Hear AJ McLean’s Heartfelt Cover of Chris Stapleton’s ‘Drunkard’s Prayer’
Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean has gone country lately, and he shows off his rootsier side with a raw new cover of Chris Stapleton's powerful ballad, "Drunkard's Prayer."
In the video above, McLean performs the simple, stark ballad seated on a stool, accompanied by an acoustic guitar in much the same way Stapleton recorded the song for From A Room: Volume 2 in 2017. The stripped-down setting keeps the focus on the anguished lyrics, which paint a portrait of alcohol and despair.
"I wish that I could go to church but I'm too ashamed of me / I hate the fact it takes a bottle to get me on my knees / And I hope he'll forgive the things you ain't forgot / When I get drunk, and talk to God," McLean sings passionately, demonstrating power and range as he delivers the scorching higher notes in the bridge. He also adds a harmonica solo to the song.
"Been performing this one lately and wanted to share with all of you guys," McLean writes on YouTube to accompany his performance. "Such an incredible song from Chris Stapleton."
The 40-year-old singer got inspired by country music when Florida Georgia Line partnered with the Backstreet Boys for "God, Your Mama and Me" in 2017. The song was a No. 1 hit, and McLean has been working on a solo album that he says will have a "soulful kind of Chris Stapleton/Sam Hunt vibe."
"I want to come in and I want to disrupt country," McLean tells Entertainment Tonight. "I want to shift. I want to shake things up just like FGL did. So, you guys are in for a treat."
McLean released the first single from his upcoming country project, "Back Porch Bottle Service," in June.
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