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Thomas Rhett truly examines ‘life changes’ on “Sixteen,” the third single from his third studio album, ‘Life Changes.’  

Thomas Rhett hit it big in 2015. His sophomore album Tangled Up ended up going platinum.  That’s a huge feat in an age where singles dominate.  Speaking of singles, Rhett scored a couple of gold and platinum singles, led by multiplatinum, Grammy-nominated single, “Die A Happy Man.” After dropping the deluxe edition of album no. 2, T.R. gets ready to drop his third studio album, Life Changes (September 8, 2017). “Sixteen” represents the third single released in advance of Life Changes.

What’s the significance of Sixteen? Rhett looks back at being carefree at the age of 16. Actually, he starts at 15 leading into 16 for good measure.  His lyrics encompass driving, and looking forward to “an unsupervised Saturday night.” But, he doesn’t just focus on 16.  He focuses on the other milestones he’s already reached and passed.  That would be 18, 21, and now 25.  Essentially, he examines life and things associated with certain ages.  How each age grows more mature and priorities change.  By the end, he’s married, “drinking wine with his wife.”

Some observations about “Sixteen” is that as more of a pronounced country sound.  Skeptics tend to consider Thomas Rhett too contemporary or rather, too pop.  “Sixteen” sounds more in the country wheelhouse, but again, not too country for a broader audience.  Still, if Rhett was looking for a crossover audience, he wouldn’t put “Sixteen” out there first.  Of course, in the order of singles, he didn’t…

Final Thoughts 

All in all, this is another, respectable single from Thomas Rhett. It’s not revolutionary or game changing, but should appeal more to the country fan base compared to, say, “Craving You.” Minimally, “Sixteen” makes another argument for the potential appeal of Life Changes.

Thomas Rhett • Life Changes • Big Machine • Release: 9.8.17

Photo Credit: Big Machine