Introduction
Ronnie Dunn Shares How an Ariana Grande Song Inspired His New Album Title Track
In a recent interview, country music legend Ronnie Dunn opened up about the unexpected journey behind his latest title track, “Tattoo Heart,” and how it all began with a song by pop star Ariana Grande.
It started when his youngest daughter, currently attending Ole Miss, walked in one day brimming with excitement over a new artist she had discovered. A lifelong music lover with a great ear, she introduced her father to Ariana Grande and played him a few of her tracks.
Ronnie recalled: “She put the headphones on me, and I just started listening. There was one song that hit me—it felt like a throwback to the ‘50s in some ways, even though the production was modern and fresh. Suddenly, something clicked in the back of my mind. I thought, ‘What if I went and recorded this song in my own style?’ I wasn’t trying to copy anything, but there was something about it—the melody was singable, familiar, and really compelling.”
Ronnie went into the studio and began crafting his own version of the song, with the help of producer Charlie Judd. The result wasn’t just another cover—it became something deeply personal and ultimately earned its place as the title track of his new album, “Tattoo Heart.”
So how did his daughter react to his rendition of the song?
“She heard it and said, ‘I love it,’” Ronnie laughed. “And for her, that’s a big compliment. Just the fact that she even listened to it means a lot. I’m not sure if I made it onto her playlist, though—I’ll have to ask.”
This touching story reveals not only Ronnie Dunn’s openness to musical inspiration from unlikely places, but also his connection with his daughter—bridging generations and genres to create something new, meaningful, and entirely his own.