“Turn Him Down”: Tim McGraw’s Hilarious Plea to Mute Keith Urban’s Guitar Solo
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
When two country powerhouses like Tim McGraw and Keith Urban join forces, sparks are bound to fly — and in this case, one of those sparks came in the form of a guitar solo so electrifying that even McGraw himself jokingly admitted it stole his spotlight.
During a recent episode of McGraw’s Apple Music Country show Beyond the Influence, the country legend shared a funny behind-the-scenes confession about the making of his 2013 hit “Highway Don’t Care.” The track, a collaboration featuring Taylor Swift on backing vocals and Keith Urban on lead guitar, remains one of the defining crossover hits of the past decade. But according to McGraw, there was just one “problem”: Urban’s solo was almost too good.
🎸 The Song That Started It All
Released in 2013, “Highway Don’t Care” became a chart-topping hit for McGraw, blending his soulful vocals with Swift’s wistful harmonies and Urban’s soaring guitar work. The song’s emotional core — a story about love, distance, and heartbreak — is punctuated by Urban’s signature electric solo, which elevated the track from country radio gold to an arena-ready anthem.
But in McGraw’s humorous retelling, that same solo presented an unexpected challenge. “Your guitar solo was so strong, man,” McGraw told Urban during the interview. “I remember thinking, ‘Turn him down!’ I can’t follow that!”
😂 A Lighthearted Confession
The comment wasn’t a real studio request, of course. McGraw wasn’t asking anyone to actually mute Urban’s part — it was a good-natured expression of awe. Urban’s performance, though only about 30 seconds long, was so commanding that McGraw joked it left him scrambling to match the intensity when his vocals returned.
He later described Urban’s solo as “the best guitar lead ride ever” in a country song, adding with a grin that its sheer energy could “blow the hat off your head.”
Urban, ever the humble virtuoso, laughed off the praise, crediting the chemistry between all three artists for making the song special. “It was one of those perfect studio moments,” he said, recalling how the collaboration came together seamlessly.
🎶 Mutual Admiration Between Country Titans
The exchange highlighted not just McGraw’s self-deprecating humor, but also the deep respect between the two stars. Both men are known for pushing country music into new sonic territory — McGraw through his polished, emotional storytelling, and Urban through his signature blend of rock-infused guitar work and heartfelt lyricism.
Their friendship and professional camaraderie have often crossed paths, from sharing festival stages to co-hosting charity events. But few moments capture their dynamic as perfectly as McGraw’s playful complaint that Urban’s brilliance made it hard to keep up.
🌟 The Legacy of “Highway Don’t Care”
More than a decade later, “Highway Don’t Care” remains a fan favorite — a perfect storm of emotion, melody, and musicianship. Urban’s solo still stands as one of the most memorable instrumental breaks in modern country music, while McGraw’s storytelling anchors the song with timeless sincerity.
In the end, McGraw’s joking plea to “turn him down” wasn’t about competition — it was a celebration. It was the ultimate compliment from one superstar to another, a reminder that when great artists collide, the result can be so powerful, even they can’t believe what they’ve created.
