About The Song
When The Statler Brothers released “Let’s Get Started If We’re Gonna Break My Heart” in 1975, they showcased their knack for blending lighthearted storytelling with traditional country and gospel influences, creating a song that stands out for both its playful tone and its bittersweet theme. Featured on their album “The Statler Brothers’ Greatest Hits Volume 2,” this track adds a touch of humor to the typically somber subject of heartache, offering a unique perspective on love, relationships, and the anticipation of inevitable emotional pain.
Written by Don Reid, “Let’s Get Started If We’re Gonna Break My Heart” begins with the narrator acknowledging that their relationship is heading toward a breakup, but instead of dragging out the inevitable, they propose to “get started” and get it over with. The song is about accepting the situation and embracing the reality that sometimes love doesn’t work out, all while keeping the mood surprisingly light. With the line “Let’s get started if we’re gonna break my heart,” the song carries a playful yet resigned tone, making it stand out among more typical sad country ballads.
Musically, “Let’s Get Started If We’re Gonna Break My Heart” features The Statler Brothers’ signature harmonies, which are upbeat and perfectly complement the song’s humorous and wry lyrical content. The instrumentation is classic country, with steel guitar and fiddle adding to the song’s lively feel. The arrangement helps to keep the overall tone light, and the rhythmic beat makes it an easy song to tap along to, despite its emotional subject matter. The Statler Brothers’ harmonies shine through, delivering the song’s somewhat paradoxical message with sincerity and charm.
Although “Let’s Get Started If We’re Gonna Break My Heart” was not released as a single, it quickly became a fan favorite, particularly for those who appreciate The Statler Brothers’ ability to inject a sense of humor and irony into the complexities of relationships. The song’s witty lyrics and catchy melody make it a standout in their catalog, and it remains a lighthearted yet emotionally relatable track for anyone who has experienced the confusion of a relationship that is falling apart, yet still hopes for a clean break.
More than 40 years after its release, “Let’s Get Started If We’re Gonna Break My Heart” endures as an example of The Statler Brothers’ ability to tackle heartache with a touch of humor and a sense of reality. It’s a testament to the group’s talent for telling authentic stories that resonate with listeners, proving that sometimes even the most painful emotions can be approached with a sense of playfulness and acceptance.