This Ain't That Song

Album: not on an album (2021)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Breaking up is hard to do, but Payton Smith isn't going to write a sad song about it. If the country singer's ex is expecting a heartbreak ballad that's begging her to stay, "This ain't that song." But Smith is nice about it - he assures her they're both going to move on and they'll both be fine.
  • In a 2021 Songfacts interview, Smith explained how the tune came together: "That song started with a riff. The riff you hear at the top of the song really sets the tone for a hopeful moving on from a heartbreak situation. I've always loved guitar riffs that go along with the melody of the verse. And Casey Beathard had the idea for 'This Ain't That Song,' and I loved the way that it flipped from a heartbreak song to a moving on song."
  • Smith, who was raised in Houma, Louisiana, returned to his home state to shoot the music video with director Doltyn Snedden. The singer told Songfacts of the clip: "I've always wanted to shoot a video in the swamps of Louisiana. There's something about the vibe there that I felt like really connected with 'This Ain't That Song' so we took a team of people down there to shoot it. I got to have my dog in the video so that was pretty cool."
  • The clip was filmed on Lake Verret in south Louisiana, about 20 minutes away from where Smith grew up. The only way to get to the location, a small cabin where Smith and his dog hang out, is by boat.
  • Smith released his debut self-titled EP in 2019, which featured the single "Like I Knew You Would."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."