By Marissa Massare, Living and Arts Editor
Sometimes my friends cringe when I get the chance to control the aux cord or playlist because country music immediately fills the speakers. My friends know to expect nothing less at this point.
Country duo Dan + Shay released their newest single “10,000 Hours” with Justin Bieber last Friday and it’s already been on my replay list since then.
Beliebers haven’t been gifted with a new album from Bieber since 2015 when he released “Purpose.” Since then, he’s been featured in Ed Sheeran’s “I Don’t Care,” Billie Eilish’s “bad guy” and most recently Dan + Shay’s “10,000 Hours.”
This was Bieber’s first appearance on the country charts, according to Billboard.
Dan + Shay, who were Susquehanna’s fall concert performers in 2017, have gained national attention after their hit “Tequila” rocked the nation in 2018 and earned a nomination for the Grammy’s best country song and won the Academy of Country Music song and single of the year.
The duo, comprised of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, are looking for their next hit, with “10,000 Hours.”
“10,000 Hours,” is a traditional love song, which seems to be Dan + Shay’s forte after their previous hit single “Speechless” stirred many heartfelt emotions, especially with the music video, which featured clips of both Smyers’ and Mooney’s wedding days.
It doesn’t help that Bieber recently had an official wedding ceremony on Sept. 30 to his wife, Hailey Bieber.
Smyers, Mooney and Bieber are all featured in the “10,000 Hours” music video, alongside their wives, Abby, Hannah and Hailey, respectively.
The video already has over 24 million views. Despite being your typical love song, as an avid listener of country music, I can’t help but replay this song with lyrics like “I’d spend 10,000 hours and 10,000 more, oh if that’s what it takes to learn that sweet heart of yours.”
The combination of lyrics and music video leaves me feeling like everything is going to be alright. Sometimes all we need in life is someone to care for and to care for us. That’s the message of this song, to spend time and get to know somebody, and to love more than just their physical beauty, but also their background and what and who makes them the person someone fell in love with.
Even if you’d listen to anything but country music, “10,000 Hours” is subtle and not overbearing in its country genre placement, therefore definitely worth a listen.
For Bieber fans who are patiently waiting for new music from the pop sensation, this may hold you over until the time of his next music release. For now, Dan + Shay featuring Bieber is what you might need on a rainy day or even when you just need to smile.
I have a feeling we might be hearing a lot of “10,000 Hours” not only on the charts and the radio, but like Dan + Shay’s “Speechless,” during any upcoming wedding receptions.
