Grammy-winning duo Dan + Shay enlist Grammy-winning pop star Justin Bieber for a simple, but incredibly thoughtful country pop single, โ10,000 Hours.โ
โWhen you close your eyes, tell me what are you dreaminโ? / Everything, I wanna know it allโฆโ Oh, how sweet! โ10,000 Hoursโ arrives after what could be described as a breakthrough for country duo Dan + Shay (Dan Smyersย and Shay Mooney) with their 2018, self-titled album.ย The duo won their first Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance (โTequilaโ). Focusing on the song at hand, โ10,000 Hoursโ brings a special guest into the fold, fellow Grammy-winner, Justin Bieber.
โ10,000 Hoursโ features chill, contemporary country production work with smooth guitars, and a relatively easy-going drum groove.ย There are pop sensibilities from the onset, which definitely fit Dan + Shay, as well as the guest appearance by Justin Bieber.ย 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.
โHoursโ features a catchy, memorable chorus, performed initially by Dan + Shay, the second time by Bieber, and by all three at the end.ย This chorus places emphasis on the power of love:
โIโd spend ten thousand hours and ten thousand more Oh, if thatโs what it takes to learn that sweet heart of yours And I might never get there, but Iโm gonna try If itโs ten thousand hours or the rest of my life Iโm gonna love you (oohโฆ) Iโm gonna love you (oohโฆ).โ
As aforementioned, Bieber gets an additional solo spot on the bridge, which once more confirms the love-oriented sentiment:
โOooh, want the good and the bad and everything in between Ooh, gotta cure my curiosity Ooh, yeah.โ
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Dan + Shay keep it short and sweet, but highly effective on โ10,000 Hours.โย Justin Bieber is an asset, blending in well on this simple, but well-rounded contemporary country record.ย Is โ10,000 Hoursโ a hit? You bet it is!
Dan + Shay โขย 10,000 Hours (with Justin Bieber) โขย Warner Music Nashville โขย Release:10.4.19
Photo Credit: Warner Music Nashville