Table of Contents >> Show >> Hide
- What “Featuring Elle King” Means Here
- How These Picks Were Chosen
- Lead-Artist Essentials (Elle King as the Main Character)
- Best Collaborations & Features (Elle King as the Secret Weapon)
- 6) “Different for Girls” Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
- 7) “Without You” Thomas Wesley (Diplo) feat. Elle King
- 8) “Let’s Ride Away” Avicii feat. Elle King
- 9) “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” Miranda Lambert feat. Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack
- 10) “The Upside” Lindsey Stirling feat. Elle King
- 11) “Who Am I” NEEDTOBREATHE feat. Elle King
- 12) “Two Shots” Wanda Jackson feat. Elle King & Joan Jett
- 13) “Not Easy” Alex Da Kid feat. X Ambassadors, Elle King & Wiz Khalifa
- 14) “Dear Alcohol (Remix)” Dax feat. Elle King
- Mini-FAQ: Common Questions About Elle King Features
- Conclusion: The Elle King Effect
- Bonus: Listener Experiences to Make This Playlist Hit Harder (About )
If you’ve ever heard a voice that sounds like it’s been baptized in rock ‘n’ roll, raised on country storytelling,
and then dared to show up to pop radio wearing combat bootsyeah, that’s Elle King energy. She’s the rare vocalist
who can turn a clever one-liner into a gut-punch, then pivot and make a duet feel like a barroom singalong (minus
the sticky floor).
This list rounds up the best songs featuring Elle King, including the tracks where she’s the main event
and the collaborations where her guest vocals steal the spotlight. The goal isn’t to crown one “winner” forever;
it’s to build a playlist that shows why Elle King has become a go-to collaborator across rock, country, pop, and even EDM.
What “Featuring Elle King” Means Here
Some playlists use “featuring” literallyonly songs where her name appears after “feat.” This one is a little more practical:
if Elle King’s voice is a meaningful part of the track (lead, co-lead, duet, or high-impact guest vocals), it counts.
That way, you get the full spectrum: radio hits, award-winning collaborations, and sleeper tracks that deserve way more love.
How These Picks Were Chosen
- Impact: Chart performance, cultural footprint, and “wait…that’s HER?” recognition.
- Vocal moment: Songs where her tone, phrasing, or attitude noticeably elevates the track.
- Range: Country duets, rock bangers, pop-leaning collabs, and genre left-turns.
- Replay value: If it gets better on the third listen, it scores extra points.
Lead-Artist Essentials (Elle King as the Main Character)
Before we jump into duets and guest spots, you need a baseline. These are the tracks that explain why other artists
want Elle King on speed dial.
1) “Ex’s & Oh’s” Elle King
This is the breakout that introduced Elle King to the masses: swaggering, hooky, and powered by a vocal that sounds like
it could light a match on sandpaper. The magic is in the contrastplayful on the surface, confident to the point of danger
underneath. It’s also a masterclass in modern rock-pop songwriting: punchy structure, huge chorus, and no wasted seconds.
Why it belongs: If someone asks, “What does Elle King sound like?” this is the fastest, loudest answer.
2) “America’s Sweetheart” Elle King
The title is a wink, the attitude is a smirk, and the delivery is pure Elle: daring you to keep up. Where “Ex’s & Oh’s”
is flirtation with sharp edges, “America’s Sweetheart” is self-definitionmessy, loud, and totally unbothered by anyone’s
expectations. It’s the kind of song that makes you stand a little taller, even if you’re just walking to the fridge.
Perfect for: Any moment you need confidence on demand.
3) “Shame” Elle King
“Shame” shows the side of Elle King that hits different: raw, vulnerable, and emotionally direct without getting melodramatic.
The songwriting leans into discomfort (in a good way), and her voice carries that cracked honesty that can’t be faked.
If you only know the big, bold singles, this is where you hear her depth.
Why it belongs: It proves she’s not just attitudeshe’s craft.
4) “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)” Elle King & Miranda Lambert
Yes, it’s rowdy. Yes, it’s catchy. And yes, it’s smarter than it first appears: the song is built like a modern party anthem
but performed with the kind of personality that keeps it from feeling disposable. Elle and Miranda trade lines like two friends
daring each other to stay out one more hourbig hook, big energy, and a chorus designed for arenas.
Why it belongs: It’s a career-defining country crossover moment and a reminder that charisma is an instrument.
(Also: it made serious chart history on country radio.)
5) “Worth a Shot” Elle King feat. Dierks Bentley
Think of this as the mature cousin of a classic “let’s take a chance” duet: playful, flirty, and built around the chemistry
between two artists who know exactly how to share a track without stepping on each other’s boots. Elle’s delivery adds grit
and mischievous warmth, balancing the polished country-radio shine with a little rock ‘n’ roll bite.
Perfect for: Road trips, late-night playlists, or anyone who likes their country with a wink.
Best Collaborations & Features (Elle King as the Secret Weapon)
Now for the fun part: songs where Elle King shows up, changes the temperature of the room, and leaves everyone else
trying to match her energy.
6) “Different for Girls” Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
This duet works because it’s not just “two voices on one chorus.” It’s two perspectives, stitched together with a storyline
that feels real: heartbreak, pride, coping, and the stuff people say they’re fine about (when they’re not). Elle’s voice adds
the perfect contrastequal parts tenderness and steelso the song lands as a conversation, not a performance.
Why it belongs: It’s one of the most impactful country duets of the 2010s, and it helped cement Elle as a country collaborator.
7) “Without You” Thomas Wesley (Diplo) feat. Elle King
Diplo’s country-minded Thomas Wesley era is all about genre-blending, and “Without You” is a surprisingly natural fit for Elle King.
Banjo-forward textures meet airy pop instincts, and Elle brings the emotional weightmaking the track feel heartfelt instead of gimmicky.
It’s proof she can slide into different production worlds without losing her identity.
Listen for: How her vocal keeps the song grounded while the production floats around her.
8) “Let’s Ride Away” Avicii feat. Elle King
This one is fascinating: Avicii’s melodic EDM sensibility paired with Elle King’s distinctly American roots-rock grit.
The result feels like a sunset drive with the windows downbig, bright, and built for wide-open spaces. Her vocal gives
the track a human edge that makes the emotion feel immediate, not just cinematic.
Why it belongs: It’s a rare cross-genre collaboration that feels respectful to both artists’ strengths.
9) “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” Miranda Lambert feat. Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack
A supergroup cover can be a mess. This one isn’t. The lineup brings distinct textures, and Elle King’s contribution stands out
because she doesn’t try to sound “prettier” than she isshe sounds more like herself. That authenticity is the whole point:
classic song, modern voices, and a performance that feels like a tour-bus singalong that accidentally became award-worthy.
Perfect for: Anyone who loves powerhouse vocalists trading moments without turning it into a competition.
10) “The Upside” Lindsey Stirling feat. Elle King
Lindsey Stirling’s production is theatrical in the best waydramatic builds, big melodic arcs, and a sense of motion.
Elle King brings the grounding: a vocal that’s earthy, present, and emotionally direct. The contrast is what makes it pop.
It’s like pairing a fireworks show with a bonfire: both bright, both warm, and surprisingly compatible.
Why it belongs: It’s a reminder that Elle’s voice works even when the genre does a complete costume change.
11) “Who Am I” NEEDTOBREATHE feat. Elle King
NEEDTOBREATHE thrives on soulful rock energy, and Elle King fits that lane like it was built for her. The song’s reflective tone
gives her space to show nuanceless swagger, more sinceritywhile still keeping that signature rasp that makes every line feel lived-in.
If you like the emotional side of Elle’s catalog, this feature is a must.
Listen for: The way her voice blends with the band’s warm, rootsy texture.
12) “Two Shots” Wanda Jackson feat. Elle King & Joan Jett
This is basically a rock ‘n’ roll history lesson with amplifiers. Wanda Jackson is a pioneer; Joan Jett is a legend; and Elle King is the
modern torchbearer who can hang with both. The song is loud, bold, and unapologeticexactly the kind of environment where Elle’s vocal
grit turns into a superpower.
Why it belongs: It places Elle King in a lineage, not just a playlist.
13) “Not Easy” Alex Da Kid feat. X Ambassadors, Elle King & Wiz Khalifa
This track is a genre blender: alt-pop rock energy, hip-hop presence, and a vocal color palette that benefits from Elle’s distinctive tone.
In a lineup like this, the risk is that everyone sounds like they’re competing for space. Elle avoids that by sounding unmistakably Elle
giving the track a shot of personality right when it needs it.
Perfect for: A playlist that jumps styles but still wants emotional intensity.
14) “Dear Alcohol (Remix)” Dax feat. Elle King
This is one of those collaborations where a feature changes the emotional framing of the song. Elle King’s voice adds a rootsy sincerity
that makes the remix feel less like a repackage and more like a new perspective. It’s reflective without being preachyfocused on feelings,
consequences, and honesty.
Why it belongs: It highlights Elle’s ability to bring empathy into a track, not just attitude.
Mini-FAQ: Common Questions About Elle King Features
Is Elle King rock, country, or pop?
All of the above. Her foundation is rock and bluesy pop, but her songwriting and vocal phrasing translate naturally into country,
especially in duets that lean on storytelling. That flexibility is exactly why her collaborations work across genres.
What’s the best starting point if I’m new to her music?
Start with “Ex’s & Oh’s,” then jump to “Different for Girls,” and follow it with “Without You” (Diplo) to hear how her voice adapts.
After that, “Shame” shows depth, and “Let’s Ride Away” shows range.
Why do duets with Elle King feel so memorable?
Because she doesn’t “guest star” politely. She commits. Whether she’s singing soft or loud, she sounds like she means itso the collaboration
feels like a real conversation instead of a marketing checkbox.
Conclusion: The Elle King Effect
The best songs featuring Elle King have one thing in common: once her voice enters the mix, the track suddenly has a main character.
Sometimes that character is confident and chaotic, sometimes bruised and honest, sometimes playful and fearlessbut it’s always specific.
If you want a playlist that moves between rock grit, country storytelling, and left-field collaborations without losing the thread,
Elle King is basically your cheat code.
Bonus: Listener Experiences to Make This Playlist Hit Harder (About )
Here’s a fun truth about Elle King songs: they don’t just play in the backgroundthey tend to happen to you. The experience changes
depending on where you are, what you’re doing, and what kind of mood you brought to the first verse. If you want to feel the full range of
this playlist, try listening in “chapters” instead of shuffling everything at once.
Chapter 1: The Confidence Reset. Start with “America’s Sweetheart” and “Ex’s & Oh’s.” These are the tracks that make ordinary
errands feel like a montage. Suddenly you’re not just walkingyou’re striding. You’re not just cleaningyou’re staging a comeback tour in your
living room. The best part is how her voice sells the attitude without sounding fake. It’s not “look at me, I’m perfect.” It’s more like,
“I’m complicated, and I’m still showing up.”
Chapter 2: The Storytime Switch. Then move into “Different for Girls” and “Who Am I.” The listening experience here is quieter,
more reflective. These songs tend to make people pausenot because they’re slow, but because they’re precise. If you’ve ever replayed a line
in your head after a conversation (the one you wish you’d said differently), you’ll recognize the emotional territory. Elle King’s features
work especially well here because she doesn’t over-sing. She underlines the feeling and lets the listener fill in the rest.
Chapter 3: The Genre Road Trip. Now jump to “Without You” (Diplo) and “Let’s Ride Away” (Avicii). This is where the experience gets
cinematic. Even if you’re not moving, these tracks feel like motionopen road, late sun, big sky energy. What’s cool is hearing Elle’s voice
stay grounded while the production gets glossy or expansive. It’s like watching someone wear a totally new outfit and still look unmistakably
like themselves. (That’s the power of a truly recognizable vocal.)
Chapter 4: The Group Hang. Finish with “Fooled Around and Fell in Love,” “Two Shots,” and “Not Easy.” These are the “people in the room”
tracksthe ones that sound best when you imagine a stage full of artists trading moments. Even listening alone, they feel communal. They also
highlight a key Elle King skill: she can share space. Some singers feature on a song and flatten it into one vibe. Elle adds contrastgrit next to
polish, humor next to sinceritywhich makes the whole track feel bigger.
If you want an extra experiment: play the playlist twice. The first time, just enjoy the hooks. The second time, listen for the choiceswhen she
leans into a word, when she goes raspy, when she suddenly softens. That’s where you start hearing why Elle King isn’t just “featured.”
She’s often the reason you hit replay.