Luke Tyler Shelton captures the thrill of falling (back) in love on his fifth single “Hell of a Ride,” a groovy, feel-good song brimming with heart, charm, and irresistible, smile-inducing swagger.
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“Hell of a Ride” – Luke Tyler Shelton
Love doesn’t always follow a straight line – but that’s part of what makes it so exhilarating.
There are bumps in the road, unexpected detours, and moments where you’re holding your breath just waiting to see what’s around the next bend. But when you’re in it with the right person, every swerve becomes part of the thrill, every turn a chance to fall deeper.
Singer/songwriter Luke Tyler Shelton captures that rush with unshakable charm on “Hell of a Ride,” a sun-drenched, feel-good anthem that finds joy in the twists and turns of romantic connection. Loose and lush with a driving backbeat, Shelton’s fifth single release is a celebration of love’s highs, lows, and everything in between: That “hell of a ride” we sign up for when we dive heart-first into someone else’s world. With its infectious chorus and soulful swagger, the song doesn’t just move your heart – it dares your feet not to follow.
I tend to slip back baby
when you ride on my line
Flip me over and I’ll be there in time
You’re a hard loving woman,
you’re one of a kind
Just flip me over and I’ll be there in time
And it’s a hell of a ride
Hell of a ride with my love
Shelton’s first single of 2025, “Hell of a Ride” follows a breakout 2024 that saw the 25-year-old San Fernando Valley native introducing himself to the world through four special singles – “Anna,” “Feeling Always Down,” “Love on My Mind,” and “Where the West Begins” – each of which captures his old soul and youthful vigor.
“To be quite honest, I’m not entirely sure who my listeners may think I am as of right now!” he admits with a laugh. “I do hope that my music connects with people and continues to as I discover more about who I am and who I want to be as an artist. There’s a lot of people that I’m inspired by and look up to, like Neil Young, George Harrison, Faces, Ronnie Lane, Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac, Carole King, and so on. I just want to make good music and provide people songs that inspire them and that they can relate to.”
Atwood Magazine previously praised Shelton’s third single, “Love on My Mind,” as a radiant, harmony-soaked ode to intimacy and connection: “His words are simple and straightforward enough, but his voice, his songwriting style, and his sound are pure magic,” we wrote in a review published in February 2025. “Shelton holds nothing back in creating a tapestry for all as he basks in love’s welcoming beauty and wonder.”
Drawing on the same Laurel Canyon warmth that made “Love on My Mind” feel like a gentle breeze through a sunlit room, Shelton continues to hone his timeless sound on “Hell of a Ride,” blending heartfelt storytelling with bright, full-bodied grooves. Released February 27th via Concord Records, “Hell of a Ride” is yet another golden-hued groove that echoes the heat and heart of the ‘70s.
“This is the first single coming out from my recent sessions at Sunset Sound Studios,” Shelton tells Atwood Magazine. “It’s loose, it’s fun, and it has a great back beat for dancing – which I think is what mainly sets it apart from my first four singles. It’s a sweet love song, granted with a bit of innuendo (but that all can enjoy).”
I tell you babe I just can’t get you out of head
When I think over on all the things that we’ve said
You were my baby before and now you’re all mine
I can’t relieve ya
You know I’d lose my mind
And it’s a hell of a ride
Hell of a ride with my love
While its energy is infectious, this track also hits close to home. More than just a playful romp through desire and devotion, “Hell of a Ride” is rooted in personal experience, written in the wake of rekindled romance and all the emotions that come with it.
“I wrote ‘Hell of a Ride’ about my girlfriend after we’d officially gotten back together,” Shelton explains. “It’s about the ride of being in love with someone. There’s ups, downs, unexpected twists and turns, but it can be a thrill to go through with someone you love by your side. That’s what the song is about really. It’s also a song of passion and yearning.”
There’s a magnetic spark running through “Hell of a Ride” – a wink and a grin embedded in every lyric, every groove. Shelton’s storytelling is full of heat and heart as he recounts the thrill of a rekindled romance, all passion, persistence, and late-night declarations. Lines like “I tell you babe I just can’t get you out of head” and “Flip me over and I’ll be there in time” straddle the line between sincerity and cheeky innuendo, bringing levity and lust to what is ultimately a love song about devotion, desire, and not giving up on something real. It’s the kind of songwriting that feels both intimate and wildly fun – just earnest enough to mean something, but never too serious to dance to.
She come a knocking
when I’m down on the floor
Tells me, “Babe I can’t take it
what you waiting there for?”
I get excited
You know I can’t deny it
Gonna love you baby
Gonna love you all through the night!
That energy radiates from every corner of the song, brought to life through rollicking guitar licks, buoyant drums, and Shelton’s own radiant, full-bodied vocal performance. There’s a strut in the rhythm section, a gleam in his voice; the track grooves and grins with the confidence of someone who’s come out the other side of heartbreak, ready to love harder and hold on tighter. Recorded live with his full band, “Hell of a Ride” boasts an undeniable chemistry – each part moving in tandem to create a warm, feel-good atmosphere that’s both nostalgic and refreshing. Whether you’re falling in love, falling back in, or just along for the ride, this one’s bound to put a smile on your face.
“I hope this song makes people feel joyful and makes them want to dance,” Shelton grins. “This is the first song that I’ve had my whole band playing on, and it provides a better feel for what we sound like live in comparison to my first few singles.”
I tend to slip back baby when you ride on my line
Flip me over and I’ll be there in time
Know you’re a hard loving woman
You’re one of a kind
Flip me over and I’ll be there in time
And it’s a hell of a ride
Hell of a ride with my love
With “Hell of a Ride,” Luke Tyler Shelton reminds us that love, in all its chaotic beauty, is worth every high and low.
It’s a song that wears its heart on its sleeve and its joy in every groove — the kind of track that makes you want to roll the windows down, sing at the top of your lungs, and maybe call someone you’ve been missing. Equal parts personal and universally resonant, it’s a snapshot of a young artist coming into his own, embracing vulnerability while radiating confidence.
Shelton may still be figuring out exactly who he is as an artist, but if this latest single is any indication, he’s well on his way. “Hell of a Ride” is not just a step forward in sound and spirit — it’s a burst of life, love, and everything that makes music memorable. Wherever the road leads next, we’ll be riding shotgun.
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“Hell of a Ride” – Luke Tyler Shelton
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