Riot

Album: Rewind (2014)
Charted: 102
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This pleading ballad was written by Jaron Boyer and Sara Haze, whose other credits as a songwriting partnership include Lauren Alaina's "New Boyfriend."
  • The first time Rascal Flatts heard the tune, the trio knew they wanted it for their Rewind album. "It came to us after a very long day of having a bunch of song meetings over at Big Machine," Jay DeMarcus recalled during a media event. "We were sitting around with different [song] plugger groups. At the very end of the day, that was one of the last songs to be played. It was just Sara Haze singing with the piano. It just absolutely blew me away."

    "After you have a long day like that, your ears are sort of fatigued to begin with. When I heard that song, and it caused me to stop everything I was doing and zone in on it, I knew that it was at least worthy of a play for these guys to hear it," he continued. "So I took it immediately — I think we were leaving that night, and the next day, I called them over to my bus, and I said, 'You've got to hear this song. I think this is a winner.' And Gary [LeVox] said, 'Can we cut it tomorrow?'"

    "So it was just one of those things, it was a no-brainer," DeMarcus concluded. "I knew with that chorus, it was the kind of chorus Gary could really sink his teeth into."
  • The song finds Gary LeVox pondering what he would do if his lover ever left him. "It's just such a cool way to say that you'd be lost without that person," Joe Don Rooney said. "Saying it completely different, which is the key to a great song — finding something that is so ordinary, but saying it differently."
  • The song's music video features shots of Rascal Flatts singing in a boxing arena, accompanied by the story of a couple struggling in their own relationship. "This song has so many different interpretations that there were a lot of concepts to play around with," LeVox explained. "Ultimately though, this song is about fighting for love, and this video tugs at your heart strings. The story between the couple was shot beautifully; we're really pleased with it and looking forward to our fans seeing the song from this perspective."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"They're Playing My Song

Dean's saga began with "Ariel," a song about falling in love with a Jewish girl from New Jersey.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?