'Ring Finger' by Lainey Wilson – Lyrics & Meaning

Lainey Wilson has placated fans with a smattering of singles, such as ‘Country’s Cool Again’ and ‘Hang Tight Honey’, for long enough. Now, that her highly-anticipated Whirlwind is finally here, we're getting swept up in the album's 14 tracks, taking a closer look at and listen to the star's latest offerings.

While Whirlwind comes fitted with loved-up ballads and heartbroken hits, we all know that any country album worth its salt arrives with a cheating anthem or two on its track list. That's why the 'Watermelon Moonshine' hitmaker has provided us with 'Ring Finger', a screw-you epic about getting hurt and then getting even.

Sonically, 'Ring Finger' sounds like it comes from left field. Funked up and full of sass, the song is a swaggering spoken word, guitar-talking opus flush with synth-rock flourishes and a futuristic flair.

It's a tune tapped from the same well that sprung the attitude-fueled 'Grease' on 2022's Bell Bottom Country, but there's something punchier and more spirited about this particular arrangement.

We was two years in it was just about time
That the line got walked and the knot got tied
I was tired of giving up the milk for free
So I said boy you better get on one knee

'Ring Finger' is a smoldering story song, set mostly in a strutting spoken word, that opens with Wilson voicing a desire to get hitched. Apparently, she's tired of playing wife on a girlfriend's salary and is pushing for a promotion.

However, once her man does pop the question, it's not necessary smooth sailing from there. While she was out making preparation for their impending nuptials, "he was laying with the dog drinking day old beer." Translation: he was cheating.

Then he picked me up when the big day came
The courthouse was just about a mile away
I saw a long black hair on a short bench seat
I said that there hair don’t belong to me

When the big day comes and the alter calls, she finds another woman's hair on his bench seat, leading her to call off the wedding and kick his ass to the curb. In the end, she may not have a husband, but she wound up with something better...

I got the ring
He got the finger
Yeah I hit the road ‘fore we’s on Jerry Springer
Love is sweet but you know what’s sweeter
I got the ring
He got the finger

She then goes on a tear about town, hitting up the pawn shop, hitting up happy hour and hitting on the bar's bouncer. Hey, she's a free agent, now!

By the end of the song, she turns her heartache into an anthem for all the women who also took the ring and ran.

So this here’s songs for all the girls
Who had the balls to walk away from Earl
Bigger nuts than a redneck squirrel
Let me hear it if you know what I mean
Ya lost your man but ya took the bling bling

While nothing has been shared specifically about 'Ring Finger,' Wilson has been open about the fact that this new project has been a major source of solace and self-discovery over the last few years as she's seen her life completely change while her career has skyrocketed.

Weaving together the highs, lows and in-betweens that she's experienced along the way, her signature storytelling is front and center across the project, which she explains has been in the works essentially since the release of Bell Bottom Country in October of 2022.

“This album has been a long time coming, and I can’t wait for the world to have this body of work in their hands soon,” Wilson noted when announcing the highly-anticipated project. “This new chapter of music is the most cathartic and personal piece of art I’ve ever made. I hope this record brings some peace to your whirlwind and wraps its arms around you like it did for me.”

Expanding on these sentiments, the decorated entertainer also added: "Writing & recording these 14 songs over the past couple of years has helped me stay grounded in ways you’d never believe. This album brought me back to my roots and made me feel at home during times when I couldn’t have been further away and my biggest hope is that it gives you that same sense of comfort that it has for me."

Woo hoo
Woo hoo
Woo hoo

We was two years in it was just about time
That the line got walked and the knot got tied
I was tired of giving up the milk for free
So I said boy you better get on one knee

Well he popped the question and I took that rock
And I made me an appointment at the beauty shop
Gotta little white dress and a boutonniere
While he was laying with the dog drinking day old beer

Then he picked me up when the big day came
The courthouse was just about a mile away
I saw a long black hair on a short bench seat
I said that there hair don’t belong to me

I hollered tell me who
He said babe it ain’t like that
I said read between the lines
Kept the cash and left his ass

I got the ring
He got the finger
Yeah I hit the road ‘fore we’s on Jerry Springer
Love is sweet but you know what’s sweeter
I got the ring
He got the finger

Woo hoo

I had the windows down diamond in the wind
I had half a mind to call up his friend
I called my mama said cancel the shower
I’s mad as hell but it was happy hour

I hit up the pawn I hit up the bar
I hit on the bouncer and I took it far
Took it to the back took it to the front
And I took it wherever the hell I want

Wherever I want
Wherever I want

I got the ring
He got the finger
He got a cheating country song and buddy I’m the singer
Love is sweet but you know what’s sweeter
I got the ring
He got the finger

So this here’s songs for all the girls
Who had the balls to walk away from Earl
Bigger nuts than a redneck squirrel
Let me hear it if you know what I mean
Ya lost your man but ya took the bling bling

I got the ring
He got the finger
Yeah I hit the road ‘fore we’s on Jerry Springer
Love is sweet but you know what’s sweeter
I got the ring
He got the finger
I got the ring

He got the bird

--

For more on Lainey Wilson, see below: