Paying Respects to the Past: Old Dominion Finds a Retro Groove in “Late Great Heartbreak”
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Old Dominion has long established itself as the reigning group in mainstream country music, a title affirmed by their multiple wins as ACM and CMA Group of the Year. The quintet—comprised of vocalist Matthew Ramsey, guitarists Trevor Rosen and Brad Tursi, bassist Geoff Sprung, and drummer Whit Sellers—built their empire on hook-heavy, clever songwriting that bridges traditional country storytelling with pop, rock, and arena anthem sensibilities. They possess a rare ability to craft hits that feel both deeply familiar and refreshingly unique, and their recent work, particularly the material from their album Barbara, demonstrates a band embracing their collective confidence to venture into entirely new sonic territory.
The single, “Late Great Heartbreak,” is a perfect testament to this newfound freedom. Despite its title, which suggests a weepy, lighters-up ballad of classic country misery, the song is anything but. Instead, it’s a playful, sophisticated, and deeply rhythmic send-off to an expired relationship, framed not by loss, but by liberation.
The Sound: ’80s Soul Filtered Through Nashville Wryness
The musical arrangement is what immediately sets “Late Great Heartbreak” apart from Old Dominion’s typical soundscape. It doesn’t lean on the customary driving guitar riff or rock-solid rhythm that defines many of their biggest hits. Instead, the track is built upon a buoyant, soul-inflected piano riff and a strutting, ’80s-era rhythm section that recalls the golden age of feel-good radio rock. The band has explicitly cited Huey Lewis and Billy Joel as influences on the track, and that inspiration is evident in the song’s groove and infectious energy.
Ramsey’s vocal delivery is key here. It’s laid-back and wry, conveying a sense of final, ironic acceptance rather than genuine pain. The polished production allows the interplay between the instruments to shine—the bass is surprisingly funky, the drums are tight, and the keyboards provide that crucial, nostalgic, almost AOR (Album-Oriented Rock) texture. It’s a remarkable stylistic detour that proves Old Dominion isn’t just a country band; they are an accomplished unit capable of capturing the essence of any genre they choose to explore.
The Lyrics: Wry Acceptance and the Celebration of Moving On
Lyrically, “Late Great Heartbreak” is a masterclass in clever framing. The song treats the breakup as a now-deceased entity—a historical figure or event worthy of a polite, albeit celebratory, wake. The verses catalogue the small, everyday signs that life has returned to normal:
“I got flowers on the table and sunshine on the bed / I can have a couple drinks and stay out of my head / I can hear a sad song and not even sing along”
These lines aren’t about finding new love; they are about finding peace with oneself. The true brilliance lies in the chorus, which personifies the heartbreak and then grants it formal closure:
“So R.I.P. to you and me, I’m finally moving on / From the late great heartbreak / I’m crossing off my ex and paying my respects.”
The idea of “paying respects” to a negative experience—a respectful nod to the misery endured before gleefully moving past it—is quintessentially Old Dominion. They take a common emotion (the relief that follows acceptance) and give it a fresh, witty twist. Furthermore, Ramsey touches on the existential void that follows the recovery: “What will I do with myself / If I’m not going through hell,” a relatable moment of self-reflection when the drama that defined your life suddenly vanishes.
Final Verdict
“Late Great Heartbreak” is a standout track in Old Dominion’s discography and a highlight on their album Barbara. It’s sophisticated both musically and thematically, using a vibrant, retro-soul framework to deliver a message of pure relief. It serves as a confident reminder that Old Dominion operates outside the confines of rigid genre rules, using their exceptional collective talent to simply make great music that feels good. This is the sound of a band at the top of its game, having fun, and successfully betting on their own instincts.