INTERVIEW: Paige Rutledge Says “The Worst Thing” Is When They Don’t Give You a Reason to Move on with New Single

Kyla Pearson

After a prolific year of live performances across Ontario and songwriting with fellow artists in Nashville, Paige Rutledge is closing the year with her new single, “The Worst Thing”. As she shares, 

“There’s just something special with this song”. She goes on to add, “My parents are some of my toughest critics, but always honest. After I sent them the track and they told me that they loved it, that was all the confirmation I needed to put the song out into the world” (Rutledge).

Featured: Official cover art for Paige Rutledge’s pop-country ballad, “The Worst Thing”. Credit: @ashlyneeeeeee.

“The Worst Thing” is a pop-country ballad with melancholic lyrics. Written a year ago with Lydia Sutherland and Rich Cloke, the song highlights the difficulties of moving on from a genuinely good person– It’s much easier to fall out of love when they give you a reason to paint them as a villain in your story. The pop-country artist & songwriter goes on to illustrate all the reasons that would help her put the relationship behind her and her desire to not run into her ex or stay in touch.

As for the track’s production and sound, it was produced and mixed by Matt Koebel. She adds, “Even my slower songs are more sad, with very sad parts. But the production is still very pop-country” (Rutledge). The song has an instrumental arrangement consisting of the hooky/acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums, piano and synthesizer. None are overpowering and still leave the centre stage to Rutledge’s euphonious voice. Overall, the sound of the track matches the tone of the lyrics while still being upbeat.

In addition, you can hear the thematic and influences from Lauren Waktins’ latest EP, Introducing: The Heartbreak–As both skilled women in country music in their own right sing of heartbreak & moving on over bright instrumentals.

According to Rutledge, the ideal setting to listen to the song is, “In your car, in the shower or wherever you go to get over a breakup. ‘The Worst Thing’ is a breakup anthem.” (Rutledge). 

Upon reflecting on her previous single, “Drinking Alone” and how it compares to “The Worst Thing”, she shares, “I think this single truly demonstrates my growth since my last release and sets the stage for what’s to come” (Rutledge). Stay tuned, as “The Worst Thing” is only the first glimpse at a bigger project set for release in early 2024.

Listen to “The Worst Thing” Now:

Stay up to Date with Paige Rutledge:

https://linktr.ee/paigerutledge

Works Cited

Rutledge, Paige. Interview. Conducted by Kyla Pearson, Nov 2023.

Ashlyne. “Featured: Official cover art for Paige Rutledge’s pop-country ballad, “The Worst Thing”. Credit: @ashlyneeeeeee”. Photo courtesy of Paige Rutledge. Accessed Nov 2023.

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