"Love in a Bar" is a song recorded by American country music singer-songwriter Ryan Hurd. It was released on September 16, 2016, through Sony Music Nashville and served as the lead single from his 2017 self-titled debut EP. Written by Hurd and Joey Hyde, and produced by Aaron Eshuis, the song reached No. 50 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and helped establish Hurd as one of country music's emerging artists in 2016.[1]
Hurd was primarily known as a songwriter, co-writing hits such as Blake Shelton’s "Lonely Tonight," which earned Grammy and CMA nominations. He signed with Sony Music Nashville’s RCA Nashville imprint in 2016, with the label describing him as one of its "new artist breakouts". Following the release of his debut single "We Do Us" in August 2016, Hurd and Sony announced his second single would be "Love in a Bar" and be released the following month.[2]
The song was written by Hurd with fellow songwriter Joey Hyde and draws directly from Hurd's early relationship with Maren Morris, whom he met during their first co-writing session in 2013. Hurd has repeatedly described the track as autobiographical, explaining that it recounts the real moments when their longtime friendship shifted toward romance.[3] In a 2021 CBS interview, Hurd stated that "Love in a Bar" is "literally every single line" of their real story, capturing the nights they spent talking on bar patios after songwriting sessions.[4]
Morris has echoed this, calling the song a "beautiful time-stamp" of the beginning of their relationship and noting its universal themes of two people falling for each other in an ordinary setting.[5]
Release and promotion
"Love in a Bar" was officially released on September 16, 2016, as the lead single from Hurd's four-track self-titled EP on April 7, 2017. The song was sent to country radio on June 12, 2017, which led to being Hurd's debut on the country music charts as an artist contrary to being a songwriter.[2] The EP's release strategy, unveiling four songs with four corresponding music videos over four months was highlighted by Billboard as being an unconventional but effective approach that helped Hurd attract a growing fanbase.[6]
Critics described "Love in a Bar" as a country ballad with pop-rock and Americana influences, characterized by a warm, melodic arrangement and Hurd's gravel-toned vocals.
MusicRow praised Hurd's vocal performance for shifting "from a whisper to a scream," highlighting the single's impressive production handled by producer Aaron Eshuis for its dynamic build, swirling melody, and calling the track "utterly enchanting" and naming Hurd its DisCovery Award winner.[8]Taste of Country and The Boot highlighted the emotional sincerity and autobiographical nature of the track, noting its intimate storytelling and strong melodic pull.[9][2]
Music video
The official music video for "Love in a Bar" premiered on November 6, 2017.[5][10][11] Filmed in black-and-white at Hurd's family lake house in west Michigan, the video features Hurd and Morris sharing candid moments including dockside scenes, boat rides, mornings at the cabin, and time with their dog.[9][11][12] The lake house is personally significant: Hurd proposed to Morris on the same property, using the same canoe featured in the video.[11][10]
Hurd stated that the intention was to show authentic parts of their relationship rather than reenactments, giving fans "a sliver of what we do on a normal day."[10][5]
Taste of Country referred to the video as presenting a "black-and-white love story," while The Boot highlighted its summer-ready sound and vivid imagery.[9][2]
Commercial performance
"Love in a Bar" charted on Billboard's Country Airplay chart, marking Hurd’s first chart entry as a solo artist.[1]
By late 2017, the EP had accumulated more than 17 million streams, with "Love in a Bar" emerging as the breakout track.[6]
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