Small towns can bring big, significant memories. Those memories are often put into preservation, and so American country-rock singer Brantley Gilbert and Canadian country singer Lindsay Ell collaborated for the single “What Happens in a Small Town.” This was the lead single to Gilbert’s fifth studio album, Fire & Brimstone. Released on January 14, 2019, the two country rockers traded off vocals for a powerful song.
With Dann Huff’s production, Gilbert wrote the lyrics with songwriters Brock Berryhill, Josh Dunne, and Rhett Akins. “This song builds and burns,” the singer said in a press release. “It really has that want for someone you can’t have and having to live in all the places they are. I wanted to have someone on the record who could match those feelings to really push the song.”
The American singer then chose Ell for the duet. With her brilliant guitar skills and vocals, Ell elicited the emotions needed for the song. “To be part of a song like this is great, but to be asked to play on someone’s song who I respect so much takes it up another level,” the Canadian singer shared.
Unsurprisingly, the song peaked at No. 1 on the US Billboard Country Airplay and No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs. The duo also reached the Canadian and Australian country charts but failed to peak at the top. Nevertheless, “What Happens in a Small Town” brought favorable attention to both singers.
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Meaning Behind the Song
Brantley Gilbert’s songs often incorporate his own real-life experiences, and “What Happens in a Small Town” is only one of them. The song was inspired by the singer’s relationship with his high school sweetheart and wife, Amber Cochran. He paints a picture of a man visiting the old places he used to visit with his ex. The man’s feelings never changed, and luckily for Gilbert, he was able to fix things with Amber and marry her in 2015.
The music video for “What Happens in a Small Town” depicts an isolated town filled with memories of two ex-lovers. Gilbert’s sorrowful delivery was matched by Lindsay Ell’s soaring vocals and exceptional guitar work. During the ending, the two lovers exchange glances as they drive away from each other, leaving a bittersweet and poignant story.
When you’ve been in Gilbert’s position, you know what it feels like to miss the good memories you’ve left behind with an ex-lover. Like he said, “What happens in a small town stays in a small town.” Oftentimes, feelings from the past are never buried until you let them out in the open.
So, take a chance, and reminisce about the lovely memories of your favorite place with Brantley Gilbert and Lindsay Ell’s “What Happens in a Small Town.”
