Kelsea Ballerini gave fans the first taste of new music from her upcoming third studio album with the release of new single “Homecoming Queen?” on Sept. 6. Kelsea co-penned the new tune with Jimmy Robbins and Nicole Galyon, both of whom had cuts on Kelsea’s sophomore album, Unapologetically.
“‘Homecoming Queen?’ is about taking the filter off of yourself and just being authentic,” says Kelsea.
Kelsea also dropped an emotionally charged new video for the tune. Directed by Shane Drake, the video features Kelsea—front and center—with a camera that tracks around her as she gradually goes from “glam to raw.”
Watch the new video for “Homecoming Queen?” below.
LYRICS:
Hey homecoming queen
Why do you lie
When somebody’s mean
Where do you hide
Do people assume
You’re always alright
Been so good at smiling
Most of your life
Look damn good in the dress
Zipping up the mess
Dancing with your best foot forward
Does it get hard
To have to play the part
Nobody’s feeling sorry for ya
But what if I told you the world wouldn’t end
If you started showing what’s under your skin
What if you let em all in on the lie
Even the homecoming queen cries
Hey homecoming queen
How’s things at home
Still walking on eggshells
When that curtains closed
Did your daddy teach you
How to act tough
Or more like your momma
Sweep it under the rug
Look damn good in the dress
Zipping up the mess
Dancing with your best foot forward
Did you want the crown
Or does it weigh you down
Nobody’s feeling sorry for ya
What if I told you the world wouldn’t end
If you started showing what’s under your skin
What if you let em all in on the lie
Even the homecoming queen cries
Yeah what if I told you the sky wouldn’t fall
If you lost your composure, said to hell with it all
Not everything pretty sparkles and shines
And even the homecoming queen cries
Even the homecoming queen cries
Hey homecoming queen
Why do you lie
When somebody’s mean
Where do you hide
photo by Tammie Arroyo, AFF-USA.com