‘The Voice’ Star Kelsea Ballerini’s Career Trajectory in 5 Songs

Kelsea Ballerini has steadily been making a play for the country crown. Though there is stiff competition in her generation of artists, she is a clear standout. From the early, anonymous days of her career to full-blown stardom, chart a course through Ballerini’s career with us, below.

[RELATED: ‘The Voice’ Star Kelsea Ballerini Is No Longer Crying Herself to Sleep: From Losing Awards to Not Being Country Enough]

“Love Me Like You Mean It”

Ballerini’s debut single was “Love Me Like You Mean It.” Compared to the rest of her catalog, this track is charmingly blithe. Ballerini asks her crush to be full-throttle when it comes to their relationship. She’s not here for anything half-baked. It remains a Ballerini career staple and a welcomed addition to any summer-time country playlist.

If you’re gonna hold me, hold me like I’m leavin’
If you’re gonna kiss me, kiss me like you need it
Baby, if you’re not, you best get to leavin’
If you’re gonna love me, love me like you mean it

“Peter Pan”

Moving forward a bit in Ballerini’s career, we have “Peter Pan.” This song is markedly more somber than “Love Me Like You Mean It.” Ballerini finds herself in a relationship gone awry thanks to a man who can’t commit. He’s immature and refuses to grow up–much like this song’s namesake character. Ballerini began to delve into more mature topics here, pushing her one step closer to the artist she is now.

Always gonna fly away, just because you know you can
You’re never gonna learn there’s no such place as a Neverland
You don’t understand
You’ll never grow up
You’re never gonna be a man
Peter Pan

“Half of My Hometown” (feat. Kenny Chesney)

Kelsea Ballerini snagged a major feature on “Half of My Hometown.” This collaboration with Kenny Chesney helped to legitimize Ballerini’s career and her unique brand of country. She sings about a familiar topic in country music, hometown pride, but it’s as fresh as ever delivered by Ballerini’s powerful vocals. This song gave Ballerini some name recognition, something all certified country stars need.

Half of my hometown’s still hangin’ around
Still talkin’ about that one touchdown
They’re still wearin’ red and black
“Go Bobcats” while the other half
Of my hometown, they all got out
Some went north, some went south
Still lookin’ for a feelin’ half of us ain’t found
So stay or leave, part of me will always be
Half of my hometown

“Mountain With A View”

Ballerini fully stepped into her own with Rolling Up the Welcome Mat. She shed any light-heartedness in favor of deep candor. One track from that record, “Mountain With A View”, proved to be one of the most emotionally affective of Ballerini’s career. She sings about the downfall of her marriage in this track. Though not everyone will know that feeling, Kelsea Ballerini elucidates it well enough to inspire endless amounts of empathy.

I’m wearin’ the ring still, but I think I’m lyin’
Sometimes you forget yours, I think we’re done tryin’
I realize you loved me much more at twenty-three
I think that this is when it’s over for me, mm, mm

“Patterns”

Lastly on our course through Ballerini’s career, we have “Patterns.” The title track from her latest record, “Patterns” is the culmination of Ballerini coming into her own. While Rolling Up the Welcome Mat started to introduce another side of Ballerini, this album cemented her newfound artistry. The title track is an apt opening for this album and, moreover, this era of Ballerini’s career.

Ooh, it’s in my generations
It’s in my constellations
Moon and Saturn
Ooh, they’re rollin’ through my bloodstream
I’m coming apart at the seams
I got patterns

(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)