The song is the second single from Born
While Kenny Chesney’s albums have always been a reflection of his life, the world around him, and the people he encounters, the precedent-setting artist has always put a premium on finding songs that also embody the lives of people who have led lives a lot like he did growing up in East Tennessee. Values-driven, friends- and family-oriented, his music tackles turning points, hard truths and all the joy one can create along the way, and it helped “Take Her Home” become his 33rd – and record-extending – No. 1 at Billboard and his 36th No. 1 at Country Aircheck.
To celebrate that achievement, Chesney leaned into No Shoes Nation to pick the life-turning song’s follow-up. The result captures the existential thrill of being alive. After listening to social media, streaming services and random run-ins with fans across the nation, there was only one choice for the country superstar.
“Everywhere we went, everyone was asking for the same song,” Chesney reports. “Everybody wanted us to release ‘Just To Say We Did.’ It was insane how almost unanimous it was, but it’s also pretty much a perfect summer song. I mean, if there’s ever a time when you’re gonna get out of your comfort zone, do something crazy or unthinkable, it’s now.
“And the thing I loved about the song when we were putting Born together was that idea of ‘shoot your shot!’ Whatever it is, forget the excuses – just do it! Don’t look down, don’t look back! Just jump into the moment and ride it for all it’s worth.”
Savory and smart, the percolating midtempo absolutely leans into that embrace-the-moment, take-the-chance reality that has defined No Shoes Nation. As Chesney said when the album was coming out, “What can I say? ‘Just To Say We Did’ sounds like me and my friends growing up, and so many people I’ve met along the way. It’s a song where whatever it is, why not? Get out there and live, shoot your shot, do that bucket list thing – just to say you did. When you can boil down how to create real joy into three minutes that feel this good, I want to sing that song.
“And I think this summer since we’ve been out on the Sun Goes Down Tour, ‘Just To Say We Did’ captures a lot of the energy we’re live on. Not just my road family, but all those crazy, awesome folks pulling up and tailgating out in the parking lots where No Shoes Nation comes to life every weekend. I can’t always get out there among ’em, but that doesn’t mean I don’t hear them or see them, because I do – and it reminds of growing up in the best way possible.”
The Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour, presented by Blue Chair Bay Rum, has been shattering Chesney’s previous records at almost every stadium he’s played this year. Beyond scratching to find more seats multiple times in Tampa and Philadelphia, as well as a third show at Foxborough, MA’s Gillette Stadium, Chesney most recently topped his best at Chicago’s Soldier Field by two thousand tickets.
