Grab a glass and prepare to feel all the feelings, because Onoleigh is back with another post-breakup anthem. Only this time, the sass is traded for straight-up sorrow. Her new single, “Bottomless Tears,” drops today (February 7), and let’s just say… this one hurts.
If her last hit “OK Later” was the fiery mic-drop after a brutal breakup, then “Bottomless Tears” is the slow, soul-crushing realization of what’s been lost. “These songs tell the same story but from two very different emotional perspectives,” Onoleigh tells Celeb Secrets in an exclusive interview. “’OK Later’ was the immediate gut reaction — the anger, the defiance. ‘Bottomless Tears’ is what comes after, when reality sets in and you’re left with the heartbreak.”
Co-written with award-winning songwriters Josh Goode (2x Emmy Award winner) and Sam SZND (4x Platinum songwriter, NCT Dream’s “Glitch Mode”) and produced by Grammy-nominated Emile Ghantous (Chris Brown, Fifth Harmony), “Bottomless Tears” blends traditional country storytelling with sleek, modern production. The track is the final single before Onoleigh’s highly-anticipated debut EP, First Rodeo, out March 14, and it sets the tone for the raw, unfiltered vulnerability she’s about to serve up.
“There’s nothing more country than raising a glass to heartache, and this is my version,” she explains. But unlike the classic whiskey-drenched honky-tonk bangers we all know and love, Onoleigh’s approach is devastatingly poetic. With lyrics like “Cheers to all the memories that I’ll miss, holidays, and graduations of our future kids,” she takes us on an emotional spiral through the what-ifs and never-will-bes of a love gone wrong.
That gut-punch of a hook? Pure magic. “We shaped the melody to follow the guitars, so I’m literally singing in sync with the top line,” she reveals. “That layering gives the song this hypnotic, emotional pull that just hits different.”
If you’re wondering whether this heartbreak came from the same guy who inspired “OK Later,” the answer is a resounding yes. “Same guy, same heartbreak,” Onoleigh confirms. But this time, there’s no sugarcoating it.
“’OK Later’ masked the pain with a little attitude, but ‘Bottomless Tears’ is when the walls come down. The anger is gone, and what’s left is just pure heartbreak,” she continues.
Teaming up again with Emile Ghantous proved to be the perfect collaboration for this track. “Emile brought something really special to this track,” Onoleigh shares. “He’s known for his work with pop acts like Chris Brown, Pitbull, and Fifth Harmony, so I was excited to work with him and let his pop influence shape my country sound. The result is a perfect blend of traditional country roots with fresh, modern production elements.”
And yes, she absolutely brought that stormy, heart-wrenching vision to life in the “Bottomless Tears” music video. “I’m a martini drinker, so picture this: a night at the bar, emotions running high, and then stepping out into the pouring rain in 20-degree weather,” she teases. “Chilled, moody, and completely unfiltered.”
For Onoleigh, writing gut-wrenching tracks like this is the most cathartic part of her process. “Raw, emotional tracks like ‘Bottomless Tears’ are the most cathartic for me,” she explains. “There’s something about channeling that deep emotion into a ballad that feels truly healing, and I think that’s where the real power in songwriting lies.”
With past singles racking up over 700,000 streams and playlist love from CMT, ACM, and Spotify’s Fresh Finds Country, Onoleigh is proving she’s got range — from empowerment bops to gut-wrenching ballads. And while she admits that pouring her soul into a song like “Bottomless Tears” is the most cathartic part of her process, fans should gear up for a serious shift when First Rodeo drops next month.
“‘Bottomless Tears’ is certainly the most emotional track on the EP, and it sets the tone for that raw vulnerability I love to showcase in my music. But after this, we’ll be taking the power back with the title track, ‘First Rodeo,’” she hints. “It’s a bold, confident anthem that brings a whole different energy, so fans can expect a nice mix of emotional depth and empowering vibes.”
And for those looking for a little extra Onoleigh? She’s throwing a First Rodeo release party at Analog in the Hutton Hotel in Nashville on March 13 — so mark your calendars. “It’s going to be a great night of music, and I’d love to see you there!”
In the meantime, cue up “Bottomless Tears,” grab a martini (or maybe some tissues), and let yourself feel it. Onoleigh just poured her heart out—it’s only fair you do the same.
Take a listen to “Bottomless Tears” below and let us know what you think of the song by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecretscountry.
