Blake Shelton’s New Song “Let Him in Anyway” Is So Emotional, It Literally Broke Hearts—One Listener Landed in the Hospital

Blake Shelton’s upcoming track “Let Him in Anyway” from his new album For Recreational Use Only hasn’t even officially dropped yet, but it’s already leaving a deep emotional mark—so deep, in fact, it led to a real-life health scare.

Penned by songwriting heavyweights Hardy, Zach Abend, Kyle Clark, and Carson Wallace, the ballad digs into the raw themes of grief, forgiveness, and the hope that even flawed souls find peace in the afterlife. It’s one of those songs that sneaks up on you—and then absolutely wrecks you in the best (and apparently most intense) way.

Shelton himself admitted the song hit him hard. His wife, Gwen Stefani, was so emotionally shaken by it that she cried through several listens before an event—forcing Blake to gently tell her, “You’ve got to get it together.” But what happened next truly underscored the song’s impact.

Chris Oglesby, Sr. VP of Creative at BMG, had recently delivered a eulogy for his brother-in-law when he first heard “Let Him in Anyway.” The song’s message struck such a deep chord with him that shortly afterward, he began feeling physically unwell. He drove himself to Vanderbilt University Medical Center—only to discover he was having a heart attack. Doctors placed four stents in his arteries, and thankfully, Oglesby is now recovering and in good health.

While the timing may have been coincidental, Oglesby openly shared that the emotional intensity of the song may have been the tipping point. The moment became the stuff of music industry legend when BBR Music Group president Jon Loba joked with Shelton, saying, “We almost got charged with murder over this song.”

Though the comment was made in jest, it highlights just how potent this track truly is. “Let Him in Anyway” isn’t just another heartbreak song—it’s a soul-piercing experience that brings buried emotions to the surface, forcing listeners to confront grief, redemption, and love all at once.

Blake Shelton has long been known for blending humor and heart in his music, but with this track, he’s reaching new emotional heights. And if the early reactions are any indication, “Let Him in Anyway” might just be one of the most powerful—and talked-about—songs of his career.

Just maybe… keep some tissues nearby.