Riley Green Don't Mind If I Do Deluxe Review
What is the reason you love country music? Is it the twang, the melodies, the variation in styles or even the outfits?
For many, the reason is the stories – and if you like storytelling, then Riley Green is your man.
Ahead of a sold-out run of seven shows across the UK (impressive for a man whose UK live debut was only in 2024 supporting Morgan Wallen at BST), Green is set to release six more tracks onto his album “Don’t Mind If I Do”.
Before we jump into them, I think it would be good to remind you of the best bits from the Alabama born singer’s original release from October 2024 which initially saw mixed reviews.
Just two songs in and Green is getting your feet stomping with one of his few takes on pure contemporary country. “Change my Mind”, a classic love song where he promises that he’s done with a girl, only to request that she does what she always does and “change his mind”, brings some fun to what is overall a quite sombre album.
The stand-out track of the original album is “Jesus Saves”. The song tells the “fictional” story of a man that Green would see every day on the streets of Nashville. Emotion is at the forefront here as the man recounts to Green how he ended up where he is today but the importance here isn’t the story itself, more how every person, no matter their current situation, has a story that deserves to be told.
The song is one of five that the multi-award nominee solely wrote for the album, with the another being the final track, the sexy and passionate “Worst Way”, which became Green’s fifth no.1 on the Billboard Country airplay charts. It’s also hard not to mention the title track when discussing the album, “Don’t Mind If I Do” which features Ella Langley, his iconic duet partner for the ACM 2025 Single of the Year, “You Look Like You Love Me”.
For many, the reason is the stories – and if you like storytelling, then Riley Green is your man.
Ahead of a sold-out run of seven shows across the UK (impressive for a man whose UK live debut was only in 2024 supporting Morgan Wallen at BST), Green is set to release six more tracks onto his album “Don’t Mind If I Do”.
Before we jump into them, I think it would be good to remind you of the best bits from the Alabama born singer’s original release from October 2024 which initially saw mixed reviews.
Just two songs in and Green is getting your feet stomping with one of his few takes on pure contemporary country. “Change my Mind”, a classic love song where he promises that he’s done with a girl, only to request that she does what she always does and “change his mind”, brings some fun to what is overall a quite sombre album.
The stand-out track of the original album is “Jesus Saves”. The song tells the “fictional” story of a man that Green would see every day on the streets of Nashville. Emotion is at the forefront here as the man recounts to Green how he ended up where he is today but the importance here isn’t the story itself, more how every person, no matter their current situation, has a story that deserves to be told.
The song is one of five that the multi-award nominee solely wrote for the album, with the another being the final track, the sexy and passionate “Worst Way”, which became Green’s fifth no.1 on the Billboard Country airplay charts. It’s also hard not to mention the title track when discussing the album, “Don’t Mind If I Do” which features Ella Langley, his iconic duet partner for the ACM 2025 Single of the Year, “You Look Like You Love Me”.
And now you’re back in a Riley Green mood, it’ll be time to listen to the newest six tracks.
It kicks off with “Make it Rain”, a clever and ultimately sad song in which the former athlete talks about how he can’t save his relationship and ultimately feels that no matter what he does, he will ruin it. Acoustic guitar alongside simple and emotional lyrics – a Riley Green classic and if you can only listen to one of the six, make it this one.
“Cowboy As It Gets” is an ode to Green’s dad featuring country music royalty in Randy Houser, whose powerful vocals add that special something to the song. Houser’s voice is nice to hear on the track, offering something a bit different to an album that is largely very similar.
But it’s not just Houser who features, but also Hannah McFarland, featuring on a duet of “I Just Need You”. The song gives fans a glimpse of who will be supporting his shows in the UK and I’d put good money on Green bringing McFarland out for the song if you’re lucky enough to have nabbed a ticket.
It kicks off with “Make it Rain”, a clever and ultimately sad song in which the former athlete talks about how he can’t save his relationship and ultimately feels that no matter what he does, he will ruin it. Acoustic guitar alongside simple and emotional lyrics – a Riley Green classic and if you can only listen to one of the six, make it this one.
“Cowboy As It Gets” is an ode to Green’s dad featuring country music royalty in Randy Houser, whose powerful vocals add that special something to the song. Houser’s voice is nice to hear on the track, offering something a bit different to an album that is largely very similar.
But it’s not just Houser who features, but also Hannah McFarland, featuring on a duet of “I Just Need You”. The song gives fans a glimpse of who will be supporting his shows in the UK and I’d put good money on Green bringing McFarland out for the song if you’re lucky enough to have nabbed a ticket.
A classic trope of country music is having a powerful song that’s slow and meaningful, before the artist slips in a clever one liner that can’t stop you from smiling. If that’s for you, look out for “One for Willie”, a song to make you think about how fulfilled your life is.
“What Am I Supposed to Do Now” sadly falls a bit flat, being a bit too similar to previous tracks. Nevertheless, it could easily have been on the original track list without any complaints.
However, it wouldn’t be a set of Green songs without a fishing reference, this time with another insight into his relationship with his loved ones for “Bet They’re Biting”. Sometimes the references can be a bit too cliché but here the link feels just right and really sets the scene.
Overall, the bonus tracks for Don’t Mind If I Do aren’t ground-breaking, but for fans of the original album, you’ll enjoy more of the same style from Green. But if his job was to get you excited for his forthcoming tour, Green has done exactly that, and I will be counting down the days till I see him in a couple of weeks.
“What Am I Supposed to Do Now” sadly falls a bit flat, being a bit too similar to previous tracks. Nevertheless, it could easily have been on the original track list without any complaints.
However, it wouldn’t be a set of Green songs without a fishing reference, this time with another insight into his relationship with his loved ones for “Bet They’re Biting”. Sometimes the references can be a bit too cliché but here the link feels just right and really sets the scene.
Overall, the bonus tracks for Don’t Mind If I Do aren’t ground-breaking, but for fans of the original album, you’ll enjoy more of the same style from Green. But if his job was to get you excited for his forthcoming tour, Green has done exactly that, and I will be counting down the days till I see him in a couple of weeks.
Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe), via Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment, is out NOW
Green makes a welcome return to the UK and Ireland this September for a completely sold out run of shows which includes 3 nights at London’s Forum and stops in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin.
‘Damn Country Music Tour’ UK Dates:
September 10th, 2025 - London - O2 Forum Kentish Town SOLD OUT
September 11th, 2025 - London - O2 Forum Kentish Town SOLD OUT
September 12th, 2025 - London - O2 Forum Kentish Town SOLD OUT
September 13th, 2025 - Birmingham - O2 Academy Birmingham SOLD OUT
September 15th, 2025 - Manchester - O2 Victoria Warehouse SOLD OUT
September 16th, 2025 - Glasgow - O2 Academy Glasgow SOLD OUT
September 18th, 2025 - Belfast - Waterfront Hall SOLD OUT
September 19th, 2025 - Dublin - Olympia Theatre SOLD OUT
Green makes a welcome return to the UK and Ireland this September for a completely sold out run of shows which includes 3 nights at London’s Forum and stops in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin.
‘Damn Country Music Tour’ UK Dates:
September 10th, 2025 - London - O2 Forum Kentish Town SOLD OUT
September 11th, 2025 - London - O2 Forum Kentish Town SOLD OUT
September 12th, 2025 - London - O2 Forum Kentish Town SOLD OUT
September 13th, 2025 - Birmingham - O2 Academy Birmingham SOLD OUT
September 15th, 2025 - Manchester - O2 Victoria Warehouse SOLD OUT
September 16th, 2025 - Glasgow - O2 Academy Glasgow SOLD OUT
September 18th, 2025 - Belfast - Waterfront Hall SOLD OUT
September 19th, 2025 - Dublin - Olympia Theatre SOLD OUT
