“But I also think when you record music, you want as many people listening to it as possible. “I think a song like that is going to reach a lot more people just because you’re reaching out into maybe the pop world and grabbing some people over there - not that I want to be a pop singer by any means,” says Aldean, a native of Macon, Ga. Aldean sees plenty of upside in pushing the envelope in country radio.

It sold more than 4 million and remains the biggest-selling song in digital history for a male country solo artist. The song, co-written by Aldean and fellow star Brantley Gilbert, went on to became Aldean’s biggest song. The 2010 single also generated mixed opinions before being green-lighted as a single. “Dirt Road Anthem,” which featured a pair of rap segments to go with its easygoing country sound, is another example of the adventurous side to Aldean’s music. “Burnin’ It Down” isn’t the only time he’s gambled on a song that tested country radio’s status quo. So to me it was a no-brainer, but it was one that I really had to go to bat for pretty hard.”

There was no doubt when you heard that song, and still when you hear it, you know what it is, you know who sings it, what the song is, and that, to me, is half of the battle. It’s like it was something that was really different and sort of unique. “It wasn’t going to just blend in to the 39 other songs that are on the radio. “I felt like it was something that was really different and something that we really needed for the album, and something that wasn’t going to be confused with any other song,” he says.

Jason aldean burnin it down album