When music becomes revenge. Not just Taylor Swift: all the songs against exes

Rome, 23 April 2024 – In the history of music, ex-boyfriends have often inspired songs full of emotions, anger and uncomfortable truths. Taylor Swift where he sings in his latest album “I am an Aston Martin that you drove straight into the ditch” against his ex Fernando Alonso it’s just an example. From Shakira to Ariana Grande revenge, after a story that ends badly, is often served bitingly and in rhyme. When the wound continues to hurt, putting betrayals, lies and personal issues to music seems to be fashionable among pop stars. In the world of music, in fact, many have been through it, since Justin Timberlake to Alanis Morissette, to Selena Gomez: singing the most uncomfortable feelings at the top of your voice and letting off steam in front of millions of fans seems to have a strong point post-breakup therapeutic power. Here are some of the songs written after a final breakup, dedicated to the exes who have caused suffering and for this reason cannot be forgotten.

You Oughta Know by Alanis Morissette

We all sang it at the top of our lungs: let’s talk about “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette: “Do you know how you told me you’d keep me until I die? “And every time I scratch my nails on someone else’s back, I hope you feel it.” In the tear-jerking song composed in 1995 the singer describes a failed relationship, showing anger and resentment towards an unidentified ex. Although Morissette never revealed who the recipient of the song was, there has been much speculation to trace her identikit. It is in fact written at the end of a love story with a boyfriend who, in the text, she calls “Mr. Duplicity”, Mr. Bad Faith. Morissette collects all the venom he has in himself and transforms it into a song that exudes anger and the desire for revenge. “I would like you to know that I’m happy for you / I want nothing but the best for you two,” Alanis sings ironically and then continues “She’s a more mature version of me / but is she twisted like me? / Would she bend over you in the dark of a cinema? The name of the unfortunate ex was never revealed even if someone spoke about the actor at the time Dave Coulier. The radio stations decided to broadcast the song on the condition that the oral intercourse verse in the cinema was sweetened and the word “fuck” was eliminated. The expurgated version allowed Alanis to participate in the MTV Music Awards and Saturday Night Live, ensuring her a huge audience and unprecedented success.

Fun Tonight by Lady Gaga

In “Fun Tonight”, Lady Gaga expresses the sense of emotional imprisonment experienced with the ex-boyfriend Christian Carino with whom she was supposed to get married. With this new song from the album Chromatica, he doesn’t spare his words against his ex for his jealousy: I feel like I’m in a prison hell / If I scream, you walk away / When I’m sad, you just wanna play/ I’ve had enough, why do I stay? “I feel like I’m in prison hell.” The song highlights the lack of support and understanding during moments of fragility, criticizing the ex’s self-centeredness. Gaga reflects on her internal struggle between love and the awareness of the damage caused by her ex’s jealousy. Furthermore, the song highlights the contrast between the personal suffering of Lady Gaga for the media attention and her ex’s affection for fame: “You love paparazzi, you love fame”, she sings direct and biting.

Cry Me a River by Justin Timberlake

For those who don’t know the story: this passage by Timberlake refers to the twenty-year dispute between him and his ex Britney Spears. Released after their breakup in 2002, the video and lyrics of “Cry Me A River” they tell of a boy left by a shrewd and mean girlfriend (in the video the actress is very similar to her ex), suggesting that he has been the victim of repeated betrayals. In her memoir, Britney called the song a low blow that did not correspond to the truth, saying she was she is the victim about Justin and his relationships with other women while they were together.

Slide Away by Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus, in “Slide Away”, addresses the end of a relationship, the process of personal growth, reflects on the inevitable change in relationships and the need to accept the passage of time. “Once upon a time, it was made for us, but now it’s time to let it go”. Once upon a time, it was made for us, but now it’s time to let it go… “Move on, we’re not 17, I’m not who I used to be.” Let’s move on, we are no longer 17, I am no longer who I was. The song suggests that despite the pain of separation, time can heal wounds. Miley Cyrus remembers the good times she spent with Liam Hemswortha year after the end of their marriage which lasted a few months, decides to put an end to the sadness and face his own path.

Lose you to Love Me by Selena Gomez

“Lose You to Love Me”deals with the pain and disappointment caused by the end of a relationship, in this case the one with Justin Bieber. Selena Gomez reflects in rhyme on the sense of betrayal and how suffering can lead to personal growth. “You promised the world and I fell for it, you adored it when I put you first.” You promised me the world and I fell for it, you liked it when I put you first. “Set fires to my forest and you let it burn.” Justin Bieber announced the marriage to Hailey Baldwin just two months after the last breakup with Selena. Yet she suggests in the song that true revenge is finding self-love and forgiving your ex to truly heal. Selena Gomez shares hers emotional journey with the public and encourages others to do the same. Difficult, but not impossible.

Thank u, next by Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande in “Thank U, Next” he bares his heart and thanks all the exes who have crossed his path since Pete Davidson, to Mac Miller to Big Sean. With a touch of boldness and sincerity, the pop star reveals how past experiences have shaped her personal growth. “I’m so fucking grateful for my ex” patience/one taught me pain. Ariana emphasizes the importance of love yourself first of all and to look forward with confidence. “Thank U, Next” is a hymn to resilience and to authenticity, an invitation to embrace every experience as an opportunity for personal growth. Arianna thanks everyone, leaves the pain behind and moves on to the next one. The right ending.