“It Hurts So Deep It Heals” — Blake Shelton’s New Song ‘Let Him In Anyway’ Has Fans Sobbing and Speechless.LC
Blake Shelton’s upcoming single, “Let Him In Anyway,” from his new album For Recreational Use Only, hasn’t even been officially released, but it’s already leaving fans—and industry insiders—reeling from its emotional impact.
Written by Hardy, Zach Abend, Kyle Clark, and Carson Wallace, the song is a soul-stirring ballad about grief, forgiveness, and faith. It paints the haunting picture of a flawed loved one standing at Heaven’s gate, pleading for redemption. The chorus’s plea, “If He’s still got room for sinners, Lord, let him in anyway,” has been described as one of the most moving lines Shelton has ever recorded.
A Song Too Powerful to Contain
Shelton himself was overcome when first hearing the demo, but it was his wife, Gwen Stefani, who had the most visible reaction. According to reports, Gwen cried through multiple listens before an event, prompting Blake to gently tease her, “You’ve got to pull it together, honey.” Their emotional connection to the song underscored its raw authenticity.
But the most intense—and nearly tragic—reaction came from Chris Oglesby, Senior VP of Creative at BMG. Having just delivered a eulogy for his brother-in-law, Oglesby found himself deeply struck by the song’s message of loss and forgiveness. Shortly after listening, he began experiencing chest pains and drove himself to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where doctors confirmed he was having a heart attack.
Oglesby received four stents and has since recovered, but he later joked that Shelton’s song was “the last push” his heart could handle.
“We Almost Got Charged with Murder”
The incident became a chilling yet oddly humorous story within Shelton’s camp. Jon Loba, label president at BBR Music Group, reportedly told Blake, “You just about got charged with murder, man!”—a lighthearted quip that only highlighted how devastatingly emotional the song truly is.
A Testament to Country Music’s Emotional Core
“Let Him In Anyway” is already being hailed as one of Shelton’s most poignant performances to date, with early reviewers calling it “a modern country hymn.” Beyond its heartbreak, the song reflects the deep spiritual undercurrent that has long defined Shelton’s artistry—faith, forgiveness, and the human struggle to find grace.
As For Recreational Use Only gears up for release, fans are bracing themselves for a record filled with honesty and heartache. If “Let Him In Anyway” is any indication, Blake Shelton isn’t just returning to his country roots—he’s digging straight into the soul of what makes country music timeless.
