On this day in 2014, Little Big Town released one of their many standout hits, “Girl Crush.” Penned by Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey, and Liz Rose, the group released the song as the second single from their sixth studio album, Pain Killer.
In 2015, after reaching No. 1 on the “Billboard Hot Country Songs” chart, it quickly became one of the most popular songs on the airwaves. It also spent 13 weeks in the country chart’s top position, racking up millions of streams on Spotify. At the 2015 CMA Awards, the record won “Song of the Year” and “Single of the Year.” The song’s music video was also nominated.
The song’s momentous success wouldn’t slow down when it picked up the awards for “Best Country Song” and “Best Country Duo/Group Performance” at the 2016 Grammys. Even Little Big Town’s colleagues couldn’t help but crush on the song. Stars such as Miranda Lambert and Harry Styles have covered the tune.
Little Big Town Keeps Fans Guessing with “Girl Crush”
The world’s obsession with the song comes with good reason. It’s catchy as well as beautifully haunting. It also touches on themes many people know all too well: a desire to be with the one you love, even though you know it will never work out.
While many listeners assume the song reflects a female narrator’s desire to be with a woman, it’s actually about a desire to be the other woman so she can be with the man she loves.
I want her long blond hair
I want her magic touch
Yeah, ’cause maybe then
You’d want me just as much
Considering the track’s title is “Girl Crush,” this can be somewhat misleading, which the band seems to enjoy. In an interview with Rolling Stone, when asked about the lyrics, Karen Fairchild said, “There are not many women on the radio and not many ballads with that kind of lyrical content.”
Before Little Big Town touched on the subject of sexuality, Kacey Musgraves released her 2013 hit, “Follow Your Arrow.” Speaking on LBGT issues, the singer encourages the listener to be happy with who they are and do what makes them happy. “Kiss lots of boys, or kiss lots of girls if that’s something you’re into,” Musgraves sings.
