The trio originally formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2006 by Charles Kelley (lead and background vocals), Dave Haywood (background vocals, guitar, piano, mandolin) and Hillary Scott (lead and background vocals).
Scott is the daughter of country music singer Linda Davis, and Charles Kelley is the brother of pop artist Josh Kelley. It was these family connections and music industry ties that helped launch the band. Kelley moved to Nashville in mid-2005 from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he had been working construction with his brother John. Trying to become a successful solo country artist, Kelley convinced his old middle-school classmate, Haywood, to move to Nashville from Georgia in 2006 so they could write music together. Shortly thereafter, Scott recognized Kelley from MySpace, and they started to talk at a Nashville music club. Kelley later invited Scott to join him and Haywood in the new group, which assumed the name Lady Antebellum. The name Antebellum comes from when the group were photographing "antebellum" homes. The antebellum ('pre-war') architectural style describes the large plantation homes in the American South. While photographing the houses one of the group said that there's a great band name in there, and they adopted the Lady Antebellum name shortly after. The trio then began performing at local venues in Nashville before being signed in July 2007 to a recording contract with Capitol Records Nashville. In an interview with Sirius Satellite Radio, Scott claimed she was rejected from the hit show American Idol two times, not even making it past the first round.
Shortly after the trio signed to the label, adult contemporary artist Jim Brickman chose Lady Antebellum to sing on his 2007 single Never Alone, which reached #14 on the Billboard adult contemporary charts. In mid-2007, Lady Antebellum also wrote a song for the MTV reality television series The Hills.
Their solo debut single Love Don't Live Here was released in September of 2007, with a music video for the song following in December. This song was the lead-off single to the band's self-titled debut album. Released on April 15, 2008, Lady Antebellum was produced by Paul Worley and Victoria Shaw, a Nashville songwriter and former solo artist. Love Don't Live Here reached #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts. The album itself was the first album by a new duo or group to debut at Number One on the Billboard Top Country Albums charts.
A second single, Lookin' for a Good Time, was issued in June 2008 and peaked at #11 in December. In addition, Lady Antebellum was signed as an opening act on Martina McBride's "Waking Up Laughing Tour" in 2008. Lady Antebellum also contributed the song I Was Here to the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack, a song which peaked at #24 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 based on downloads. In December 2008, their rendition of Baby, It's Cold Outside peaked at #3 on the same chart. Their third official single, I Run to You, was released in January 2009. It eventually became the trio's first Number One in July 2009.
On October 7, 2009 their debut album was certified platinum by the RIAA for shipments of one million copies in the United States.
In August 2009, the group released their fourth single, Need You Now, the lead-off single and title track to their second studio album. It debuted at #50 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and became their second Number One hit on the charts for the week of November 28, 2009. The song also reached a peak of #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a number-one hit on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart, making it a crossover hit. A second single, American Honey, was released to radio on January 11, 2010 and would become their third #1 hit. Our Kind of Love was released as the third single from the album on May 31, 2010 and became a #1 single in September, 2010.
The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums charts for the week of Feb. 2, 2010, selling 480,922 copies in the first week. Four weeks after the album's release, it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The week of January 9, 2011, the group ventured into the studio to begin recording for their third studio album. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Kelley said, "We actually just went ahead and decided we’re gonna take two, two and a half months straight in the studio to create this thing and not have all this distraction. Hopefully that will be a good thing". He goes on to say that the group has around 50 songs which they plan to choose from along with songs from other songwriters. However, he singles out a song called Dancing Away With My Heart as one the band is particularly excited about, a song that the group co-wrote with Josh Kear, who previously wrote with the group on their hit Need You Now.
On May 2, 2011, the group released the first single from their upcoming album, titled Just a Kiss. The group performed the single on stage on American Idol's result show on May 5, 2011.
On June 11, 2020, amid the George Floyd protests, the band announced they would rename themselves "Lady A" in order to avoid racist connotations with Civil War history, as the original name was based on the Antebellum South. The band stated on social media that they were "deeply sorry for the hurt this has caused and for anyone who has felt unsafe, unseen or unvalued."
Long Teenage Goodbye
Lady Antebellum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
18 was just around the corner
And mamma made plans for a party by the pool side
I blew out the candles, smiling and laughing
Sister sneaking wine while the camera was flashing
You grabbed my hand right on time
You looked so cute with your tattoo and your blue jeans
And you said to me
Let's go flying
Take me anywhere the wind blows
No use crying, we're not thinking 'bout tomorrow
We drug out those summer nights
For a long teenage goodbye
Chasing fireworks flashing down the Carolina shore, yeah
Arms around me and you called me yours
That salty kiss made me forget about my sunburn
Snuck in barefoot through a hole the wall
Got to do some karaoke till they yell last call
Sing with the birds, every season has a turn, turn, turn
So let's go flying
Take me anywhere the wind blows
No use crying, we're not thinking 'bout tomorrow
We drug out those summer nights
For a long teenage goodbye
A chill in the air's just around the bend
You said we're never gonna get this time back again
Back again
So let's go flying
Take me anywhere the wind blows
No use crying, we're not thinking 'bout tomorrow
We drug out those summer nights
For a long teenage goodbye
For a long teenage goodbye
This song is about the bittersweet transition from adolescence to adulthood, and the idea of nostalgia for the fun and freedom of youth. The singer describes a summer party with family and friends, where she is turning 18 and feeling excited for the future. However, she meets someone there who makes her forget about the future and just enjoy the moment. He suggests they go "flying," which could be interpreted as anything from actual flying, to driving fast with the windows down, or simply being young and carefree. The two then spend the summer together, chasing fireworks on the beach, singing karaoke, and experiencing the joys of first love.
As the summer draws to a close and the weather gets colder, the singer realizes that this time of her life is coming to an end. She knows that she won't be able to relive these moments and experiences, so she cherishes them all the more. The title "Long Teenage Goodbye" refers to the idea that while adolescence seems to last forever, it eventually comes to an end, and the memories can last a lifetime.
Line by Line Meaning
It was the start of the summer and the days were getting hotter, yeah
The singer sets the stage by describing how the summer season is just commencing and the temperatures are rising.
18 was just around the corner
A milestone birthday is rapidly approaching.
And mamma made plans for a party by the pool side
The singer's mother is organizing a celebratory pool party for the upcoming birthday.
I blew out the candles, smiling and laughing
The birthday girl feels happy and content as she blows out her candles.
Sister sneaking wine while the camera was flashing
The artist's sibling is covertly drinking alcohol while the camera captures the moment.
You grabbed my hand right on time
At this moment, the significant other takes the singer's hand at the ideal moment to create a lasting memory.
You looked so cute with your tattoo and your blue jeans
The singer admires the significant other's appearance, noting their tattoo and denim outfit.
And you said to me
Let's go flying
Take me anywhere the wind blows
No use crying, we're not thinking 'bout tomorrow
We drug out those summer nights
For a long teenage goodbye
The significant other proposes an adventure-filled time without a care for the future, prolonging the youthful summer nights.
Chasing fireworks flashing down the Carolina shore, yeah
The couple runs after the colorful explosions along the seashore in Carolina.
Arms around me and you called me yours
The significant other embraces the artist while declaring them as their own.
That salty kiss made me forget about my sunburn
The kiss is so salty, it creates a fleeting diversion from the pain of the singer's sunburn.
Snuck in barefoot through a hole the wall
Got to do some karaoke till they yell last call
The couple sneaks into a place barefooted by going through a wall hole, where they get to sing karaoke until closing time is announced.
Sing with the birds, every season has a turn, turn, turn
The singer takes delight in singing along with the music and the ambiance of that moment.
A chill in the air's just around the bend
You said we're never gonna get this time back again
Back again
As the summer fades, a reminder is made that a moment like this may not happen again.
So let's go flying
Take me anywhere the wind blows
No use crying, we're not thinking 'bout tomorrow
We drug out those summer nights
For a long teenage goodbye
For a long teenage goodbye
The song concludes with the couple reveling in their romantic summer memories, acknowledging that it's a bittersweet farewell to their teenage years.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES KELLEY, DAVE HAYWOOD, HILLARY LINDSEY, HILLARY SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind