I Quit Drinking

"I Quit Drinking" is a song by American singer Kelsea Ballerini and American pop band LANY. It was released on June 9, 2021, via Black River Entertainment and Warner Chappell Music. Ballerini co-wrote the song with Nicolle Galyon and Paul Jason Klein, while Jimmy Robbins and Noah Conrad produced it.^[2]

"I Quit Drinking"
Single by Kelsea Ballerini and LANY
Released	June 9, 2021 (2021-06-09)
Genre	Country pop[1]
Length	2:51
Label	Black River Warner Chappell Music
Songwriter(s)	Nicolle Galyon Kelsea Ballerini Paul Jason Klein
Producer(s)	Jimmy Robbins Noah Conrad
Kelsea Ballerini singles chronology
"Half of My Hometown" (2021) "I Quit Drinking" (2021) "Heartfirst" (2022)
LANY singles chronology
"Cowboy in LA" (2020) "I Quit Drinking" (2021) "Dancing in the Kitchen" (2021)
Music video
"I Quit Drinking" on YouTube

Background and content

Ballerini first performed the song with Paul Klein of pop group LANY at the 2021 CMT Music Awards. According to a press release, "I Quit Drinking" is a "break up anthem about quitting drinking" due to it "bring[ing] back too many memories of a past relationship".^[3] A press release by Black River Entertainment mentioned the song "describe[s] a couple whose relationship was centered around being the life of the party. When the giddy romance fizzles out, it seems, so does the appeal of the booze."^[4]

Critical reception

Rob Costa of Music Talkers praised the combination for doing "a great job painting a picture of reflection, relationships, sacrifice, and the reasons for getting sober. The work put into creating conversational lyrics has paid off here, making the lyrics a real highlight of the song."^[5]

Music video

The music video was released on June 15, 2021, and directed by Blythe Thomas. The video was filmed in "the hills of California".^[6] It shows Ballerini and Klein as "former lovers recalling happier times together" who can no longer "enjoy the taste of champagne, whiskey, or other alcoholic beverages now" due to it "remind[ing] them of their days as a couple".^[7] Finally they sing face-to-face in a rainstorm.^[8]

Commercial performance

"I Quit Drinking" debuted at number 30 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated June 26, 2021, after its release.^[9]

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "I Quit Drinking" Chart (2021) Peak position New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[10] 31 US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[11] 19 US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[12] 30

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "I Quit Drinking" Chart (2021) Position US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[13] 93

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[14]	Gold	500,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history for "I Quit Drinking"

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
Various	June 9, 2021	Digital download streaming	Black River Warner Chappell Music	[15]
United States	July 19, 2021	Adult contemporary radio	RED	[16]

References

1. Parton, Chris (June 10, 2021). "Kelsea Ballerini and LANY Team Up for 'I Quit Drinking'". Sounds like Nashville. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
2. Heidt, Dustin (June 9, 2021). "Kelsea Ballerini & LANY teamed up for surprise collaboration 'I Quit Drinking'". Variance. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
3. Smith, Lindsey (June 10, 2021). "Kelsea Ballerini And LANY Debut New Song 'I Quit Drinking' At CMT Awards". iHeartMedia. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
4. Liptak, Carena (June 10, 2021). ""I Quit Drinking": Kelsea Ballerini and LANY's new song looks at heartbreak with sober clarity". ABC Audio. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
5. Costa, Rob (June 22, 2021). "Review: I Quit Drinking- Kelsea Ballerini & Lany". Music Talkers. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
6. Houghton, Cillea (June 15, 2021). "Kelsea Ballerini and LANY sing in the rain in "I Quit Drinking" video". ABC Audio. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
7. Nicholson, Jessica (June 15, 2021). "Premiere: Kelsea Ballerini, LANY's Paul Klein Reveal Rain-Soaked "I Quit Drinking" Video". CMT. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
8. Parton, Chris (June 16, 2021). "Kelsea Ballerini and LANY Battle Love's Hangover in 'I Quit Drinking' Video". Sounds like Nashville. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
9. "Hot Country Songs: June 26, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
10. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. June 21, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
11. "Kelsea Ballerini Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
12. "Kelsea Ballerini Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
13. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2021". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
14. "American single certifications – Kelsea Ballerini – I Quit Drinking". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
15. "I Quit Drinking - Single by Kelsea Ballerini & LANY". Retrieved October 9, 2021 – via Apple Music.
16. "Future Releases for Hot/Modern/AC Radio Stations". All Access. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2021.