Elle King shares that she feels like “the best version of myself now” following her spirited tribute to Dolly Parton, which took place during a night of heavy drinking.
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The country artist launched her latest single, “High Road,” on Friday, September 20.
Elle King is embracing a positive outlook with her new single, “High Road,” released on Friday, September 20. This melancholic country ballad, inspired by Willie Nelson, carries a playful tone.
Reflecting on the song’s inspiration, King, 35, shared that whenever challenges arose, her manager would remind her of their mantra: “High Road 2024,” encouraging her to rise above difficult situations. “It became a phrase we leaned on,” she explained.
King began crafting “High Road” in the shower and later completed it with her friend and bassist Paul DeVincenzo. They’ve performed it live at various shows since last year.
“We often do this: I’ll write a song, we’ll perform it on tour, and usually, it doesn’t end up on the album,” says King, who is finalizing her upcoming album, a sequel to 2023’s Come Get Your Wife. “Recently, I’ve been writing songs that tell stories—funny ones—with a classic country vibe, which is my favorite style. It’s inspired by the music I love. A lot of the album reflects my favorite aspects of country music, combining humorous storytelling with genuine emotion that makes you laugh or feel something.”
King also shares, “We’ve been fortunate to open for Willie Nelson a few times, and I’ve had the chance to sing with him. I’m not trying to create a Willie Nelson album, but his music and the essence of ’70s country have deeply influenced my storytelling and my sound.”
Through it all, King has found comfort in her music as she navigates personal challenges publicly.
“This song has really supported me throughout this year,” King says of “High Road,” acknowledging that it hasn’t been an easy time for her.
The “Ex’s & Oh’s” singer faced criticism after a drunken performance at a Dolly Parton birthday tribute concert at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville back in January. “It’s tough when something you did goes viral for the wrong reasons,” she reflects on the incident, which occurred during a particularly painful period in her life. “I honestly thought no one would want to see me perform again. But they do.”
As she embarks on her Baby Daddy’s Weekend tour, King shares that she has spent the year healing and feels like “the best version of myself now.”
“I was really scared to have a drink before going on stage again because I value the fans who buy tickets to my shows. I didn’t want to let them down,” she explains. “I did disappoint people, and ultimately, I let myself down that day. I never want to feel that way again. I’m in a much better place now, and I’m excited to put on a great show thanks to the changes I’ve made in my life.”
Since the incident, King’s family—her partner Daniel Tooker and their 3-year-old son Lucky—has been her rock.
“I’m focusing on actions that make me proud,” she shares. “I have a young son who will learn about all of this one day. I want him to see that I aimed to be the best version of myself, using these experiences to grow and improve. It’s more about a love story with myself than anything else.”