The slew of emotions that comes with a breakup can be difficult to put into words, but it seemed to come easier to many of this year’s Grammy-nominated artists.
Olivia Rodrigo, in “Vampire,” taps into the disgust that results from betrayal: “You made me look so naïve / The way you sold me for parts / As you sunk your teeth into me.”
SZA, in “Kill Bill,” explores the revenge fantasy of killing an ex: “I might kill my ex, I still love him though / Rather be in jail than alone.”
Miley Cyrus, in “Flowers,” sings about the revelation that happiness does not come from an external source: “Started to cry, but then remembered I / I can buy myself flowers.”
In these gut-wrenchingly personal post-breakup songs, all of which are nominated for record of the year and for song of the year at the 66th Grammy Awards, three women grapple with the concept of giving up so much of yourself — martyring yourself, even — for a relationship, and then experiencing rebirth.
