You know the song. It starts with that stomping, swampy beat and a voice that sounds like it’s been curing in a smokehouse for a decade. It’s gritty, it’s catchy, and it’s arguably one of the most recognizable radio staples of the 2010s. But if you’ve ever found yourself humming along while wondering, "Wait, who actually sings this?" you aren't alone.
The artist behind the smash hit Ex’s & Oh’s is Elle King.
She isn't just some studio-manufactured pop star who appeared out of thin air. Honestly, her story is way more interesting than the average "one-hit wonder" narrative people try to pin on her. From her Hollywood roots to her total pivot into country music, there is a lot to unpack about the woman who turned her messy dating life into a multi-platinum anthem.
The Face and Voice Behind the Hit
Elle King—born Tanner Elle Schneider—is the daughter of comedian Rob Schneider and former model London King. Yeah, that Rob Schneider.
But here is the thing: she didn't want to ride his coattails. Not even a little bit. She actually dropped her famous last name early on because she wanted the music to stand on its own. She’s gone on record saying she wanted to be her own person. It worked. Most people didn't even realize the "Deuce Bigalow" guy was her dad until she was already topping the Billboard charts.
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King’s voice is what really did the heavy lifting. It’s got this raspy, bluesy edge that reminds you of Amy Winehouse or Etta James, but with a banjo strapped to her back.
Ex’s & Oh’s was the lead single from her 2015 debut album, Love Stuff. It wasn't an overnight success, though. The song actually came out in late 2014 and took its sweet time climbing the charts. When it finally hit, it hit hard, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning her two Grammy nominations.
What Is Ex's & Oh's Actually About?
Is it about a game of Tic-Tac-Toe? No.
Basically, the song is a laundry list of King’s real-life former flings. She wrote it with producer Dave Bassett in about 45 minutes. In interviews, she’s been pretty blunt about the fact that she was a bit of a "heartbreaker" back then. The lyrics describe men who just won't let go—guys from California to the UK who keep "ghosting" back into her life.
"I had me a boy, turned him into a man / I showed him all the things that he didn't understand."
It’s a power flip. Usually, we hear songs about guys bragging about their conquests. King took that trope, dipped it in bourbon and rock-and-roll grit, and claimed it for herself. She literally "chews them up and spits them out."
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Why It Sounded So Different
In 2015, the radio was dominated by clean, polished synth-pop. Then comes this track with:
- A swinging "stomp-and-clap" rhythm.
- Distorted, fuzzy guitar riffs.
- A legit banjo solo (King is a killer banjo player, by the way).
- Lyrics that felt raw and unapologetic.
It was a "crossover" hit before people were really using that term every five seconds. It sat on the Alternative, Rock, and Pop charts simultaneously. Very few artists can pull that off without sounding like they’re trying too hard.
Where Is Elle King Now?
If you haven't followed her since 2016, you might think she disappeared.
She didn't. She just moved to Nashville.
Elle King has undergone a massive genre shift. While Ex’s & Oh’s was definitely "Alternative Rock," she has basically become a country star in the last few years. Her 2021 duet with Miranda Lambert, "Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)," was a massive #1 country hit. It made her the first female artist in history to have #1 singles on four different radio formats: Adult Pop, Adult Alternative, Alternative, and Country Airplay.
Her 2023 album, Come Get Your Wife, fully embraced those roots. She’s traded the leather jackets for fringe, but that raspy, "I’ve seen some things" vocal remains exactly the same.
The Controversy You Might Have Heard About
Being an "expert" on Elle King means acknowledging the bumps in the road. In early 2024, she made headlines for a pretty disastrous performance at a Dolly Parton tribute at the Grand Ole Opry. She was admittedly intoxicated, forgot the lyrics, and got into it with the crowd.
It was messy. She took a break afterward, talked openly about her struggles with postpartum depression and the pressures of touring, and has since been working on her comeback. It’s that kind of "warts and all" honesty that her fans actually love, even when it gets uncomfortable.
Actionable Takeaways for Music Lovers
If you only know her for that one song, you’re missing out on a pretty deep catalog of blues and soul.
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- Listen to the deep cuts: Check out "Where the Devil Don't Go" for more of that dark, swampy vibe.
- Watch her live sessions: Search for her "Last.fm" or "Live at the Bluebird" sessions. Her banjo skills are actually insane.
- Follow the evolution: If you like the grit of Ex's & Oh's but want something more mature, her album Shake the Spirit is where she deals with her divorce and personal demons in a really heavy, soulful way.
Elle King proved that you can have a famous dad, play a "hillbilly" instrument, and still dominate the global pop charts just by being loud and a little bit troublesome. Ex's & Oh's remains the blueprint for the modern "bad girl" anthem, and honestly, it still slaps just as hard today as it did a decade ago.
To dive deeper into her current sound, start by listening to her collaboration with Dierks Bentley, "Different for Girls," which shows the softer side of that raspy voice. From there, you can track her journey from New York busker to Nashville heavyweight.