Brokenhearted (William Michael Morgan song)
| "Brokenhearted" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by William Michael Morgan | ||||
| Released | October 26, 2018 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:10 | |||
| Label | Sony | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producers | ||||
| William Michael Morgan singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Brokenhearted" is a song recorded by American country music artist William Michael Morgan. It was released as a standalone single on October 26, 2018, via Sony Music. The song was co-written by Rhett Akins, Marv Green, and J. T. Harding.
American country music artist Joe Nichols recorded and released the song on June 19, 2023, as the third and final single from his tenth studio album, Good Day for Living. The song served as the follow-up to the album's title track, which saw Nichols return to the top 20 on the charts for the first time since 2014.
History
"Brokenhearted" was co-written by Rhett Akins, Marv Green, and J. T. Harding at Green's office in 2018.[1] Country band Midland and Tim McGraw almost recorded their own versions, but it was eventually scrapped.[1]
The song was the second collaboration between Morgan and Akins, as Akins also co-wrote "Missing".[2]
The music video was directed by Colin Duffy.[3]
Content
The song is a mid-tempo, easygoing track that describes how country music as a genre has "abandoned the kind of heartbreak and hard times songs that once formed its backbone for lyrics about endless good times and fun."[4]
Joe Nichols version
| "Brokenhearted" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Joe Nichols | ||||
| from the album Good Day for Living | ||||
| Released | June 19, 2023 | |||
| Recorded | January 2021 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 3:13 | |||
| Label | Quartz Hill | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producers | ||||
| Joe Nichols singles chronology | ||||
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The song, and the album as a whole, were an attempt to return to a more traditional country sound.[5]
Nichols described "Brokenhearted" as a satirical song that disguises "a sad country song with a danceable beat," akin to Nichols' 2002 hit, "Brokenheartsville".[1] He also said the song was difficult to sing, due to there not being a lot of space to breathe.[6]
Nichols described the reaction to the song as "everything you would want, and more. People really reacted to it."[7]
Chart performance
| Chart (2023) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Country Airplay (Billboard)[8] | 46 |
References
- ^ a b c Roland, Tom (July 19, 2023). "Joe Nichols' 'Brokenhearted': How Its Creators Disguised a Sad Country Song With a Danceable Beat". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
- ^ Liptak, Carena (November 22, 2018). "Story Behind the Song: William Michael Morgan, 'Brokenhearted'". The Boot. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
- ^ Sawyer, Bobbie Jean (October 31, 2018). "Hear William Michael Morgan Lament the Lack of Sad Country Songs in 'Brokenhearted'". Wide Open Country. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
- ^ Whitaker, Sterling (October 27, 2018). "William Michael Morgan's New Song Puts the 'Brokenhearted' Back in Country". Taste of Country. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
- ^ Nicholson, Jessica (February 16, 2022). "Joe Nichols Talks Reuniting With Benny Brown at New Label Home Quartz Hill, New Album: "It's a Fun Record, a Country Album"". Billboard. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
- ^ Palsa, Nicole (August 14, 2023). "Joe Nichols Talks 'Brokenhearted' And The Resurgence Of Traditional Country Music". Country Now. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
- ^ Papadatos, Markos (July 14, 2023). "Joe Nichols talks about his new country single 'Brokenhearted'". Digital Journal. Retrieved January 18, 2026.
- ^ "Joe Nichols Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard.