I’m not going to argue with quiet, since so much of country radio these days is way too loud.
So yes, “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking” is laid back, almost too laid back. It certainly would be a snoozer with a lesser vocalist. But Blake Shelton demonstrates why he’s finally in the Male Vocalist race with the nuances that he brings to a song that could’ve been too dull or too leery in the wrong hands.
I like the creativity of some of the questions here, most especially when he wonders if she paints her toes because she bites her nails. I had to think about that one for a few seconds, but it made me crack a smile.
There was a beautiful album cut by Chely Wright called “Unknown” a decade ago, where she wonders if anyone will ever discover her little idiosyncrasies. This feels like an answer song to that, and a darn good one to boot. I would’ve liked another verse or two, but what’s here is solid.
Written by Earl Bud Lee and John Wiggins
Grade: B+
Listen: Who Are You When I’m Not Looking
I really like the song but I already have the Joe Nichols version so I’ll pass on Blake’s.
I’ll second that, Bob. I prefer the Nichols version as well. It is a nice song that is sure to do well on the charts.
It’s a beautiful-sounding track. Some of these lines just push the cutesiness too far for me given the song’s reverential tone – the sliding down the hallway in socks, the box of chocolates, the toenails thing.
Also, I hadn’t heard the Chely Wright song, but what a good hidden treasure. I think history will be kind to her.
The Joe Nichols’ version bores me, but this version at least sonically interests me.
I also think this song needs another verse. It’s a good song, but it ends too soon – it has me expecting it to dig even deeper, but it really doesn’t.