Mahalia Sends a Not-So-Subtle Warning in "Letter To Ur Ex"
Photo: Vicky Grout
A common theme in songs surround the feelings one experiences when love begins or ends, but what happens in between? Relationships aren't as easy as popcorn flicks make them out to be. There are arguments, compromise, and occasionally, an ex pops up. In "Letter To Ur Ex," Mahalia sends the quintessential "hey girlie" to her partner's former lover, asking her to let go so their new love can grow.
Suave guitar riffs lead into Mahalia's resonant message, triggered by a spat between the two because of a text that her partner received from the aforementioned ex. At first, Mahalia seems understanding, singing, "And you don’t owe nothing to me / You think you know all about me, huh? / You’ve never been me, but I’ve been you, girl / I’ve had my heart broken, too, girl... / So, yeah I get it." But once the songstress gets into the chorus, she starts to stand her ground. Mahalia warns, "I don’t wanna sound like a bitch, no, I don’t wanna / If you carry on like this, you gon’ get your karma."
Mahalia explores the moments of a partnership often left unexplored. Healing from former flames, insecurities, and trust issues are emotions most have felt when diving into a new relationship. What's so poignant about "Letter To Ur Ex" is the relatable expressionism in its lyrics. While we want to be empathetic about situations that make us uncomfortable, it's not always easy. Especially when we want to embrace a budding new romance. And sometimes that means we have to set boundaries... even if not everyone's happy about it.
The Leicestershire lyricist also shares, "I wrote 'Letter To Ur Ex' the morning after me and my guy had had a really bad argument due to a text that had been sent by his ex partner the night before.I think when everybody begins a new relationship, it's vital that it feels like a fresh start. Like everything before doesn't really matter and the next journey begins now with only the two of you. I realised through this experience that isn't always the case. But, really, I just wanted to tell her how her actions were making me feel. How her gain in closure was my loss in love. And though I am also a woman who has felt all of those feelings before, I wanted to ask her to let him go so that I could hold him close. To close their old door so that I could open our new one."
Watch the "Letter To Ur Ex" video below:
