The song's production is characterized by a "sweeping groove" and a "decidedly grown-up" feel.
: Chesney had the title idea "Tip of My Tongue" for a long time but didn't know how to execute it until he collaborated with Sheeran and Copperman. Kenny Chesney - Tip Of My Tongue (Audio)
: Some praised the track for its "effortless" delivery and warm storytelling. Country Universe hailed it as one of his finest recent singles, noting that Chesney's vocals sounded better than they had in years without excessive studio processing. The song's production is characterized by a "sweeping
Public and critical opinion on the song was notably divided: Country Universe hailed it as one of his
: Chesney described the writing session as one of the most fun of his career, noting that he and Sheeran shared many life similarities despite never having written together before. The track took only a few hours to complete once they settled on the core concept. Musical Style and Production
: While the phrase typically refers to a forgotten word, the songwriters used it literally to describe the physical and emotional sensation of a connection between lovers, specifically the "salt and sugar" of a partner.