Introduction
Let’s Get Started If We’Re Gonna Break My Heart: A Song of Love’s Preemptive Heartbreak
The Statler Brothers’ “Let’s Get Started If We’re Gonna Break My Heart” might sound like a contradiction at first listen. This 1988 country ballad, written by Don and Harold Reid, takes a head-on approach to the vulnerability of falling in love.
The song debuted in October 1988 as the lead single for the Statler Brothers’ compilation album, “Greatest Hits.” The release marked a successful period for the group, having already established themselves as country music mainstays for over two decades.
“Let’s Get Started If We’re Gonna Break My Heart” plays on the bittersweet reality of love. The narrator acknowledges the potential for heartbreak but finds the allure of the relationship too strong to resist. The lyrics paint a picture of someone who’s been hurt before but is willing to take the chance again:
(Let’s Get Started If We’re Gonna Break My Heart lyrics)
“I’ve been down this road before, with a heartache in my hand,
But I see that look in your eyes, and I don’t understand,
How a love so sweet can bring so much pain.”
The song resonates with anyone who’s ever loved and lost. It captures the courage it takes to open yourself up to love again, despite the fear of getting hurt. The melody, a classic country ballad with prominent steel guitar, complements the melancholic yet hopeful lyrics.
“Let’s Get Started If We’re Gonna Break My Heart” became a signature song for The Statler Brothers. It continues to be a popular choice for country music fans who appreciate the group’s honest storytelling and timeless sound.