Shelton’s cover of “God Gave Me You” became one of his biggest hits ... The track appeared on the album Red River Blues. That record reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 for a single week.

He was surprised that 'God Gave Me You' was his first hit, however (aside from an album cut by Billy Currington). He describes the lyrics as quirky and complicated, especially the lyric that goes ...

Martyrdom is an important concept in many faiths, so the lyric fits with the quasi-religious feel of “God Gave Me You.” Barnes wasn’t expecting Blake Shelton to cover his song.