FEATURE:
Shout Out to My Ex…
IN THIS PHOTO: Miley Cyrus
The Power of the Modern-Day Break-Up Song
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ALTHOUGH it is not a new phenomenon…
PHOTO CREDIT: Marcell Rév
there is something about the break-up song that is empowering and memorable. They take different forms. There are songs of recrimination and blame following a break-up. These can be quite angry and accusatory, and they have been providing direction, strength and comfort to people for generations. What is more intriguing are break-up songs that have a strong message. Those that see the protagonist moving on and enjoying a better life. From 2016 hits such as Little Mix’s Shout Out to My Ex, to Dua Lipa’s 2020 song, Don’t Start Now, there have been these anthems that have made a big impact. I am especially interested in the female empowerment anthem. A recent article from The Guardian talked about the rise and importance of these songs. Miley Cyrus’ new track, Flowers, is about her getting over a divorce and being able to do fine alone. “Yeah, I can love me better than you can” is a mantra that will inspire a lot of women around the world. It applies to men too but, in terms of gender, The Guardian note how there is a difference in tone and direction. Cyrus’ Flowers sees the heroine reveal that she did not want things to end (she and Liam Hemsworth divorced), but she then remembers how she can do all of these great things. Pay attention to herself and felt loved. Whether the performance has guts and a huge chorus or lyrics that come from deep down, there is a positivity to them that shows resolve and a sense of rebirth.
“Miley Cyrus can buy herself flowers, she can write her name in the sand. She can take herself dancing, and she can hold her own hand.
That’s the message the pop star imparts in her new single, Flowers, which smashed Spotify’s one-week streaming record with more than 96m streams last week, and topped charts around the world including in the UK, Australia, Canada and China.
The song, reportedly about Cyrus’s divorce from the Australian actor Liam Hemsworth, has become an anthem for female empowerment after heartbreak. Cyrus even released it on her ex-husband’s birthday, spawning countless headlines, TikToks and memes about Hemsworth’s rumoured shortcomings.
What’s most fascinating, he added, was the “gender divide” in the songs. “Breakup songs sung by men are [often] in the noble blues tradition of ‘my baby she left me’ as they sit feeling sorry for themselves. But while there are plenty of heartbroken women, there are just as many songs about a woman picking herself up and moving on. Both Gaynor’s I Will Survive and Cyrus’s Flowers are essentially feminist anthems. The women are empowered by their breakup, not destroyed by it. No wonder it turns out to be such a rich seam of songwriting.”
Alex Goat, the chief executive of the youth culture specialists Livity, said: “If Lewis Capaldi’s Someone You Loved and Forget Me sit firmly in the depression phase, Flowers feels like you’re coming out the other side, alongside Dua Lipa’s Don’t Start Now, which brings a sense of acceptance and empowerment to ‘owning your breakup’”.
The Guardian also noted how Miley Cyrus’ new track is part of a larger body of break-up songs from women which are empowering and have this huge power. Shakira found great success with a diss track against footballer Gerard Piqué. Made in collaboration with DJ Bizarrap, it earned enormous views on YouTube. Whilst different to Miley Cyrus’ song, Shakira’s has a definite sense of retaliation and attack. It is clever and witty, but the Spanish-language song has a huge punch. This article delves deep into a song that has picked up a lot of attention:
“The song has been praised for its excellent wordplay and double entendres. In the second verse, Shakira says, “I only make music; sorry if it splashes you.” The Spanish word for “splashes” is “salpique” (sal-pique). In the pre-chorus, Shakira remarks, “She [Pique’s mistress] has the name of a good person; clearly, it’s not how it sounds.” Clara, the name of Pique’s mistress, etymologically means “brilliant and pure” and was popularised by Santa Clara de Asis in the 13th century. The Spanish word for “clearly” is “claramenta” (clara-mente).
During both of these references, Shakira appears in low-angle shots, implying that the pair are beneath her. After all, the chorus contains the line, “I was out of your league that’s why you’ve settled with someone just like you.”
At 2:22 minutes, Shakira says, “I’m worth two 22 year olds”, at which point she displays peace signs on each finger. Ostensibly, it’s a mere reference to Piqué’s mistress’ age, but it’s also an appropriation of the iconic gesture which Piqué used to dedicate his goals to Shakira, for both he and Shakira were born on February 2nd (2/2). A further numerical reference can be seen with the length of the song: it lasts 3:33 minutes. Pique’s favourite number and his Barcelona FC shirt number? You guessed it – three!
This line is followed by a pair of lyrics that have taken the world by storm: “You traded in a Ferrari for a Twingo; you traded in a Rolex for a Casio.” Whilst this might appear to be an hilarious, simple mention of luxury brands compared to cheap brands (Shakira vs. Clara), Shakira does not do random. Indeed, Piqué is known for his love of watches and cars; he has million-dollar collections of both. Hilariously, Pique attempted to clap back at Shakira by announcing a partnership with Casio, only for Casio’s stock market to plummet – whilst Rolex’s rose and the dis track broke records – before Casio revealed that Piqué lied. Piqué then arrived to work in a Twingo – attempting to embarrass Shakira but merely proving her point”.
There is a distinct gender divide when it comes to break-up songs. For male artists, I think there is more downbeat and defeated spirit. I guess there are male empowerment songs, but most post-break-up songs from male artists are more sorrowful and pained. Sure, female artists also release songs like this, but that idea of moving on and doing better alone is growing in popularity. At a time when social media promotes false and idealised images of women, it can be quite dangerous and damaging. I think empowering break-up songs promote self-care and self-acceptance. Sending out the message that there is light at the end of a relationship. Whilst you do not hide the pain, rather than dwelling and letting it defeat you, there this resolve and attitude that sticks in the mind. Not only does it show positivity and prioritising the self. Part of a larger narrative, think about Self Esteem (Rebecca Lucy Taylor) and her album, Prioritise Pleasure. The title track has this incredible and strong message: “So I'm breathing in/One, two, three/Prioritise pleasuring me/No need to wait for bended knee/I'm free”. It is amazing that these songs of freedom, determination and self-love are out there in the world. Shakira has created this viral diss track that sticks it to her ex. Miley Cyrus is seeing the positives in a single life, whilst Lana Del Rey has put billboards up in her ex’s hometown ahead of the release of her new album. Rather than this being (the 2017 film) Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, it is more a couple of billboards outside Tulsa, Oklahoma. Wonderful to hear and see, these songs and acts of independence, takedown and self-love are going to inspire so many other people. It will be interesting to see what comes form Miley Cyrus’ forthcoming album, Endless Summer Vacation (out on 10th March). Like her latest single, her music and life is…
IN full bloom.