Nashville-based singer/songwriter Whissell combines various genre inspirati… Read Full Bio ↴Nashville-based singer/songwriter Whissell combines various genre inspirations and a husky, bluesy voice to create an alt-pop amalgam that sounds like P!nk, Bishop Briggs, and Dua Lipa. Born Lauren Whistle, she grew up in a constant state of flux, moving around the United States and absorbing a wide variety of music styles like rock, pop, blues, soul, and country. A young fan of Elvis Presley, she also counts Bill Withers, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Al Green as major influences.

While in college, she decided to pursue music. She moved to Nashville, where she connected with her manager through her roommate. Her first single, "Get Free," arrived in 2015. She followed with "Mine" and a series of singles that would eventually appear on her debut EP, Old Souls, Young Bodies. That collection arrived in early 2017 and included "Quicksand" and "Pain of Love." Later that year, she issued singles like "Living Now" and "Legs Crossed."

Ready or Not
Whissell Lyrics

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Stopped off at a red light
By Southern and Maine
Saw a man smiling and dancing and laughing
In the pouring rain

What am I missing?
I wanna feel that way
'Cause I ain't even smiling and dancing and laughing

On sunny days

My heart may be
But there's no sound
Do I sit back
Or turn around
All I know
I don't wanna be here right now

I wanna be free
I wanna be careless
I wanna look in the mirror
And know that I'll be okay
I wanna be loved
But don't wanna be lugged down
Don't wanna look back in three years
And know I didn't take my shot
I got my hand on the trigger
Let it go now

Our break
I'm gonna wash it off
'Cause I held that shit on my shoulders
For seventeen months too long

Oh, and this hometown
Safe as it may be
Momma, I'm not in a hurry
So don't you go worry 'bout me

My heart may be
But there's no sound
Do I sit back
Or turn around
All I know
I don't wanna be here right now

I wanna be free
I wanna be careless
I wanna look in the mirror
And know that I'll be okay
I wanna be loved
But don't wanna be lugged down
Don't wanna look back in three years
And know I didn't take my shot
I got my hand on the trigger
Let it go now

I got my hand on the trigger
Let it go now
Come on

I wanna be free
I wanna be careless
I wanna look in the mirror
And know that I'll be okay
I wanna be loved
But don't wanna be lugged down
Don't wanna look back in three years
And know I didn't take my shot
So I got my hand on the trigger
Let it go now

I've got my hand on the trigger
Let it go now

Overall Meaning

In the song "Ready or Not," Whissell shares her feelings about wanting to be free and take chances in life. She starts the first verse by describing her present mundane state, where she is stuck in traffic and sees a man dancing and smiling in the rain. She wonders why she can't feel the same way and aims to change that by releasing her inhibitions. The chorus emphasizes this by stating that she wants to be free, loved, and know that she will be okay despite the risks she takes.

Whissell sees that her heart is not expressing any emotions and questions whether she should stay put or make a move. She knows that she does not want to be in her current situation, and that leads to her desire to change her life. She wants to let go of her break, the things that are holding her back, and take life head-on.

The song "Ready or Not" embodies the courage to take risks, the desire to break free, and the willingness to be happy. It inspires listeners to take control of their lives and pursue their dreams without fear.

Line by Line Meaning

Stopped off at a red light By Southern and Maine Saw a man smiling and dancing and laughing In the pouring rain
I saw a man dancing and laughing in the rain at an intersection near Southern and Maine.

What am I missing? I wanna feel that way 'Cause I ain't even smiling and dancing and laughing On sunny days
I want to feel the joy and freedom of the man in the rain, but I don't even feel that way on sunny days.

My heart may be But there's no sound Do I sit back Or turn around All I know I don't wanna be here right now
My heart is telling me something, but I'm not sure what. I'm considering whether to keep going or change direction. I know I don't want to be here right now.

I wanna be free I wanna be careless I wanna look in the mirror And know that I'll be okay I wanna be loved But don't wanna be lugged down Don't wanna look back in three years And know I didn't take my shot I got my hand on the trigger Let it go now
I want to be free and not bound by anything. I want to have confidence and know that I'll be okay. I want love but don't want anything that will hold me back. I don't want to look back in three years and regret not taking my chances. I'm ready to take action and make things happen.

Our break I'm gonna wash it off 'Cause I held that shit on my shoulders For seventeen months too long
I'm going to take a break and let go of some emotional baggage that I've been carrying for too long.

Oh, and this hometown Safe as it may be Momma, I'm not in a hurry So don't you go worry 'bout me
Although my hometown is safe, I'm not in a hurry to stay here. My mother doesn't need to worry about me.

I got my hand on the trigger Let it go now Come on
I'm ready to take action and make a change now.

I've got my hand on the trigger Let it go now
I'm ready to take action and let go of the past.

Contributed by Anthony P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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