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

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Chris Rea

Chris ReaSongwriter Interviews

It took him seven years to recover from his American hit "Fool (If You Think It's Over)," but Chris Rea became one of the top singer-songwriters in his native UK.

The Evolution of "Ophelia"

The Evolution of "Ophelia"Song Writing

How five songs portray Shakespeare's character Ophelia.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.