Cole Swindell's new single "Break Up in the End" has been climbing up the country radio charts, and for good reason. The track examines the bittersweet beauty of a relationship, even if it doesn't have a happy ending.
Videos by Wide Open Country
"Break Up in the End" will be featured on Swindell's upcoming third album, and the single has already earned rave reviews from fans. We chatted with the Georgia native about his heartbreaking tune and what fans can expect from his next record.
WOC: What was your reaction the first time you heard your single, "Break Up In The End"?
It's just one of those songs that I knew I had to record. I've certainly lived the lyrics of that song, and even though I didn't write it I felt like I did. I'm just thankful that [writers] Jessie Jo Dillon, Chase McGill and Jon Nite let me record it and trusted me with that song—I know how special it is to them. It's one of my favorite things I've ever recorded.
CS: What made you want to put the song out as your first single from the new record?
This record's a big deal to me, my third one. The song was special and I wanted people to know that this is my first single from the third album and there's going to be more songs that are this quality on there. Thank God I've had the chance to put out fun stuff because my live show certainly needs those songs, but my live show also needs big moments like this song. The reaction I'm getting is amazing and I'm thankful that it's my first single.
Have you personally experienced a situation like the one described in "Break Up in The End"?
Absolutely. This kind of break up is a little different than the break up in "Ain't Worth the Whiskey." I think this is a more mature break up, where you care for each other and it's just not going to work out. No hard feelings, but you tried to make it work and even though it doesn't you wouldn't change anything. You would still do it again. I think our past relationships got us to where we are today so you can't really regret them.
How have your fans reacted to the song?
It's cool to hear the fans singing along more and more every week we play the song. You can tell a song's getting bigger by the crowd's reaction and it's crazy to hear everybody in the crowd, from little kids to adults singing that song.
Is the song a good representation of what fans can expect from your next album?
Yeah, I think so. This album is still going to have fun stuff and up-tempo songs, but it's going to have some deeper songs that make you think and hit you right in the heart. That just shows you that I'm trying to grow as an artist and record the best songs I can whether I write them or not. That's one of the perks of living in Nashville with all those great songwriters, I want to record the best songs I can and I think that's what we've done on this third album.
What was the inspiration for the music video?
The first time I read the director Jay Martin's video treatment I just loved the fact that it was played backwards all the way. It started with the break up, since you already know what happens — you break up. And it went back all the way through the relationship to the day we met. That idea stood out to me. Originally the plan was for me to sing the song backwards and the way the video was played it would've looked like I was singing it the right way, but thank God I didn't have to do that. I did have to walk backwards and sing it really fast a couple times, so that was weird singing a sad song like this and making it seem emotional when you're pacing backwards and singing twice the speed.
You can catch Cole Swindell out on the road through the summer. Fans can find a full list of the country music star's upcoming tour dates here.
