I HATE LOVE SONGS: A Distaste for Romantic Lyrical Clichés

If you’re tired of listening to the soppy stuff being played on the radio from time to time, Kelsea Ballerini’s “I Hate Love Song” is just the best tune for you to sing along with. The breakthrough country star must have hated love songs enough to write a song about it. But don’t ever think she’s bitter. In fact, she’s madly in love with her husband, fellow country star Morgan Evans. The two just got married in December last year. So, why then did she write such kind of song?

I Hate Love Songs

Released in 2017, the track is off her second studio album Unapologetically, which tells the chronological story of Ballerini’s recovery from a bad break-up before getting engaged to Evans. That explains it all, she wrote the song while she was mending her broken heart. According to her, she found it easier to write “dark lyrics” than romantic ones. She co-wrote the song with Shane McAnally and Trevor Rosen.

I hate Shakespeare and Gosling and cakes with white frosting
Two names in a heart-shaped tattoo
I think cupid is stupid and violets are purple not blue
I hate catching bouquets, the honeymoon phase
And letterman jackets don’t fit
Your eyes can’t hold stars and you’d die if your heart really skipped

I hate love songs (I hate love songs)
Yeah, I really do (I really do)
I hate love songs (I hate love songs)
But I love you

A Touch of 1950s Doo-wop

The rhythm of “I Hate Love Songs” has a touch of pastiche of saccharine 1950s doo-wop hits. The song’s “classic soul melodies” blended with a “sing-a-long worthy” lyrical arrangement make it a trend in country music. The rhyme scheme makes it easy to be familiarized with.

The song went to radio on March 12, 2018. It reached number 33 on the Billboard Country Airplay and number 28 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Ballerini wasn’t supposed to be including the song in her album. She changed her mind when it received a standing ovation when she performed at the Grand Ole Opry in August 2017.

Asked if she really hates Ryan Gosling, she instantly replied,

“Lord no! He’s a beautiful man! But I love that song. It talks about that heart and head battle. I don’t want to be a clichéd person in love; but I kind of am turning into that.”

So if you too hate love songs or think Cupid is stupid, and violets are purple not blue, sing along with this song, but please don’t get bitter. Have a great day, fella!

And folks, if you like to read more articles about our favorite country stars, check out the Country Thang Daily website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.