Garth Brooks – Ask Me How I Know

About the song

Released in 2017 as part of the album Gunslinger, “Ask Me How I Know” is one of Garth Brooks’ most emotionally charged modern ballads. Though he built his career on electrifying arena anthems and heartfelt storytelling, this song stands out as a particularly raw and introspective reflection on love, regret, and hard-earned wisdom.

Interestingly, the song marks a rare occasion where Brooks recorded a track not written by himself or his longtime collaborators. Instead, it was penned by Mitch Rossell, a rising songwriter whose poignant lyrics and emotive storytelling caught Brooks’ attention. Given Brooks’ deep respect for great songwriting, his decision to record “Ask Me How I Know” speaks volumes about the song’s strength and emotional depth.

A Song About Regret and Unheeded Advice

At its core, “Ask Me How I Know” is a deeply personal cautionary tale, told from the perspective of someone who has been through heartbreak and now recognizes the mistakes that led to it. The lyrics depict a man offering advice to someone who, like his younger self, is too stubborn to see the warning signs in a failing relationship.

Lines like:
“You’re stubborn as they come, you’ll never settle down”
reflect both frustration and a hard-won understanding, as the narrator acknowledges his past arrogance. The song’s chorus—“Ask me how I know”—drives home the idea that wisdom often comes too late, after love has already slipped away.

Musical Composition: A Powerful Vocal Performance

Musically, “Ask Me How I Know” is a slow-burning, emotionally intense country ballad. Unlike the high-energy honky-tonk sound of some of Brooks’ biggest hits, this song relies on a strong vocal delivery and dynamic instrumentation to build emotion. The subtle opening verse, accompanied by soft guitar strumming, sets a reflective tone before the song swells into a powerful, almost pleading chorus.

One of the most striking elements of the track is Garth Brooks’ vocal performance. He sings with a rough, weary intensity, adding weight to every line. As the song progresses, his voice grows more passionate, mirroring the escalating emotions of regret and longing. The result is one of Brooks’ most vocally compelling performances in recent years, proving that he still possesses the power to move listeners with pure emotion.

Cultural Impact and Reception

Despite being released in the later stage of Brooks’ career, “Ask Me How I Know” proved that he still had the ability to connect with audiences. The song became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, making it his first chart-topping single in a decade. This was a testament not only to the song’s strength but also to Brooks’ enduring appeal as a country music icon.

For longtime fans, the song reinforced what they had always loved about Garth Brooks—his ability to capture universal emotions with authenticity and power. For newer listeners, it introduced them to a more mature, reflective side of his artistry, proving that even after decades in the industry, he still had something meaningful to say.

Legacy and Meaning in Brooks’ Catalog

While Garth Brooks is best known for his epic live performances, stadium anthems, and high-energy country rock, “Ask Me How I Know” showcases a different strength—his ability to deliver deeply personal, emotionally raw ballads. It stands as one of his most poignant later-career releases, offering a reminder that no matter how much success or experience one gains, love and regret remain universal themes.

For anyone who has ever looked back on love with a sense of “if only I had known then what I know now,” this song hits home. It’s a testament to Brooks’ timeless ability to tell stories that feel as personal as they are universal, making “Ask Me How I Know” a standout moment in his remarkable career.

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Lyrics

You’re stubborn as they come, you’ll never settle down
You’ll always be the one who doesn’t stick around
You make all the rules, you’re set in your ways
Yeah, you gotta have your freedom and you gotta have your space

But one day you’ll meet the girl you swore you’d never find
Start feeling things you never felt and spending all your time
Trying to figure out how she got this hold on you
And when you start to fall, you’ll hold onto your pride
Start building up your walls and never let her get inside
You’ll push her away ’cause that’s all you know how to do
And then she’ll leave and you won’t beg her not to go
Ask me how I know

Go on and shake your head and tell me that I’m wrong
Say, “I’m just another fool and this is just another song”
But I know how you are ’cause I know how I am
And I’d give anything to go back and try again

‘Cause one day you’ll meet the girl you swore you’d never find
Start feeling things you never felt and spending all your time
Trying to figure out how she got this hold on you
And when you start to fall, you’ll hold onto your pride
Start building up your walls and never let her get inside
You’ll push her away ’cause that’s all you know how to do
And then she’ll leave and you won’t beg her not to go
Ask me how I know

And you best put this song on repeat
Maybe then you won’t end up like me

‘Cause one day you’ll meet the girl you swore you’d never find
Start feeling things you never felt and spending all your time
Trying to figure out how she got this hold on you
And when you start to fall, you’ll hold onto your pride
Start building up your walls and never let her get inside
You’ll push her away ’cause that’s all you know how to do
And then she’ll leave and you won’t beg her not to go
Ask me how I know, ask me how I know, ’cause man I know