Thomas Rhett and Blake Shelton’s “Old Tricks” Gets a New Life — This Time with Niall Horan
A Hit Revived from the Deluxe Edition
Country superstar Thomas Rhett first teamed up with Blake Shelton for the duet “Old Tricks”, one of the standout tracks from the deluxe edition of his album About a Woman, released in September 2025.
The song was part of nine brand-new additions to the deluxe release, giving fans more of Rhett’s signature mix of fun, charm, and heart. The duet with Shelton quickly became a fan favorite, not just for its sound — but for the humor that came with it.
The Blake Shelton ‘Lookalikes’ Go Viral
While promoting the original version, Rhett poked fun at Shelton’s busy schedule. Since Blake wasn’t available to film content for the song, Rhett filled the gap by recruiting four Blake Shelton lookalikes for the lyric video — a lighthearted move that made fans laugh and helped the track go viral.
The playful banter between the two stars became a running joke, especially among longtime country fans who love both artists’ laid-back humor.
A Surprise Twist: Niall Horan Steps In
A few months later, Rhett surprised fans again — announcing he’d be releasing “Old Tricks” a second time, but this time as a duet with Niall Horan.
In a video shared to social media, Rhett appears to text Shelton:
“Hey man, I know you weren’t available to shoot content for Old Tricks. But I found a really good stand-in for you. He wasn’t at the lookalike contest, but he’s been a friend for a long time and is a pretty good singer. I think you might actually know him.”
Shelton’s reply? Classic Blake:
“NIALL?! Let me get this straight — first you steal my last chance at a win on The Voice and now you’re stealing my song? Unbelievable.”
To which Horan, ever the jokester, fired back with a GIF from their time on The Voice and the line, “Talk to ya later, Dad!” — referencing their running father-son joke from the show.
From The Voice to the Studio
Fans of The Voice will remember the playful bond between Shelton and Horan during their shared season — a dynamic that makes this crossover even more fun.
Though Horan is best known for his pop career and Irish roots, his smooth tone and emotional delivery fit surprisingly well in a country setting. With his recent collaborations with several country contestants on The Voice Season 28, he’s proven that he’s more than capable of stepping into Nashville’s sound.
The Song That Keeps Evolving
The original version of “Old Tricks” — written by Rhett alongside Andrew Haas, Ian Franzino, Jim Beavers, John Ryan, and Julian Bunetta — explores the humor and truth of realizing that getting older means you can’t quite do what you used to.
In the new version, Horan replaces Shelton’s vocals but keeps the spirit alive, even switching up a few lyrics to make them his own. One clever change: the line “Huntin’ with the boys is a business trip” becomes “Golfin’ with the boys is a business trip.”
A Friendship Turned Collaboration
“I’ve known Thomas Rhett for years,” Horan shared. “Every time we’re in the same city, we catch up like no time’s passed. When I heard Old Tricks, I was hooked. I told him straight up I was gutted he didn’t ask me to jump on it — and next thing I knew, I was in the studio laying down vocals. It just felt natural.”
Rhett echoed that sentiment:
“We’ve been talking about doing something together for years. When he told me how much he loved the song, I knew we had to make it happen. He brought such a cool new energy to it.”
Two Versions, One Timeless Message
Whether it’s Blake Shelton’s Southern grit or Niall Horan’s smooth charm, “Old Tricks” remains a catchy, feel-good anthem about growing up — and laughing at yourself along the way.
And as fans debate which version they prefer, one thing’s certain: Thomas Rhett has managed to bridge generations and genres — all with one song that just keeps getting better.
🎧 Listen to both versions of “Old Tricks” now on all streaming platforms.