Want Me Back Explained

Want Me Back
Artist:Lindsay Ell
Album:Heart Theory
Type:single
Cover:Want Me Back.jpeg
Chronology:Lindsay Ell singles
Prev Title:I Don't Love You
Prev Year:2019
Next Title:Good on You
Next Year:2021

"Want Me Back" (stylized as "wAnt me back"[1]) is a song co-written and recorded by Canadian country music artist Lindsay Ell.[2] She co-wrote the track with Kane Brown, Matt McGinn, and Lindsay Rimes.[3] The song was the second single off Ell's fifth studio album Heart Theory.[4]

Background

Ell said of "Want Me Back", "It’s all about stepping into your own power".[5] Co-writer Kane Brown stated: "I think Lindsay is an awesome artist. I was excited and grateful to be part of the song".[1]

Critical reception

Billy Dukes of Taste of Country called the track Ell's "most commercially friendly radio release to date," adding "the clean structure, guitar lines and verses recall and build off of the Brantley Gilbert collaboration 'What Happens in a Small Town'".[6] Soundigest called the song "upbeat" and an "empowerment anthem".[7]

Commercial performance

"Want Me Back" reached a peak of #1 on the Billboard Canada Country chart dated December 12, 2020,[8] becoming Ell's second number one.[9] The song also reached a peak of #89 on the Canadian Hot 100, as well as #35 on Hot Country Songs and #52 on Country Airplay in the United States, while it peaked at number 44 on The Music Networks Country Hot 50 in Australia. In March 2021, the song was certified Gold by Music Canada, becoming the first single of Ell's career to achieve this status.

Music video

The official music video for "Want Me Back" premiered on October 8, 2020.[10] The video finds Ell in a fictional duo named "Eddie and Ell" before breaking out as a solo artist herself. Chris Parton of Sounds Like Nashville said "the glamorous clip sends a powerful message … especially to young girls".[11] Ell told CMT: "The video captures the whole story line in which my whole persona changes from an unconfident, held-back woman, to then realizing my own self-power and stepping into it".[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lindsay Ell - wAnt me back . Daily Play MPE . June 22, 2020. January 7, 2021.
  2. Web site: Heart Theory - Lindsay Ell . . August 25, 2020.
  3. Web site: Want Me Back - Lindsay Ell. AllMusic. January 7, 2021.
  4. Web site: Lindsay Ell Details New Album, 'Heart Theory' . Rolling Stone . June 26, 2020.
  5. Web site: Lindsay Ell Releases "wAnt me back" and Reveals Album Details . Brianna. Vacca. NY Country Swag. June 29, 2020.
  6. Web site: Billy. Dukes. Lindsay Ell Checks an Ex During the Confident 'Want Me Back' [Listen]]. Taste of Country. June 26, 2020.
  7. Web site: Lindsay Ell's "Want Me Back" is the Empowering Post-Breakup Song We Needed. Soundigest. July 1, 2020.
  8. Web site: Canada Country chart for December 12, 2020 . Billboard . December 5, 2020.
  9. Web site: Lindsay Ell Wraps Up 2020 With Chart Success For "wAnt me back". Nick. Cantwell. Belles and Gals . December 11, 2020.
  10. Web site: Lindsay Ell - wAnt me back. YouTube. January 7, 2021. video. October 8, 2020.
  11. News: Parton. Chris. LINDSAY ELL FINDS HER POWER IN 'WANT ME BACK' VIDEO. January 7, 2021. Sounds Like Nashville. October 9, 2020.
  12. News: Lindsay Ell Evokes Cher's Story of Solo Stardom in "wAnt Me Back" Video. https://web.archive.org/web/20201008130219/http://www.cmt.com/news/1825707/lindsay-ell-want-me-back-video/. dead. October 8, 2020. January 7, 2021. CMT. October 8, 2020.
  13. Web site: TMN Country Hot 50 . The Music Network . May 5, 2021 . Issue 1309.