It’s not uncommon for singers to seek inspiration from their love life for their music. In fact, some artists have actually made a career out of it. While fans relate to songs that talk about their favourite singer’s first crush, they equally relate when the artist writes a post-breakup track. In recent times, female musicians aren’t afraid of dropping names or giving hints, sometimes in ways so obvious everyone knows who they are referring to. And now, some singers have gone beyond merely writing songs about their heartbreak. In a vengeful nod to the men from their past, now we even have songs timed to release so strategically, they are on an ex’s birthday. Subtlety isn’t their strongest suit. They’re bringing a new level of petty to the forefront but TBH, we don’t entirely hate it.
And let’s not forget–after all, it’s pure marketing gold. While the singers are taking jabs at their exes, they garner massive attention from a wide audience who get curious about the song and eventually listen to it even if they’re not a fan. Ahead, we list 7 female singers who have gone on to let their ex know how they truly feel through their music, with no sugar coating.
1. Lana Del Rey
In the pettiest of moves, the musician put up 1 billboard on December 7 to promote her upcoming album and its lead single in Tulsa Oklahoma, which happens to be the hometown of her ex-boyfriend Sean “Sticks” Larkin. Lana Del Rey shared a photo on social media of herself with the billboard for her album titled Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, in the background. And she smartly captioned it, “There’s only one and it’s in Tulsa.”
2. Miley Cyrus
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The Wrecking Ball singer didn’t keep things subtle when she announced the release date of her single from her upcoming album, Endless Summer Vacation. She dropped the track Flowers on January 13, which also happens to be the birthday of her ex-husband Liam Hemsworth. Some call it petty but we think she’s just being Miley.
3. Ariana Grande
You’ve heard Grande’s Thank You Next, which is dedicated to all the men she dated. She goes to the extent of dropping their names in the song. Excluding Mac Miller whom she refers to “an angel” and Pete Davidson who she is “thankful” of, she takes a small dig at Big Sean (“Thought I’d end up with Sean, but it wasn’t a match”) and Ricky Alvarez (“Wrote some songs about Ricky, now I listen and laugh”) through her lyrics.
4. Taylor Swift
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Everyone knows that Taylor Swift’s inspiration for music is her love life. Every new album has songs that narrate the story of her past relationships–We’re Never Ever Getting Back Together is directed towards Jake Gyllenhaal, Dear John points out to her relationship with John Mayer, I Knew You Were Trouble is about Harry Styles. In her recent single All Too Well, Swifties were quick to point out that the artist has delved deeper into her romance with Jake. The red scarf featured in the 10 minute video hints at the red scarf Taylor gave Jake, which he may or may not still keep at his sister’s house. The lyrics and music video basically narrate their whole relationship in a nutshell.
5. Olivia Rodrigo
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The Gen-Z artist’s breakup ballad Driver’s License broke records on multiple song charts and practically made her career. The song is about a heartbroken teenager watching her ex move on. Fans were quick to point out that the song is directed towards her rumoured ex-boyfriend Joshua Bassett, who was also her co-star on the Disney+ TV series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. The singer’s next single Good 4 U was another track that spoke about how her ex looks very happy having moved on from their relationship and fans once again think it was directed to Bassett.
6. Halsey
Halsey was in a relationship with rapper G-Eazy back in 2017. They dated each other for a year and split in 2018. Following their break up, the singer released the song Without Me but it’s the music video that grabbed all the eyeballs as it featured a G-Eazy lookalike. And nope, it was no accident. The whole video was dedicated to her ex and their toxic relationship.
7. Adele
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Adele’s music career kickstarted with her album 21 which is essentially a breakup record. And ever since then, she has sang about matters related to the heart. She has admitted that her recent album 30 was recorded to help her eight-year-old son understand why she and his father got divorced.
