Behind the Meaning of Kelsea Ballerini’s “Blindsided”

The latest era of Kelsea Ballerini‘s career has proven her to be a consequential and unbridled songwriter. She hasn’t shied away from expressing the somber sides of her life. One of her best songs in that vein is “Blindsided.” Check out the meaning behind the song, below.

[RELATED: Kelsea Ballerini Announces New Song “Cowboys Cry Too,” Shares Why She Picked Noah Kahan for the Duet]

Behind the Meaning of Kelsea Ballerini’s “Blindsided”

Were you on the other line or driving in your car?

Were you hiding upstairs or playing your guitar?

Was there nothing ever wrong, ’cause you were always right?

Tell me, were you blindsided or were you just blind?

Ballerini lays it all out on the table with this song. She certainly doesn’t paint her ex in a good light. She lists reasons he let their relationship fall by the way side. Namely, she points out his inability to accept when he’s wrong.

At some point, the subject of this song must have expressed how blindsided he was by their breakup. Ballerini challenges that idea, asking him “Were you really blindsided or did you just avoid our issues?”

Like that one time in 2019, before that big show, we had a big fight

I slept on the couch and then the next night you put on your suit

I put on a smile and sang about how it’s okay to cry, dying inside

Ballerini gets even more candid in the bridge of this song, referencing a specific moment in 2019 when she had to hide her emotions while on stage. I put on a smile and sang about how it’s okay to cry, dying inside, she sings.

Now you’re singin’ it loud on the radio

You couldn’t say it to my face

You would’ve searched the whole world over

Yeah, sure, okay

In an extended version of the song, Ballerini decides to let all of her anger out. She references her ex’s music, essentially chalking it up to one big act of showboating. The extended verse adds even more fuel the fire Ballerini stokes in this song.

Revisit the track, below.

Featured Image by Hunter Berry/Country Music Association