Pete Blackwood turns repeated mistakes into country storytelling with “I Did It Again”

Telling yourself that you won’t do that again doesn’t teach you anything. Pete Blackwood takes a look at the old-country Americana single “I Did It Again,” inspired by the experience of going back to somewhere you thought you’d left behind.

This version is a classic country take on a subject that has spanned generations and was inspired by Hank Williams’ “Lovesick Blues.” Blackwood is not too worried about repeating the same mistakes, and he says it’s an embarrassing place to be, back at square one after saying you were going to do things differently- but being honest about it, one can laugh about it. “I Did It Again” stands out from that mix.

The song’s story celebrates the imperfections that come with trying to change long-ingrained habits. It’s light enough that you can relate to the experience, and Pete Blackwood latches onto a common human struggle and makes it feel real. “I Did It Again” works because it feels familiar to make the same mistake again, and the humor reminds us that self-awareness is a good place to start to do better.