Shout Out to My Ex

"Shout Out to My Ex" is an empowering breakup anthem about moving on from a past relationship with confidence and positivity. The lyrics convey a message of finding strength through heartbreak and celebrating newfound independence. The song is a direct address to a former partner, but instead of being a traditional sad ballad, it's an upbeat, defiant, and sassy declaration of being better off. The central theme revolves around the idea that the pain of the breakup was a catalyst for personal growth, making the narrator the stronger person she is today. The "shout out" is ironic; it's a sarcastic thank you for the negative experiences—the "hate yous and the tattoos"—that ultimately led to her liberation and self-empowerment. The track is widely seen as a symbol of girl power, encouraging listeners to leave the past behind and look forward to "bigger and better things." Much of the song's meaning is also tied to the widely publicized breakup between group member Perrie Edwards and former One Direction singer Zayn Malik, adding a layer of personal and public catharsis to its interpretation.

The song is a powerful and assertive message to a former lover. It begins by acknowledging the pain of seeing the ex move on with someone new. The narrator admits that the breakup hurt, but she is now completely over it. In a bold and cheeky turn, she wishes the new couple well, hoping the new girlfriend is having a better sexual experience than she did, implying their past intimacy was unfulfilling for her. She reflects on the four-year relationship, stating she has forgotten the boy and is moving on.

A significant shift occurs as the narrator sarcastically thanks her ex for the negative experiences and even the tattoos associated with their time together, suggesting his memory is something she is glad to be rid of. She coolly states she's not even sure she ever truly loved him. The chorus erupts into the song's central theme: a triumphant "shout out" to the ex. She credits him for breaking her heart because the experience ultimately shaped her into the stronger person she is today. It's a toast to him, as she triumphantly declares she is now at a higher point in her life and vows he will never be able to bring her down again.

The second verse details the practical steps of moving on, such as deleting all his pictures and blocking his number, signifying a clean break. She asserts that while he took what he could from the relationship, he will no longer receive her love. The pre-chorus and chorus are repeated, reinforcing the message of empowerment and growth from pain. The song culminates in a powerful declaration of self-love and resilience, with the repeated refrain emphasizing her elevated state and her ex's inability to affect her negatively anymore. The overall narrative is one of transforming heartache into a celebration of independence and self-discovery.

"Shout Out to My Ex" was released on October 16, 2016, as the lead single from Little Mix's fourth studio album, Glory Days. The song was written by Little Mix (Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock) along with Camille Purcell, Iain James, and the Norwegian production duo Electric (Edvard Førre Erfjord and Henrik Michelsen), who also produced the track. The creation of the song was heavily inspired by personal experiences, most notably Perrie Edwards' high-profile breakup with Zayn Malik in 2015. Edwards confirmed that the relationship ended via a text message, an experience which fueled the song's raw and honest lyrical content. The group wanted to create an empowering anthem that everyone could relate to, moving away from sad breakup songs to something inspirational. The original lyrics were reportedly more explicit, with direct references to Malik's new relationship with model Gigi Hadid, but were toned down to be more radio-friendly. The song premiered with a live performance on The X Factor UK, the show where the group was formed, and was released immediately after. Upon its release, there was controversy regarding its similarity to G.R.L.'s 2014 song "Ugly Heart," which the group addressed by stating that similarities in chord progressions are common in pop music.

The song employs several powerful symbolic and metaphorical elements to convey its message of empowerment.

• The "Shout Out": The central titular phrase is a form of verbal irony. A "shout out" is typically a gesture of appreciation, but here it is used sarcastically to "thank" the ex for the pain he caused. This reframes the entire experience, turning a negative past into the foundation for current strength. The act of publicly calling him out symbolizes taking control of the narrative and refusing to be a victim.
• Tattoos: The lyric "For the 'hate yous' and the tattoos" directly references the tangible, permanent marks of the relationship. This is particularly poignant given that Zayn Malik had a prominent tattoo of Perrie Edwards on his arm, which he later covered up. The tattoo symbolizes a love that was meant to be permanent but ended, and her dismissive mention of it signifies she is no longer bound by that past commitment.
• Faking It: The line "Hope she ain't fakin' it like I did, babe" is a bold and direct metaphor for inauthenticity within the relationship. While on the surface it's a sexually charged comment, it symbolizes a deeper lack of genuine connection and happiness, suggesting the entire relationship was a performance she's now free from.
• The Road Trip (Music Video): The music video, set in a desert, uses the imagery of a road trip to symbolize the journey of moving on. The car, the open road, and leaving a male hitchhiker (who resembles the ex) behind all represent freedom, progress, and leaving the past in the rearview mirror.

The predominant emotional tone of "Shout Out to My Ex" is one of triumph, defiance, and empowerment. While the song's subject matter is a breakup, it deliberately steers away from sadness and wallowing. Instead, it projects an atmosphere of joyful liberation and sassy confidence. This is achieved through a combination of upbeat, dance-pop instrumentation, a fast tempo, and powerful, belted vocals. There's an undercurrent of anger and bitterness, evident in lines like "Hope she ain't fakin' it like I did, babe" and the sarcastic "thank you for the 'hate yous'". However, this anger is channeled into a positive, forward-moving energy rather than vindictiveness. The emotional landscape shifts from a brief acknowledgment of past hurt in the opening verse to an exultant celebration of self-worth in the chorus. The overall feeling is not one of heartbreak, but of a happy, cathartic release, making it a quintessential anthem for anyone who has come out of a difficult relationship stronger and better off.

"Shout Out to My Ex" had a significant cultural impact upon its release, becoming one of Little Mix's signature songs and a global breakup anthem. It debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart and remained there for three consecutive weeks, becoming the first song by a female-led act to hit number one in the UK in 2016. It achieved massive commercial success, being certified triple platinum in the UK and charting in over 20 other countries, including reaching number 69 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 2017, the song won the prestigious Brit Award for British Single of the Year, the group's first-ever Brit. The song's success was amplified by the intense media speculation and public interest surrounding its connection to Perrie Edwards' breakup with Zayn Malik. This narrative fueled its popularity, turning it into a real-life soap opera played out in the charts. The track has been a staple of Little Mix's live shows since its release and was memorably performed at the 2017 Brit Awards and on The X Factor. Its bold lyrics and empowering message have resonated with millions, solidifying its place as a modern pop classic and a defining moment in Little Mix's career.

"Shout Out to My Ex" is built on a simple yet effective rhythmic and rhyming foundation typical of the power pop genre. The song is set in common time (4/4) with a brisk tempo of approximately 126 beats per minute, creating an energetic and danceable feel. The rhythm is driving and consistent, pushing the song forward and reinforcing its assertive and confident message. The interplay between the punchy, syncopated vocal melody and the steady rhythmic pulse of the drums and bass creates a dynamic and engaging listening experience.

The rhyme scheme is generally straightforward, contributing to the song's catchy and memorable nature. The verses often follow an ABCB pattern, as seen in the opening lines: "This is a shout out to my ex / Heard he in love with some other chick (A) / Yeah yeah, that hurt me, I'll admit (B) / Forget that boy, I'm over it (B)". The pre-chorus and chorus use more consistent rhyming, with couplets and repeated phrases that function as hooks. The use of perfect rhymes ("quits"/"it") and near rhymes enhances the song's pop appeal, making the lyrics easy to sing along to. The rhythmic delivery of the lyrics is particularly impactful, with key phrases emphasized to land squarely on the beat, giving them a punchy, declarative quality.

"Shout Out to My Ex" utilizes a variety of musical and literary techniques to create its powerful, anthemic quality.

• Direct Address: The song is written in the second person, directly addressing the "ex." This creates an intimate, confrontational, and cathartic tone, as if the singer is speaking her truth directly to the person who hurt her.
• Vocal Harmonies: As is characteristic of Little Mix, the song features strong, layered vocal harmonies, especially in the chorus. This not only creates a full, rich sound but also evokes a sense of solidarity and collective strength, as if all four members are united in the sentiment.
• Call and Response: The structure of the chorus, with the main line "Shout out to my ex" followed by the response "you're really quite the man," has a call-and-response feel, making it incredibly catchy and participatory for an audience.
• Musical Arrangement: The song is built on a driving, up-tempo dance-pop beat with a prominent bassline. It begins with a sharper, more pointed vocal delivery in the verses and builds into a powerful, belted chorus, mirroring the emotional journey from reflective pain to triumphant declaration. The production by Electric, who also worked on their hit "Black Magic," gives the song a polished, powerful pop sound.
• Colloquial Language: The lyrics use informal and direct language like "chick," "babe," and "ain't," which makes the song feel relatable, modern, and authentic, rather than overly poetic or abstract.

What is the song 'Shout Out to My Ex' about?

The song is an empowering breakup anthem about moving on from a past relationship with confidence. It's about finding strength in heartbreak and celebrating independence, sarcastically 'thanking' an ex for the pain because it made the protagonist stronger.

Is 'Shout Out to My Ex' about Zayn Malik?

While the band has described it as a relatable song for anyone with an ex, it is widely believed and heavily implied to be about Perrie Edwards' breakup with former One Direction singer Zayn Malik. Lyrics about a four-year relationship and tattoos strongly point to him.

Who wrote 'Shout Out to My Ex'?

The song was co-written by all four members of Little Mix (Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jade Thirlwall) along with songwriters Camille Purcell, Iain James, Edvard Førre Erfjord, and Henrik Michelsen of the production team Electric.

What award did 'Shout Out to My Ex' win?

In 2017, 'Shout Out to My Ex' won the award for British Single of the Year at the 37th Brit Awards. It was the group's first-ever Brit Award win.

What does the lyric 'Hope she ain't fakin' it like I did' mean?

This provocative line suggests that the singer was feigning satisfaction and happiness, specifically sexual pleasure, in her past relationship. It's a bold statement meant to assert that the relationship was unfulfilling and that she is now free from that inauthenticity.

When was 'Shout Out to My Ex' released?

The song was released on October 16, 2016. It served as the lead single from Little Mix's fourth studio album, 'Glory Days'.

What genre of music is 'Shout Out to My Ex'?

The song is primarily a dance-pop and power pop track. It features an upbeat tempo, a strong beat, and powerful vocals, making it a classic example of an empowering pop anthem.