Never Be Sorry

Album: Old Dominion (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Sometimes a breakup can happen at the right time, leaving you sad but grateful for the experience. Written by Old Dominion's Matthew Ramsey, Brad Tursi and Trevor Rosen with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, "Never Be Sorry" is a happy spin on love gone wrong.

    Sometimes two people end up victims of love
    It don't work out like you planned it
    Just 'cause we couldn't get the stars to line up
    Don't mean we leave empty-handed


    "Ending a relationship can be hard and frustrating, but this song reminds you not to forget you loved that person - and you shouldn't be apologetic for that," Old Dominion explained on Twitter. "Forever slips away sometimes, but never be sorry for falling in love."
  • Lead singer Matthew Ramsey explained that the upbeat, bouncy song is about being truly grateful for the time spent together. Even though there's heartache at the end, that doesn't mean the relationship wasn't worth it.

    "'Never Be Sorry' is about that unfortunate realization when sometimes you're in a relationship that just wasn't what you thought it was and also wasn't what it used to be," he said.

    "It can be hard, sad, and frustrating, but [it's] also important to remember that you loved that person and shouldn't be apologetic for loving them," Ramsey added. "Maybe it didn't work out, but like the song says, you cannot be sorry for falling in love with that person. Remembering those details, and the good parts that made the relationship unique and special, is what keeps it alive in some way, forever in your heart."
  • Ramsey, Tursi, Rosen, McAnally and Osborne wrote the song in the green room at the BankPlus Amphitheater in Southaven, Mississippi on July 19, 2018. The Old Dominion trio had arranged to meet up with the other two writers for a weekend songwriting trek while supporting Kenny Chesney on his Trip Around the Sun Tour.
  • The song juxtaposes a happy melody with a sad lyric. "It's like they can't all be super slow sad songs," Trevor Rosen told Radio.Com's Katie Neal. "You gotta wrap it up and disguise it as a happy dance song."
  • When writing the song, Old Dominion drew on personal experiences, though Trevor Rosen admits some of the geographical references are somewhat confusing.

    And I'll never be sorry for the shoes that I bought you
    In Chicago, we were walking down the Miracle Mile


    "I can't remember which one of us it was had bought our girl shoes in Chicago," Rosen explained to ABC Audio, "and then we had flown to LA the next day. And we were walking down the Miracle Mile with 'em. And so that becomes a confusing lyric, because it sounds like we think the Miracle Mile is in Chicago."

Comments: 1

  • Levity from Kyle Texas Usafor melvin jr. 1997
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.

David Paich of Toto

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.