Black Tears

Album: Night Train (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Despite the song's references to drugs and strippers, Aldean told Billboard magazine that listeners shouldn't pass judgment on its risqué content. "I hope people actually listen to the song, listen to the lyrics, listen to what the song's saying," he said. "If they think, 'that song's about a stripper, I can't listen to this,' they're going to completely miss the idea of what the song's about. Honestly, I think it's one of the most well-written songs on the record. Like 'Dirt Road Anthem' and songs like that, it allows us to branch off in a different direction and try something new."
  • Nashville singer-songwriter Cannan Smith and Tyler Hubbard of Florida-Georgia Line penned the song, which was originally included on FGL's independently produced EP, 2010's Anything Like Me. According to Hubbard, Aldean found the song online himself, and he called his producer Michael Knox the same night wanting to cut it.

    When we spoke with Hubbard at the 2013 ACM Awards, he explained: "That was just one of those songs where you try to put yourself in somebody else's shoes and write from their perspective. It worked out nicely for us. That's been a song that we loved for a log time, and it's really cool that Aldean cut it and it did well for him so it's an honor, man."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

80s Video Director Jay Dubin

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

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.

Little Big Town

Little Big TownSongwriter Interviews

"When seeds that you sow grow by the wicked moon/Be sure your sins will find you out/Your past will hunt you down and turn to tell on you."

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."