Heartbreak Hotel told Durden, "Everybody in the world has someone who cares. Let's put a Heartbreak Hotel at the end of this lonely street". They were interrupted by the arrival of Glenn Reeves, a local performer who had previously worked with Axton. The duo asked Reeves to help with the song, but after hearing the title he remarked that it was "the silliest thing I've ever heard", and left them to finish it themselves. The song was written within an hour, and Durden recorded it onto Axton's tape recorder. Reeves returned, and after hearing the song he was asked to provide a
Heartbreak Song delivery. The song was inspired by Guyton's ex-boyfriend, who was also the subject of previous single, "Better Than You Left Me", after Guyton learned that the man was "bragging" that she "wrote [the song] about him." Critics have noted thematic similarities with her debut single in contrast to the more upbeat tone and more pop-leaning production. The staff of "Taste of Country" noted that the song is less of a "vocal showcase" than her previous single, but that Guyton "continues to prove her worth as a fine storyteller" on the track. The blog also praised the song's radio-friendly sound. Heartbreak