If He Ain't Gonna Love You

Album: American Love (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Before Chris Stapleton found fame with his Traveller album, Jake Owen used to call the singer-songwriter's publisher for his demos just so he could hear him sing. One day, Owen came across this Stapleton-penned soulful plea to a woman to ditch her loser man. Not only did he record the song, he enlisted Stapleton to sing back-up. "He didn't have a [solo] album out then, and I would listen to his songs all the time," Owen told Rolling Stone Country. "For "If He Ain't Gonna Love You," he sang on the demo, too - and it's so good, it's hard to beat that. But he made me sound better."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Chris Frantz of Talking Heads

Chris Frantz of Talking HeadsSongwriter Interviews

Talking Heads drummer Chris Frantz on where the term "new wave" originated, the story of "Naive Melody," and why they never recorded another cover song after "Take Me To The River."

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.