David Serby Tells it Like it is with “No Happy Endings” [Premiere]

Despite his career as a screenwriter living in Hollywood, David Serby has never lost sight of his roots. He relates music more to the average, hard-working individual who’s just trying to find their own way. His new single, “No Happy Endings,” is a reflection of that mindset.

Inspired by 1960s folk and country music, the song pays tribute to the average person, trudging through life, trying to find their own way. Growing up, we are thrown a lot of exaggerations and mistruths just through experiencing mainstream culture. “No Happy Endings” is an acknowledgement of this culture and the promises we are fed by movies and television. They often don’t come true, but it’s only much later in life that we come to this realization.

Commenting on the writing and inspiration of the song, Serby states:

“I love Buck Owens, and on this one, I was really trying to rip him off. This song is basically my take on ‘Act Naturally’ (which was written by Johnny Russell), in which the singer uses movie themes to lament a broken heart. It’s short (less than three minutes) and punchy like good Buck Owens songs, although sonically it’s not as ‘country’ as I’d envisioned it when I wrote it. I have a tendency to play almost everything too fast, and when we were working it up with the band, the tempo just stuck.

“A lot of my songs, especially if you listen to The Latest Scam record, start out as country tunes, but then we run them through a ’60s pop song carwash. That’s what happened here. (Guitarist) Ed Tree came up with that brilliant, catchy riff, and it ate the song. We loved it so much we made it the intro, the solo, and the outro.”

In penning a song like “No Happy Endings,” Serby is coming from an interesting point of view since he has actually lived in Hollywood for most of his life now. It’s not meant to be an admonishment of Hollywood culture, but more a reality check on real life and the real world. It’s in line with his frank, authentic artistic character. You’ll discover more of this straight-up, no-nonsense songwriting on his brand new album, Broken Heart in a Honky Tonk. Due out on May 29th, the album promises to feature plenty of fun, high-energy country anthems, as well as more introspective moments. It’s an album Serby could have only ever made now, with where he is in his life and career. He’s experienced and observed a lot, experienced high highs and low lows, and seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.

As Serby readily admits, you don’t learn as much from success as you do failure. The pain helps guide you towards appreciation and comfort. And it will ultimately make you happier with what you have, rather than resentful of what you don’t.

Broken Heart in a Honky Tonk Track Listing:

01. Broken Heart in a Honky Tonk
02. Don’t Stay Fixed
03. Flight Path
04. Chase a Buck
05. Border Town Romance
06. Gone for Good
07. No Happy Endings
08. Little Ol’Bruise
09. Charm, Looks or Money
10. If I Weren’t Me
11. Drive Me Home

David Serby “No Happy Endings” single artwork

David Serby ‘Broken Heart in a Honky Tonk’ album artwork