It was 2013. If you turned on a country radio station back then, you couldn’t escape the sibling trio from Mississippi. They had the look. They had the harmonies. Most importantly, they had the momentum of "If I Die Young" still lingering in the air like a heavy humid morning. But when Kimberly, Reid, and Neil Perry dropped "Done," something shifted. It wasn't just another hit; it was a high-octane, foot-stomping, bridge-burning anthem that felt more like a rock arena warmup than a Grand Ole Opry set. Honestly, it was a warning shot.
"Done" by The Band Perry was the second single from their sophomore album, Pioneer. It reached Number 1 on the Country Airplay charts. It sold a ton of copies. On the surface, it was a massive success, but looking back with the benefit of hindsight, you can see the exact moment the band started pushing against the boundaries of the genre that birthed them. They were restless. You could hear it in the aggressive fiddle riffs and the way Kimberly spat out the lyrics.
People loved it, but the industry was starting to get a little nervous about where they were headed.
The Sonic Shift: More Than Just a Breakup Song
When you listen to "Done," the first thing that hits you isn't a steel guitar or a mandolin. It’s that aggressive, driving percussion. It’s loud. It’s in your face. Most country breakup songs at the time were either "he-done-me-wrong" ballads or sassy "before he cheats" narratives. "Done" was different. It felt visceral. It felt like a rock song disguised in a cowboy hat.
Produced by Dann Huff—a man known for his ability to bridge the gap between Nashville storytelling and Los Angeles production—the track pushed Kimberly’s vocals to a gritty limit. She wasn't just singing; she was testifying. "Mama always told me that I should play nice / She didn't know you when she gave me that advice." That line alone set the tone. It was a complete departure from the ethereal, soft-spoken girl who sang about satin pillows just a few years prior.
The Band Perry was essentially trying to out-rock the rockers. They were touring with Rascal Flatts and appearing on every major award show. They were the "it" group. But "Done" also showcased a certain level of defiance. It wasn't just about being done with a guy. It felt like they were getting done with the expectations of being "America’s Country Sweethearts."
Why the Fans Latched On
Fans are smart. They can smell a fake a mile away. The reason "Done" resonated so deeply wasn't just because it was catchy—it was because it felt authentic to the frustration of a toxic relationship. Everyone has had that "aha" moment where the light switch flips and you realize you're wasting your time.
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The songwriting credits for the track include both Reid and Neil Perry, alongside John Davidson and Jacob Bryant. This was important. It wasn't a "bought" song from a Nashville factory. It was internal. The brothers provided this wall of sound that felt massive during their live shows. If you saw them during the Pioneer world tour, you know exactly what I mean. The stage setup was dark, moody, and gothic-leaning.
- The song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in August 2013.
- It was certified Platinum by the RIAA, representing over one million units shifted.
- The music video, directed by Declan Whitebloom, leaned into a high-fashion, almost avant-garde aesthetic that was rare for country music at the time.
Basically, they were peak celebrities at this point. They were untouchable. Or so it seemed.
The "Pioneer" Era and the Identity Crisis
Pioneer as an album was a masterpiece of "Big Country." It was expansive. But it also put the band in a weird spot. They were too country for pop and starting to get too pop for country. "Done" was the peak of that tension.
Critics at the time, including those at Rolling Stone, noted that the band was moving into a space occupied by groups like Fleetwood Mac. That’s high praise. But in Nashville, being compared to a rock band is a double-edged sword. While it brings in the stadium crowds, it can alienate the traditionalists who control the radio dials.
I remember watching their CMT performances during this era. There was a frantic energy. Kimberly’s hair was bigger, the outfits were more "high fashion," and the music was louder. They were chasing a specific kind of greatness. But when you chase greatness by trying to be everything to everyone, you sometimes lose the thing that made you special in the first place.
The Aftermath: What Happened After "Done"?
This is where the story gets kind of messy. If "Done" was the peak of their country dominance, what followed was a series of choices that eventually led to them leaving the genre entirely.
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After Pioneer, the band began working on their third album, which was originally titled Heart+Beat. They released a single called "Live Forever." It was... bright. It was very pop. It was produced by RedOne (the guy who worked with Lady Gaga). Country radio didn't know what to do with it. It stalled. It didn't have the grit of "Done" or the soul of "If I Die Young."
Then came the label disputes. They parted ways with Big Machine Label Group. There were rumors of creative differences. They released "Stay in the Dark" and eventually the Coordinates EP, which was full-on electronic pop. The fans who had screamed the lyrics to "Done" in 2013 were confused.
They eventually pivoted to a darker, more experimental sound, and by 2023, the siblings announced a "sabbatical" to pursue solo projects. Kimberly Perry returned to her country roots with the Bloom EP and the single "If I Die Young Pt. 2," which was a direct nod to their beginnings.
The Legacy of a High-Water Mark
So, why does "Done" still matter? It matters because it represents the absolute ceiling of "Crossover Country" in the early 2010s. It was a perfectly executed piece of commercial art that managed to be aggressive without being unlistenable.
Most artists never get a Number 1 hit. The Band Perry had several. But "Done" stands out because it was the last time the trio felt like they were in total lockstep with the Nashville machine while still pushing the envelope. It was a moment of perfect friction.
If you go back and watch the music video today, you'll see a band that looks like they’re about to take over the world. The fashion is sharp. The editing is quick. The attitude is palpable. They weren't just a country band; they were a band.
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Lessons for Modern Artists
Looking at the trajectory of The Band Perry through the lens of this song offers a few insights for anyone in the creative space:
- Trust the Friction: The best parts of "Done" are the parts that shouldn't work in country music—the distorted riffs and the shouting vocals. Don't be afraid of the "wrong" sounds.
- Know Your Core: The band’s eventual pivot to pure pop was a shock to the system because "Done" had balanced the two worlds so well. When you remove one side of the scale, the whole thing can topple.
- Timing is Everything: In 2013, "Done" was revolutionary. By 2016, that sound was everywhere, but the band had already moved on to something else. Being ahead of the curve is great, but being too far ahead can leave your audience behind.
Practical Steps for Fans and Listeners
If you're looking to revisit this era or understand the band's impact better, here is how you should dive back in. Don't just shuffle a playlist. Do it with intention.
First, listen to "If I Die Young" followed immediately by "Done." The contrast is staggering. It shows the evolution of a band's confidence in just three years. One is a plea; the other is a demand.
Second, check out the live performance of "Done" from the 2013 ACM Awards. It’s arguably one of the best televised performances of that decade. The energy is infectious, and it proves that they weren't just "studio magic"—they could play.
Finally, keep an eye on Kimberly Perry’s solo work. She’s been very open in recent interviews about the "identity crisis" the band went through. Understanding the pressure they were under to follow up Pioneer makes "Done" feel even more like a triumph. It was the last moment they were truly the kings and queen of the mountain.
They might be on a sabbatical now, but the impact of that one aggressive, defiant track still echoes. It’s a masterclass in how to say "I'm finished" while being at the absolute top of your game.
Watch the old videos. Listen to the isolated vocal tracks if you can find them. You'll hear a singer who knew she had the world on a string, even if she was singing about cutting the cord. It’s rare to catch lightning in a bottle like that, and "Done" is the sound of the glass shattering.