"The Truth" is a song written by Brett James and Ashley Monroe, and recorded by Trent Willmon for his 2008 album Broken In. The song was then covered by Jason Aldean on his album Wide Open. Aldean's version was released to radio on September 28, 2009 as the third single from the album, following the number one hits "She's Country" and "Big Green Tractor."

"The Truth" is a mid-tempo ballad in which a male looks at his failing relationship, asking his (ex)girlfriend not to tell others "the truth" about it. The final line reveals that the "truth" is that he still needs her.

The song was recorded by Trent Willmon on his 2008 album Broken In before Aldean recorded it for his third studio album, 2009's Wide Open. Regarding the song, Aldean told the website Country Standard Time, "This is one of those songs that I heard the first time and knew I wanted to cut[…]He's basically begging[…]saying 'make up whatever story you want, tell 'em I left town or whatever you need to say[…]just don't tell 'em the truth.' I don't know a guy who hasn't been through that before."

Ashley Monroe told Country Weekly magazine that she began writing the song with Brett James after having dinner at his house. She was "missing a boy" at the time, and used her former relationship as the inspiration for the song. She and James thought that it would be "more interesting to write about stuff that's not the truth, rather than the truth itself." James said that he enjoyed Aldean's recording because "he sounds just like the character I had in mind when I hear him sing it."

Jason Aldean has stated "The Truth" is his favorite song from the Wide Open album.

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Wikipedia