Lindsay Ell, ‘By the Way’ [Listen]

Lindsay Ell’s new single “By the Way” is a little sweeter sounding than her previous releases, but it still has teeth. Don’t let the hooky banjo and mandolin combo fool you. This is a good old fashioned man hating song, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

“By the Way” is sure to go over well when Ell plays it live this fall and winter. The melody sticks to you like sugar, while the message lingers like molasses.

“Thank you, Mr. Cowboy Boots for making a fool of me / Now I know not to trust every sweet-talking boy in a pair of tight blue jeans / And thank you Mr. Baseball cap, for standing me up / You left me at the party all alone and that’s where I met Mr. Pickup truck,” Ell sings after a quick introduction.

She gets to flash her guitar skills after the second chorus, but this song relies on clever lyrics and the singer’s energetic performance. The chorus goes:

“How long did you think that I’d stay lonely or I / Guess you didn’t know me, I’m good at getting over goodbye / Good thing I ain’t stuck with you forever / By the way, hey by the way / Guess who’s going out tonight / By the way, hey by the way / Guess who’s going out tonight.”

The arrangement is undeniably modern, but one stops short of calling this pop-country. “By the Way” is pinned down with real, organic instrumentation, making it a refreshing listen every time.

Why Fans Will Love It: It's a getting-over-you song that's still a little sweet.

Key Lyrics: "Good thing I ain’t stuck with you forever / By the way, hey by the way / Guess who’s going out tonight."

Did You Know?: Ell recently busked for 24 straight hours to raise money for Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

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