Shoutout To My Ex: The Epitome Of A Call-out Song
Hearing a song you can relate to brings out a feeling of a special kind of satisfaction, perhaps only matched by that little bit of vengeance you get by posting said song on your social media, knowing damn well that the person it’s aimed at is going to see it. The little petty devil living on your right shoulder rejoices. We all know that feeling.
While we rant to our friends, diaries, or strangers on the internet, artists get to tell the whole world. That is, if they’re at least as successful as the Little Mix girls are. If you haven’t heard their new single Shout Out To My Ex, you really are missing out (and this is your cue to go listen to it now). Besides being in incredibly catchy pop song, it is also oh so relatable for anyone who has ever gone through a less than sweet break-up.
Naturally, since the LM gals are quite the stars, people can’t help but wonder, who is this “ex” they’re referring to? Many people believe they know the answer, because despite all the girls having relationships over the years, there was that one that has been publicised more than the others – Perrie’s relationship with Zayn Malik. Sadly, over the years Little Mix has often been referred to as “Zayn’s girlfriend’s band”, which is why it is not all that surprising that most people immediately assumed it was about him. To be fair, they just might be right.
The song does include a line “I should say thank you for the hate you’s and the tattoos”, and Zayn did get a tattoo of Perrie during their relationship (getting a tattoo of your significant other is highly unadvisable). “He” also allegedly is “in love with some other chick” –Gigi Hadid, anyone? Zayn and Gigi have been parading around enough, that if by now you haven’t noticed there’s something occurring there, I applaud you for your ability to avoid celebrity news so well. Anyhow, if these points were not indicative enough for you, let me introduce you to the music video for the song.
While the girls drive through the countryside in a fancy cabrio, they throw various objects such as photos or hoodies out in the air. Amongst those objects is a teddy bear, which looks a lot like one Zayn supposedly won for Perrie on one of their (well publicly documented) dates.
(The bear in the Shout Out To My Ex music video.)
Sure, a teddy bear, just like the photos and hoodies, is a common object one may relate to their ex/significant other, but what about this man they decide to leave standing on the side of the road? Does he remind you of anyone?
Of course, the song could very well also be about Leigh-Anne’s abusive ex, but marketing is marketing, and referencing another celeb in a song is sure to draw attention. Little Mix are not the first (Taylor Swift could write a dissertation on the topic), or the last to use this tactic. Even our beloved Ed Sheeran caused havoc with his hit Don’t supposedly being about Ellie Goulding cheating on him with Niall Horan.
Some artists, however, pretend to be above this method of garnering attention, and instead try to get it by calling out those who do.
Only to later try to play nice to cover their a**.
Be as it may, shading someone for throwing shade is a tad hypocritical, isn’t it? What do you make of this? We will be over here, jamming to Shout Out To My Ex if you need us!
Images from: (Perrie and Zayn back when they were still together. Image source: ©XPOSUREPHOTOS.COM), http://www.capitalfm.com/artists/little-mix/videos/shout-out-to-my-ex/) and twitter