Ain't Nothing 'Bout You

Album: Steers & Stripes (2001)
Charted: 25
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In this country chart-topper by Tom Shapiro and Rivers Rutherford, Brooks & Dunn celebrate all the qualities of a special woman, including the way "you kiss, the way you cry, the way you move when you walk by." Not only did the track spend six weeks at #1 on the country chart, but it was also the top country song of 2001.
  • Neither Shapiro nor Rutherford were much interested in working on the song, in what would be their first writing session together. Luckily, the two ended up getting along as collaborators and as friends. Shapiro brought in an idea he came up with in the shower and Rutherford added a melody. Shapiro told The Tennessean: "Sometimes I do mental exercises. This was a way of saying, 'How do you say, 'I love everything about you?' ' That's all it was. I was actually in the shower (sings), and it came out. I just filed it away. I walk into the write, Rivers is there and plays this little melody that he had. I just loved the melody. I said, 'I have this idea I thought of this morning.' He was surprised. 'You thought of it this morning?' I said, 'Yeah, I come up with an idea once in a while.'"
  • Ronnie Dunn recorded his vocal in one five-minute take at the tail-end of a four-hour recording session for "Only in America."
  • The songwriters also collaborated on Montgomery Gentry's "If You Ever Stop Loving Me" in 2004.
  • Alana de la Garza, who would later star as ADA Connie Rubirosa on Law & Order, starred in the Trey Fanjoy-directed music video.
  • Brooks & Dunn recorded a new version of the song featuring Brett Young for their 2019 Reboot album. The record features the duo performing some of their biggest hits with a selection of contemporary country stars. The new version transforms "Ain't Nothing 'Bout You" from a sultry, medium-tempo tune into a slow jam.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.