Break Up In A Small Town

Album: Montevallo (2014)
Charted: 29
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Hunt told Billboard magazine the genesis of this cut was when he was "singing that chorus melody late one night while riding around trying to come up with song ideas." After thinking over the "Break Up In a Small Town" concept, Hunt decided that he, "didn't want to write any more break up songs."

    However, a new melody that he'd started humming in the car convinced Hunt to change his mind. "It fit too perfectly not to go with it.," he said."

    The singer-songwriter took this idea to Montevallo co-producers Zach Crowell and Shane McAnally and played it for them on acoustic guitar. McAnally recalled hearing it and feeling, "like God had just dropped a pot of gold in my lap."
  • Hunt's sing-talk verses came together almost by accident: "I started talking out a verse concept, and Zach happened to be recording," he recalled. "He played back the talking in place of the verses."
  • This was one of the last songs Hunt wrote before finishing his Montevallo album. "The title explains everything you would expect about the song. It's just about growing up in a small town and you break up with a guy or a girl, and you think you're not gonna see 'em again," he explained. "You think they're long gone, but then you realize there's just so many streets and so many lights. You hang out with all the same people. They're the first person you see when you leave the house, so it's kind of hard to get away from 'em. That's what this whole song's about."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

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.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.