Matilda

by Harry Styles

A gentle, acoustic ballad that offers a deeply empathetic and supportive message to someone healing from a traumatic family upbringing.
Release Date May 20, 2022
Duration 04:05
Album Harry's House
Language EN

Emotions

anger
bittersweet
calm
excitement
fear
hope
joy
longing
love
nostalgia
sadness
sensual
tension
triumph

Mood

positive
negative
neutral
mixed

Song Analysis for Matilda

"Matilda" is a deeply empathetic song about healing from childhood trauma and the concept of a "chosen family." The lyrics tell the story of someone who grew up in a neglectful or abusive household where love was absent. Harry Styles acts as an observant and supportive friend, giving the subject, Matilda, permission to acknowledge her pain and to distance herself from her toxic family without guilt. The central message is that one is not defined by their past trauma and has the right to leave harmful situations to build a new life and find love and acceptance elsewhere. It touches on themes of realizing that one's upbringing was not normal, the complex feelings of guilt associated with leaving family behind, and the empowerment that comes from creating a new, loving environment for oneself. The song is a testament to listening and offering support, a comforting anthem for anyone who has felt unseen or unloved by those who were supposed to care for them.

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Most Frequently Used Words in This Song

don know let love sorry throw party full everyone family showed cause never invite leavin growin like mind doin time long start always show mmm matilda talk pain alright feel

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this song

Song Discussion - Matilda by Harry Styles

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