I Quit Drinking Explained

I Quit Drinking
Cover:I Quit Drinking.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Kelsea Ballerini and LANY
Genre:Country pop[1]
Length:2:51
Chronology:Kelsea Ballerini
Prev Title:Half of My Hometown
Prev Year:2021
Next Title:Heartfirst
Next Year:2022

"I Quit Drinking" is a song by American singer Kelsea Ballerini and American pop band LANY. It was released on June 9, 2021, via Black River Entertainment and Warner Chappell Music. Ballerini co-wrote the song with Nicolle Galyon and Paul Jason Klein, while Jimmy Robbins and Noah Conrad produced it.[2]

Background and content

Ballerini first performed the song with Paul Klein of pop group LANY at the 2021 CMT Music Awards. According to a press release, "I Quit Drinking" is a "break up anthem about quitting drinking" due to it "bring[ing] back too many memories of a past relationship".[3] A press release by Black River Entertainment mentioned the song "describe[s] a couple whose relationship was centered around being the life of the party. When the giddy romance fizzles out, it seems, so does the appeal of the booze."[4]

Critical reception

Rob Costa of Music Talkers praised the combination for doing "a great job painting a picture of reflection, relationships, sacrifice, and the reasons for getting sober. The work put into creating conversational lyrics has paid off here, making the lyrics a real highlight of the song."[5]

Music video

The music video was released on June 15, 2021, and directed by Blythe Thomas. The video was filmed in "the hills of California".[6] It shows Ballerini and Klein as "former lovers recalling happier times together" who can no longer "enjoy the taste of champagne, whiskey, or other alcoholic beverages now" due to it "remind[ing] them of their days as a couple".[7] Finally they sing face-to-face in a rainstorm.[8]

Commercial performance

"I Quit Drinking" debuted at number 30 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated June 26, 2021, after its release.[9]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Peak
position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[10] 31

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for "I Quit Drinking"! Chart (2021)! Position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[11] 93

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
VariousJune 9, 2021[12]
United StatesJuly 19, 2021Adult contemporary radioRED[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kelsea Ballerini and LANY Team Up for 'I Quit Drinking'. Sounds like Nashville. Parton. Chris. June 10, 2021. October 9, 2021.
  2. Web site: Kelsea Ballerini & LANY teamed up for surprise collaboration 'I Quit Drinking'. Variance. Heidt. Dustin. June 9, 2021. October 9, 2021.
  3. Web site: Kelsea Ballerini And LANY Debut New Song 'I Quit Drinking' At CMT Awards. iHeartMedia. Smith. Lindsey. June 10, 2021. October 9, 2021.
  4. Web site: "I Quit Drinking": Kelsea Ballerini and LANY's new song looks at heartbreak with sober clarity. ABC Audio. Liptak. Carena. June 10, 2021. October 9, 2021.
  5. Web site: Review: I Quit Drinking- Kelsea Ballerini & Lany. Music Talkers. Costa. Rob. June 22, 2021. October 9, 2021.
  6. Web site: Kelsea Ballerini and LANY sing in the rain in "I Quit Drinking" video. ABC Audio. Houghton. Cillea. June 15, 2021. October 9, 2021.
  7. Web site: Premiere: Kelsea Ballerini, LANY's Paul Klein Reveal Rain-Soaked "I Quit Drinking" Video. https://web.archive.org/web/20210616194205/http://www.cmt.com/news/1835047/premiere-kelsea-ballerini-lany-reveal-rain-soaked-i-quit-drinking-video/. dead. June 16, 2021. CMT. Nicholson. Jessica. June 15, 2021. October 9, 2021.
  8. Web site: Kelsea Ballerini and LANY Battle Love's Hangover in 'I Quit Drinking' Video. Sounds like Nashville. Parton. Chris. June 16, 2021. October 9, 2021.
  9. Hot Country Songs: June 26, 2021. Billboard. October 9, 2021. subscription.
  10. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. June 21, 2021. October 9, 2021.
  11. Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2021. Billboard. December 2, 2021.
  12. Web site: I Quit Drinking - Single by Kelsea Ballerini & LANY. Apple Music. October 9, 2021.
  13. Web site: Future Releases for Hot/Modern/AC Radio Stations. All Access. October 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210702033414/https://www.allaccess.com/hot-modern-ac/future-releases. July 2, 2021.