Story Behind the Song: Jillian Jacqueline ft. TJ Osborne, ‘Better With a Broken Heart’

Jillian Jacqueline's brand new single "Better With a Broken Heart" was born during a period of uncertainty and change that reached beyond the strange beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This was the first song I wrote in the pandemic, via Zoom, with Tofer and I joined by our friend Adam James," Jacqueline tells The Boot. "It feels like the cornerstone of the album."

Lyrically, "Better With a Broken Heart" explores how the ache of a broken heart can often be soothed by the right song, even if that relief feels fleeting or bittersweet.

"I love that country music has always embraced a lonely, heartbroken feeling," she says. "I grew up on all those country heartache songs, from Patsy Cline to Pam Tillis. This has a bit of that twang and those saloon chords."

The tune's relatable message and sweeping country soundscape is elevated by the addition of TJ Osborne, who brings another level of soul and depth to the track.

"I’m thrilled to have TJ of Brothers Osborne singing with me on it," Jacqueline notes. "I’ve always loved that resonant voice of his, with this emotional tremor to it. He really nailed it in the studio, and hearing us together on the chorus just gives me chills!”

Jillian Jacqueline's debut album Honestly will be released June 10 via Virgin Music. The highly-anticipated project was born out of a transformational period for the singer-songwriter, both personally and creatively. The record is the final result of a process of revisiting and stripping down the collection of songs to create something she felt authentically represented her vision.

"The passion of making this record was really a creative rebirth, putting me back in touch with what I’ve always loved about music," Jacqueline notes.

Honestly came together while Jacqueline entered many new phases in her life, including a new marriage with bandmate and producer Bryan Brown and giving birth to their first child together. The album was truly a family affair for Jacqueline, who recorded the record in her home studio with the help of both her husband and her brother-in-law, Topher.

Although Honestly is an incredibly personal project for Jacqueline, she hopes that fans make their own special connections with the music.

"I’m so proud of this record we've made, and I’d love for Honestly to be there for my listeners when they really need it, the way my favorite albums have always been there for me.”

“Better with a Broken Heart” Lyrics:
A sunset goes good with a blanket on the hood and someone to red wine kiss
A morning was made for pulling down the shades and let’s spend all day just like this
And saying goodbye is always best in the dark
But nothing goes together when it all falls apart like

Neon burned out with a few whiskeys down
And a sad song in a smoky bar
A long drive alone without anywhere to go
And the rain on the roof of this car
Some things just go better with a broken heart

Don’t need to go out with my friends on the town or fall into a strangers bed
That might work for most but for me it don’t come close, I’d rather be alone instead
No my misery don’t need company, just

Neon burned out with a few whiskeys down
And a sad song in a smoky bar
A long drive alone without anywhere to go
And the rain on the roof of this car
Some things just go better with a broken heart

It’s a match made in heaven when it hurts like hell
And nothing goes together like all by myself and

Neon burned out with a few whiskeys down
And a sad song in a smoky bar
A long drive alone without anywhere to go
And the rain on the roof of this car
Some things just go better with a broken heart
Oh, some things just go better with a broken heart

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