The Story Behind the Song: Hunter Hayes, “Somebody’s Heartbreak”

Written by: Hunter Hayes, Luke Laird, Andrew Dorff
Recorded by: Hunter Hayes
Peak Chart Position: No. 1 Billboard Country

What’s a typical day like in the life of Andrew Dorff?

I love the mornings. I’m usually at the gym by 7 am, have something to eat and get ready for the day. One of my biggest hobbies/vices is smoking cigars, and I love a good mild cigar while doing emails and such before I write. Then it’s off to writing by 10:30 am. I write til we’re done, sometimes by 1 or sometimes til 6 or 7. Whatever it takes. Things are pretty chill at night unless there’s a hockey game. I go to all the Preds games.

When and where did you, Hunter and Luke write “Somebody’s Heartbreak?”

We wrote the song at our publishing building, at Universal Music. I believe it was February 2010. It may have been Valentine’s Day actually.

How much or how little did you edit it, during or afterward? Were there any phrases or words you can remember that were especially tough to make a final decision on?

Basically just the title. It was originally gonna be called “Heartbreak Be Mine.”

Did you guys demo it or simply worktape it? How did it wind up getting cut and becoming the single? 

It was pretty pop sounding when we first demoed it. Hunter then took it and did his own little version that really changed people’s minds about the song, that it could work for his project. It quickly went from too different for the project to one of the favorites.

Who was the biggest cheerleader of the song, besides the writers?

Cyndi Forman, one of our publishers really believed in it from day one.

What do you enjoy most about writing songs in general?

I love the process. I love having nothing in the morning and something by the afternoon or evening. It’s pretty magical. Collaborating with the most creative people in the world is pretty awesome!

What has the overall experience been like collaborating with Hunter and Luke?

Those guys are pros. We have fun which is so important. Their talents blow me away really. . .

Do you have any advice for aspiring or newly professional songwriters?

Just believe in yourself. You have to know how to pick yourself up and dust yourself off in this business. It’s a roller coaster of a profession . . . but it’s worth everything that comes with it.

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