Old Dominion’s “Barbara”: A Deeper Dive into the Human Heart
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Old Dominion has been on an incredible journey since their fan-favorite mixtape Odies But Goodies. They’ve headlined major festivals, shattered records at the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music with an astounding seven and eight consecutive Vocal Group wins, and even opened a bar named Odies, a nod to their dedicated fans and the vibrant songwriting community. Amidst all this success and expansion, the band’s core focus has remained on the music itself.
The culmination of this renewed focus is Barbara, a masterful 13-song collection that delves into what it truly means to embrace positivity, seek out the light, and confidently occupy your space in the world, all while acknowledging reality head-on. Old Dominion has always excelled at crafting unforgettable earworms, and Barbara delivers some of their most indelible hooks to date. However, this album sees the band venturing into more profound territory, exploring themes of mortality, humanity, and the sheer joy of being alive with a newfound maturity. From the very first notes of “Making Good Time,” with its captivating phased pre-chorus and dynamic, tumbling drums, the album embarks on a journey that sweeps listeners from youthful passion to navigating life’s complexities. It beautifully captures the purity of coming of age and how those formative experiences shape us. Produced by Shane McAnally and Old Dominion themselves, the album meticulously unravels the ebbs and flows of life and love. This exploration is evident in the euphoric feeling a free-spirited woman can inspire in “Break Your Mama’s Heart,” the rhythmic philosophical musings on life’s meaning in “Water My Flowers,” and the poignant elegy for a dear friend in “Miss You Man.”
Lead singer Matthew Ramsey reflects on the band’s evolution, stating, “The thing about this crazy career, so many incredible things have happened, but so much life has also happened. We’ve had people pass away, chapters close, people falling in love, obviously health challenges, if you read People. And when we write for others, we just write to write the best song about whatever moment or feeling we’re chasing right then, and yeah that’s fun. But when we write for Old Dominion, especially this time, we’re bringing more of ourselves into the room. These are our songs, so they should be pulled from our lives. You don’t realize as you’re writing necessarily, but when we listened to these 13 songs, we all realized: it’s our most personal record ever.”
This deeply reflective tone permeates tracks like “Me Most Nights,” “What Doesn’t Kill A Memory,” and “Sip in the Right Direction,” which ultimately lead to the healing comfort found in “Crying in the Beach Bar” and “Late Great Heartbreak.” The album also features the introspective “Man or the Song,” a powerful anthem for anyone standing at a crossroads, questioning their purpose, or simply grappling with what truly matters. The album closes with “Goodnight Music City,” a heartfelt tribute to the spirit of a creative community that, in some ways, has transformed. Together, these tracks demonstrate a profound understanding that inspires even brighter futures.
Ramsey emphasizes that the album isn’t meant to be overly somber. “We didn’t want to get all heavy,” he explains. “But I think the feeling good means more when you’re looking life straight in the eye. So much is illusion or what we tell ourselves it is, sometimes if you look in your heart though, reality is even richer. And I think that’s as much the point as anything.”
As their major How Good Is That 2025 – World Tour prepares to kick off, Ramsey, guitarist/vocalist Brad Tursi, keyboardist/vocalist Trevor Rosen, and the formidable rhythm section of bassist/vocalist Geoff Sprung and drummer Whit Sellers, are clearly excited. They are currently in the final stages of approving mixes and masters for their sixth album, with all roads leading to an August release.
Old Dominion has a proven track record of writing hits for other country music luminaries such as Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Sam Hunt, Dierks Bentley, Blake Shelton, and Kelsea Ballerini. Their signature sound is characterized by melodically driven arrangements, rich harmonies, and a vibrant interplay of multiple guitars. Blending elements of country, rock, and pop, Old Dominion effortlessly occupies a sweet spot that transcends traditional genre labels. With Barbara, they not only elevate their distinctive sound to new heights but also infuse it with a looser, more organic feel, expanding the very definition of what country music can be.
Barbara Songlisting:
- “Making Good Time”
- “Water My Flowers”
- “Me Most Nights”
- “Man or the Song”
- “Break Your Mama’s Heart”
- “Miss You Man”
- “Talk Country”
- “Late Great Heartbreak”
- “Crying in a Beach Bar”
- “One of Us”
- “What Doesn’t Kill A Memory”
- “Sip In the Right Direction”
- “Goodnight Music City”
About Old Dominion:
Old Dominion’s sky-scraping anthems and electrifying live shows have firmly established the multi-platinum-selling band at the forefront of country music. Their ability to fuse clever lyrics with an infectious sound, alongside their lyrical wit and hook-heavy songwriting, has undeniably proven to be a winning formula for Nashville’s hottest band. It’s no surprise that Rolling Stone has lauded Old Dominion as “one of mainstream country music’s most popular live groups.” Since their emergence on the music scene, the band has achieved an impressive nine No. 1 singles at country radio, amassed over five billion on-demand streams, earned a dozen RIAA Platinum and Gold single certifications, and successfully headlined arenas and amphitheaters across the globe. In September, the band released their greatest hits compilation, Odies but Goodies. This expansive 31-track collection beautifully chronicles the band’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a significant headliner, all while paying homage to the songs their dedicated fans cherish most. Old Dominion currently holds the distinction of being the reigning 8X Academy of Country Music and 7X Country Music Association “Group of the Year.” Their seventh consecutive win for “Vocal Group of the Year” at the 2024 CMA Awards set a new record for most consecutive Vocal Group Award wins in CMA history. To commemorate this historic achievement, the band performed a seven-show residency at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium this past February, raising over $1.25M for seven charities they have actively supported throughout their career. Most recently, Old Dominion secured their historic 8th consecutive “Group of the Year” win at the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards, breaking both the all-time and most consecutive win records in the category.