Country musician Thomas Rhett goes ‘left of center’ on “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time,” the promo single for his fourth studio LP.

“Just take a sip and let’s pretend like it’s your birthday / Just dive right in, girl, the tequila’s fine, so fine / She said, ‘You know I love a party / Don’t threaten me with a good time.’” Grammy-nominated contemporary country singer Thomas Rhett is definitely NOT your father’s country musician.  Rhett is among the new breed of country musicians willing to experiment and integrate and fuse a number of different styles.  That’s exactly what he does on “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time,” the promo single from his highly-anticipated fourth studio album, Center Point Road (June 2, 2019).  And no, don’t get this Little Big Town assisted record with the awesome Panic! At the Disco song of the same title from Death of a Bachelor (2016).

It goes without saying that “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” stretches the country script, even bearing some cues that are indeed idiomatic. The record features a totally inescapable, and infectious groove.  This definitely throws traditionalists off but piques the interest of anyone who loves a sick beat. The ultimate sound of the record is mix of contemporary country, funk, R&B, and pop. Despite its quirks, the form of “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” is straightforward – verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge (or third verse), chorus, outro… The production features funky, biting horns (think old-school soul and funk), rhythmic guitar, and some cool keyboard riff. There’s also a rocking guitar solo, even if it’s sort of predictable.

Rhett is consistently the dominant voice, but there are moments when Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town sings solo briefly, or alongside him.  The vocal harmonies by Little Big Town are definitely a selling point, not to mention when the whole group sings alongside Rhett on the soulful, high-energy chorus:

“Hop on up on that counter
Let me see how you move
Let me up there beside ya
Stand back, watch me cut loose
Pour a little liquor, make this living
Watch me set this night on fire
Baby, you know I love a party
Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, some will love “Don’t Threaten Me with a Good Time” while others will roll their eyes. From my perspective, there’s definitely something here, particularly if you examine this as a ‘pop’ song as opposed to characterizing it as outright country music.  Give Thomas Rhett credit for his willingness to shake things up and try new things.

Thomas Rhett • Center Point Road • Big Machine • Release: 6.2.19

Photo Credit: Big Machine