It's not his usual way of doing things, but Aaron Lewis had lots of help when it came time to craft songs for his new country album, which is called Give My Country Back.
Typically, he would write all the songs himself, but this time around he reached out to other established songwriters to help carry the load. Mentally and emotionally, he says, he just wasn't up to it.
"I've always been extremely forthright and deep in my lyrics, and it kind of got to a point where I didn't want to bear all that weight anymore," says Lewis. "It wasn't the pressure of the actual writing of the song; it was the weight of the content of the songs."
Across 10 tracks, Give My Country Back explores themes of accountability, resilience, faith, patriotism and personal growth — pairing gritty throwback country textures with Lewis’ unmistakable vocal intensity.
“That’s life’s struggle right there,” Lewis says. “You are the master of your own destiny, and everything happens because of your actions — whether you want to admit it or not. Self-ownership is a huge thing to learn how to do in this life, and it’s always an internal battle.”
From Staind to Music City
Lewis first made a name for himself as the lead singer of the grunge-flavored alt-metal band Staind, but since 2010 he has also embraced his country music roots that stretch back to his childhood in New England. Now a resident of the Nashville area, he didn't have to look far to find the expertise he needed to put together the new album, released on July 17.
Long known as an outspoken conservative, the artist is pictured on the album cover seated in front of a U.S. flag with an acoustic guitar and his head bowed in contemplation.
He reveals his feelings pretty thoroughly on "Bad Thing to Be Good At" and perhaps more forcefully on "Give My Country Back." That recent single's lyrics include: "If you don’t like my country, you can give my country back/I don’t mind you leaving, hell I’ll even help you pack." It's familiar territory for Lewis, who raised eyebrows with Made in China in 2024.
Many of the 10 songs on Give My Country Back are generally more personally reflective in nature and chronicle life experiences and the passing of time. Some of them are rather lighthearted, such as "List of Things to Quit," in which the singer takes an inventory of his traits and habits and vows to make some changes.
Co-Writers Contribute to Success
Seven other co-writers are listed on that song and another, and Lewis describes the songwriting sessions as being quite memorable. "It was like a gangland-style beatdown with that many amazing songwriters in the room at the same time," he says. "In a situation like that, the song is gonna get written whether it wants to get written or not."
"Let Go Like The Rain," credited to songwriters Kendell Marvel and Chris Wallin, is a meditative highlight that falls toward the end of the song cycle. The album also has some versions of existing songs that Lewis simply liked and wanted to cover.
They include "A Showman's Life" by Jesse Winchester and "Keepin Up with the Jonesin'" by Jamey Johnson. But whether the songs were written specifically for this project or not, Lewis sounds comfortable and very natural delivering them. Expertly produced, the album isn't slick or glossy and has a relaxed feel that lets you really focus on Lewis' textured and nuanced vocals.
Aaron Lewis’ Country Roots Keep Growing
Lewis says his second career as a country artist came about at just the right time and continues to give him a second wind. It happened once Staind had fulfilled all of its contractual obligations with their record company, and he was looking for a musical redirection.
"The only way I could reinvent myself without creating something false was to dive into the soundtrack of my childhood," he says. "Country music was everywhere around me when I was a kid." He notes that many of the songs he wrote for Staind, including huge hits like "It's Been Awhile" and "Outside," got their start on an acoustic guitar.
Juggling Different Styles
These days, Lewis says, there are three facets to what he does musically. Right now, he is touring with his backing band called The Stateliners, performing the country songs from this new album and his earlier ones along with just a couple of Staind favorites. At other times during the year, he performs at more intimate venues doing a solo acoustic show, and that typically includes more of the Staind material in an "unplugged" format. He still rocks out with Staind, too. They have kept touring, and are scheduled to play more dates in September and October.
He jokes that, besides singing a little differently, the only other difference involves footwear. "Instead of wearing black Adidas Campuses, I'm wearing black crocodile cowboy boots. Everything else is the same."
Surely there are other differences, too, and this rotation of styles and routines is something that keeps it interesting for him and his audiences.
"One refreshes the next," Lewis says. "and by the time I come back around in the circle everything is fresh and new. It's kind of a cycle."
At 54 years old, Lewis says Give My Country Back reflects a season of change and renewed focus in his life, both personally and creatively.
“This is the perfect record for where I’m at right now,” Lewis explains. “As you get older, you start realizing your time is coming to a close. I wasn’t living as cleanly as possible, so I quit drinking. I quit smoking cigarettes. I’ve done some kickboxing. I’m on a healthier routine, and I want to get better before I can’t. The realization that life is more than half over will get you to change if you allow it. That’s where I’m at.”
Where to Stream ‘Give My Country Back’
Starting today, Give My Country Back is available on streaming platforms. For details on his upcoming tour dates as well as the new album (which is also available on vinyl), visit www.aaronlewismusic.com.
Give My Country Back Track Listing:
1. The Door
2. Bad Thing To Be Good At
3. Too High For This
4. List Of Things To Quit
5. Give My Country Back
6. People I've Known
7. Let Go Like The Rain
8. A Showman's Life
9. Keeping Up With The Jonesin’
10. Duct Tape And Bailin’ Wire
More About Aaron Lewis
Aaron Lewis grew up in Springfield, Vermont, listening to his grandparents’ country 8-tracks. Those roots inspired the multi-platinum Staind founder to return to his origins for the #1 Billboard Country Album debuts Town Line and Sinner, as well as Billboard’s #1 Hot Country Song debut “Am I The Only One,” only the 9th time since 1958. Having recorded with George Jones, Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels, Alison Krauss and Vince Gill, Lewis has put a traditionalist brand on his outlier country. Lewis’ latest solo album, The Hill, is available now. In 2024, Lewis was awarded Pandora’s Billionaires Plaque, recognizing over one billion streams on the platform.
