Dan + Shay, 10,000 Hours | Track Review

Grammy-winning duo Dan + Shay enlist Grammy-winning pop star Justin Bieber for a simple, but incredibly thoughtful country pop single, “10,000 Hours.”

“When you close your eyes, tell me what are you dreamin’? / Everything, I wanna know it all…” Oh, how sweet! “10,000 Hours” arrives after what could be described as a breakthrough for country duo Dan + Shay (Dan Smyers  and Shay Mooney) with their 2018, self-titled album.  The duo won their first Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Tequila”). Focusing on the song at hand, “10,000 Hours” brings a special guest into the fold, fellow Grammy-winner, Justin Bieber.

“10,000 Hours” features chill, contemporary country production work with smooth guitars, and a relatively easy-going drum groove.  There are pop sensibilities from the onset, which definitely fit Dan + Shay, as well as the guest appearance by Justin Bieber.  All parties serve up smooth vocals, beginning with D+S on the first part of the song (verse one, chorus), and Bieber on the second part of the song (second verse, chorus, and bridge). In regard to songwriting, questions drive the lyrics on every line of both respective verses.

“Hours” features a catchy, memorable chorus, performed initially by Dan + Shay, the second time by Bieber, and by all three at the end.  This chorus places emphasis on the power of love:

“I’d spend ten thousand hours and ten thousand more
Oh, if that’s what it takes to learn that sweet heart of yours
And I might never get there, but I’m gonna try
If it’s ten thousand hours or the rest of my life
I’m gonna love you (ooh…)
I’m gonna love you (ooh…).”

As aforementioned, Bieber gets an additional solo spot on the bridge, which once more confirms the love-oriented sentiment:

“Oooh, want the good and the bad and everything in between
Ooh, gotta cure my curiosity
Ooh, yeah.”

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, Dan + Shay keep it short and sweet, but highly effective on “10,000 Hours.”  Justin Bieber is an asset, blending in well on this simple, but well-rounded contemporary country record.  Is “10,000 Hours” a hit? You bet it is!

Dan + Shay • 10,000 Hours (with Justin Bieber) • Warner Music Nashville • Release:10.4.19

Photo Credit: Warner Music Nashville