The 5 Rawest Secrets Hidden In Kelsea Ballerini's "the Way I Used To" Lyrics

As of December 15, 2025, Kelsea Ballerini's song "the way i used to" remains one of the most brutally honest and emotionally vulnerable tracks in modern Country-Pop, transcending the typical breakup anthem with its raw, late-night confession. This song, particularly the stripped-down version on the 2020 album *ballerini*, captures the universal feeling of post-breakup paranoia and the weakness that comes with a few too many drinks.

The true genius of "the way i used to" lies in its dual existence. It first appeared on the March 2020 album *kelsea* as a polished, pop-infused track, but it was the September 2020 re-imagining on the companion album *ballerini* that revealed the song's true, aching heart. This acoustic rendition transformed a catchy tune into a desperate, torch-song plea, making the lyrics hit with a new level of intimacy and topical authority.

Kelsea Ballerini: Biography and Career Profile

Kelsea Nicole Ballerini is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who has become one of the leading voices in the Country-Pop genre, known for her candid lyrics and ability to blend traditional country storytelling with modern pop production.

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• Full Name: Kelsea Nicole Ballerini
• Born: September 12, 1993
• Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee
• Genre: Country, Country-Pop
• Career Start: Began writing songs at age 13 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, at 15 to pursue music.
• Record Label: Black River Entertainment
• Key Albums: *The First Time* (2015), *Unapologetically* (2017), *kelsea* (2020), *ballerini* (2020), *Subject To Change* (2022), and the critically acclaimed EP *Rolling Up the Welcome Mat* (2023).
• Accolades: A multiple-time Grammy Award nominee and recipient of numerous ACM and CMA Awards, solidifying her status as a major contemporary artist.
• Notable Hits: "Peter Pan," "Dibs," "Love Me Like You Mean It," "Miss Me More," and "Half of My Hometown" (featuring Kenny Chesney).

Unpacking the Core Lyrical Confession: "Liquid Courage" and Late-Night Weakness

"the way i used to" is a masterclass in emotional vulnerability, a theme Kelsea Ballerini has consistently explored in her work, similar to the honesty found in her later project, *Rolling Up the Welcome Mat*. The song is structured as a moment of weakness, a Friday night when the narrator is alone, feeling "paranoid" and drinking.

The narrative is immediately relatable to anyone who has struggled to move on from a significant relationship. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the internal battle between knowing you should be over someone and the irresistible urge to reach out when your defenses are down.

The Key Lines of Post-Breakup Paranoia

The song’s core is built around a series of rhetorical questions, a desperate inquiry into the ex-lover’s new life. This is where the emotional weight is heaviest, as the narrator is not just missing the person, but missing the identity they had as the ex's beloved.

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The opening lines set the scene perfectly:

• "Friday night, I'm paranoid"
• "Faded out like polaroids"
• "Liquid courage in my veins right now"

This "liquid courage" is a key LSI entity, representing the alcohol-fueled lapse in judgment that leads to the central, agonizing question. It’s a stark admission that the call or thought wouldn't happen sober.

The chorus then delivers the ultimate punch, a raw comparison that drives the entire song's intention:

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The immediate correction—from "the way I do" to "the way I used to"—is a brilliant lyrical device. It acknowledges that the narrator has moved past the intensity of the relationship, but still holds the memory of being the best version of love for that person. It’s a moment of ego mixed with genuine pain, a perfect encapsulation of a complicated breakup.

The Ballerini Album Version: Why the Stripped-Down Sound Matters

To fully grasp the track's topical authority, one must understand the context of the *ballerini* album. Released just six months after the original *kelsea* album, *ballerini* (stylized in all lowercase) was a deliberate choice to re-record every song in a stripped-down, acoustic, or "unplugged" style.

The original version of "the way i used to" on *kelsea* was produced with a full Country-Pop sound, featuring collaborators like Julian Bunetta, Cass Lowe, Ian Kirkpatrick, and Marcus Lomax.

The *ballerini* version, however, removes the polished production, leaving only Kelsea’s voice and simple instrumentation. This transformation elevates the song's themes:

• Increased Intimacy: The stark production forces the listener to focus solely on the lyrics, making the "liquid courage" confession feel like a whispered secret rather than a radio single.
• Emotional Honesty: The rawness better reflects the late-night, vulnerable state of the narrator. The desperation in the vocal delivery is amplified without the heavy synth and drum tracks.
• Artistic Statement: By releasing the two versions, Kelsea Ballerini made a statement about the song’s duality—it can be a catchy track for the radio, but at its heart, it’s a deeply felt, emotional acoustic ballad. This move is a significant entity in her career timeline.

The Lasting Impact and Lyrical Entities

The song’s success lies in its use of common, yet powerful, lyrical entities that connect directly with the listener's experience.

Key Emotional and Lyrical Entities:

1. Paranoia: The feeling that the ex is better off, or that the narrator is being watched or judged.
2. Polaroids: A nostalgic, faded image of the past, suggesting the memory of the relationship is losing its clarity and definition.
3. Liquid Courage: The classic trope of alcohol lowering emotional barriers to make a bad decision.
4. The Idea Tonight: The final, self-aware line in the chorus, "Or am I drunk on the idea tonight?" This shows the narrator knows the feeling is temporary and fueled by the moment, not necessarily genuine, long-term desire.

By blending these specific, relatable elements with a stripped-down musical arrangement, "the way i used to" secures its place as a standout track in Kelsea Ballerini’s discography, showcasing her evolution from a rising Country-Pop star to a mature, emotionally complex songwriter. The song stands as a powerful testament to the messy, non-linear process of healing after a major breakup.