just wants to dive right in."
Critical reception
"Shotgun" received mostly positive reviews from music critics. Ashley Cooke of Roughstock also gave the song three stars out of five. Cooke wrote: "This time we are faced with a ballad style mostly country, no other contamination; the song is very soft, the basic, stripped of elements, is characterized by the guitar that accompanies the entry of Christina, in this passage used with a low register and a vibe very sweet and emotional. Banished the usual cries that are a trademark of the Aguilera factory but that, perhaps, they are not so useful to give to the songs that something extra (just think of Say Something)".
Charts
"Shotgun" debuted at number 28 on the US Hot Country Songs, becoming Aguilera's first entry on the chart. It also debuted at number 14 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100, and it managed to sell 30,000 copies before it was taken down from iTunes that week.