"Love You Like I Used To" is a song recorded by American
country music singer
Russell Dickerson from his second studio album, Southern Symphony (2020). Dickerson co-wrote the song with Casey Brown and Parker Welling, the same writers that worked on his previous three singles.[2] Dickerson and Brown also produced the record alongside
Dann Huff. It was released February 11, 2020 and serviced to American
country radio March 2, 2020 as the album's
lead single.[2][3]
Background
"Love You Like I Used To" was first written in January 2018 and then rewritten in September 2018 while Dickerson was on tour with
Lady A.[4][5] The writers re-worked the lyrics to create a
plot twist in the first verse wherein the song presents as "a breakup song" before the chorus reveals it to be a testament to an evolving love story.[2] Dickerson views "Love You Like I Used To" as a spiritual successor to breakthrough hit, "
Yours" since it shows the growth of a relationship and better reflects his current state.[2]
Critical reception
Billy Dukes of Taste of Country wrote that the song is "a vocal showcase" that demonstrates Dickerson's ability to "[add] emotion to made-for-radio arrangements."[6]
Music video
An accompanying music video, directed by Dickerson's wife Kailey and brother-in-law Toben Seymour, premiered April 8, 2020.[7] The clip follows a man who leaves a note for his wife before heading out on a business trip, which makes her cry upon reading it. At his new location, the man catches the attention of a female coffee shop customer, who offers him her phone number. He declines and happily returns home to his wife and children. The video ends by panning to the note, which contains the final lyrics of the song's chorus: "Didn't know I could ever love you more than I did, but baby I do. I don't love you like I used to."[8] "Love You Like I Used To" is the first video of Dickerson's career to utilize actors in the character roles rather than featuring himself and his wife.[8]
