Rascal Flatts Feat. Natasha Bedingfield, ‘Easy’

Until recently, Rascal Flatts collaborations were fairly rare occurrences. Aside from one guest appearance by Jamie Foxx on their 'Still Feels Good' album, Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney have mostly kept to themselves. In the last year the trio have become more social, first teaming up with Justin Bieber, and now Natasha Bedingfield on the their newest single 'Easy.' The song is another step forward for the band.

The ballad fits right into the Rascal Flatts wheelhouse, which could have been problematic because that wheelhouse had begun to get a little rusty. The first verse is a story of a man pretending he's emotionally over a former love. During the chorus the band sings, "It's easy / Going out on Friday night / Easy / Every time I see you around / I can smile, live it up / The way a single guy does / But what she, what she don't know / Is how hard it is to make it look so easy."

The second verse features British pop singer Bedingfield's response: "The truth is / I miss lyin' in those arms of his / But I don't / Ever let it show / I laugh and I act / Like I'm havin' the time of my life / As far as he knows it's easy."

It's a daring collaboration -- country fans reject pop singers quickly -- but one that adds a can of Red Bull to a drink that's been served dozens of times before. The pacing and energy feel too familiar before Bedingfield's entrance; kudos to Rascal Flatts for stepping out of her way. The only criticism would be the jarring key change halfway through the second verse. It feels much too early, as more often such transitions are used to bring a song to its climax.

Millions of Flatts fans who've recently gone through a breakup will relate to this idea of trying to act cool while maintaining a sideways glance to be sure the ex is looking. Often these nights end up anything but cool, especially if alcohol is involved. There's crying and blabbering on about how "You said we'd be together forever!" and friends have to pull you outside before you really begin to embarrass yourself. 'Easy' is that night, and we've all had one. LeVox sounds a little removed from this sort of night, but Bedingfield sings like she's lived that pain this week. One wonders if with a few tweaks this song could work its way to pop radio as Natasha Bedingfield's 'Easy' featuring Rascal Flatts.

Listen to Rascal Flatts Feat. Natasha Bedingfield, 'Easy'