OK Not To Be OK

"OK Not To Be OK" is an anthem of mental health awareness and self-acceptance. Released in partnership with the suicide prevention organization Hope For The Day, the song's primary message is to destigmatize mental health struggles and encourage open conversation. The lyrics directly address feelings of despair, isolation, and emotional exhaustion, validating these experiences as a normal part of being human. The song serves as a comforting reminder that it is acceptable to feel down, overwhelmed, or ashamed, and that one doesn't have to pretend to be fine. By repeating the phrase "It's okay not to be okay," it aims to provide solace and permission for listeners to embrace their vulnerability without judgment. Both Marshmello and Demi Lovato, who has been a vocal advocate for mental health, use the track to convey a message of hope, encouraging people to reach out and support one another. Marshmello stated he wanted to create a song about this important subject because many people are scared to talk about their negative thoughts, when in reality, others can often relate and understand.

The song begins by painting a picture of someone feeling utterly overwhelmed and insignificant, like a single drop in a vast ocean that goes unnoticed. This person feels trapped and paralyzed, as if their own skin is a prison and their body is frozen, leaving them feeling broken and empty. These feelings are intensified by a rush of powerful emotions that cloud their focus and leave them too drained to even seek solace in prayer. The lyrics caution against getting lost in these dark moments or giving up when a breakthrough might be near. At this critical point, the song introduces its core message: the profound need to hear someone say that it's perfectly acceptable to not be okay.

This central theme is a recurring affirmation, a powerful chorus that gives permission to feel down and ashamed without judgment. The song then explores feelings of delusion and isolation, where life seems unreal and the person has withdrawn from the world, convinced they will never get a chance to succeed or find a way out of their struggles. It offers a gentle reminder that these feelings are a natural part of the human experience and that some things are simply beyond our control. This acknowledgment of human vulnerability serves to normalize the experience of struggling.

The pre-chorus returns, reiterating the imagery of being "high on emotion," losing focus, and feeling exhausted. It emphasizes again the importance of holding on and the comfort that comes from having someone validate your feelings. The bridge of the song reinforces this pivotal pre-chorus one last time, building up the emotional weight before leading back into the final, resounding chorus. The repetition hammers home the central message, transforming it into a powerful and memorable anthem. It acts as a lifeline, a repeated assurance that vulnerability is not a failing. The song concludes on this note of acceptance, leaving the listener with the comforting and empowering idea that embracing one's struggles is the first step toward healing and that it is truly okay not to be okay.

"OK Not To Be OK" was written by Marshmello and Demi Lovato along with Gregory "Aldae" Hein, James Gutch, and James Nicholas Bailey. Demi Lovato reportedly wrote the song in 2019. The collaboration came about after the two artists had several encounters at award shows and music events. Lovato presented Marshmello with a demo version of the track that featured only her vocals and a piano accompaniment. Marshmello then built the production around her emotional performance. He intentionally designed the instrumental to mirror the song's emotional arc, starting slow and vulnerable in the verses and building to a more energetic, upbeat, and dance-oriented chorus to represent a sense of release and hope. The song was strategically released on September 10, 2020, to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day, amplifying its message. This release was part of a partnership with Hope For The Day, a non-profit organization focused on proactive suicide prevention and mental health education. An interactive, 90s-themed promotional website was also launched to provide resources and support.

The song primarily uses a simple, effective rhyme scheme that makes the lyrics memorable and accessible. The verses often follow an ABCB pattern, as seen in the first verse with "notice" and "closest" (though the latter is in the pre-chorus). The focus is less on complex rhyme structures and more on direct, emotional communication. The rhythm of the lyrics works in tandem with the musical arrangement. In the verses, Lovato's phrasing is more measured and melancholic, reflecting the introspective nature of the lyrics. The tempo is slower, allowing the weight of the words to sink in. As the song transitions into the pre-chorus and chorus, both the lyrical delivery and the underlying musical rhythm become more driving and syncopated. The tempo picks up, creating an anthemic, danceable feel that encourages a sense of communal release and resilience. This interplay between a slower, contemplative rhythm and an upbeat, energetic one is key to the song's emotional journey from acknowledging pain to celebrating acceptance.

Musically, "OK Not To Be OK" blends vulnerable, stripped-down verses with an uplifting, energetic chorus. The track begins with just a piano accompanying Demi Lovato's heartfelt vocals, creating an intimate and raw atmosphere. Marshmello's production gradually builds, introducing a vocoder in the pre-chorus before launching into a full dance-pop arrangement. The chorus is characterized by '80s-esque drums and driving synths, creating a disco-inflected dance beat that contrasts with the somber lyrical themes. Lovato explained that this contrast was intentional, providing a "dance break" or an escape from the difficult feelings described in the verses. Lovato's vocal delivery is central to the song's impact; she moves from a more delicate, vulnerable tone in the verses to a powerful, soaring delivery in the chorus, mirroring the song's journey from despair to hopeful affirmation. The primary literary technique is repetition, with the titular phrase "It's okay not to be okay" functioning as a powerful, reassuring mantra that anchors the song's entire message.

"OK Not To Be OK" made a significant cultural impact primarily through its direct engagement with mental health awareness. Its release was strategically timed for World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, 2020, and was part of a major partnership with the non-profit organization Hope For The Day, which works to break the stigma surrounding mental health. This collaboration elevated the song from a simple pop track to a public service announcement, providing resources through a dedicated website. The song was featured on the expanded edition of Demi Lovato's seventh studio album, "Dancing with the Devil... the Art of Starting Over." The music video, directed by Hannah Lux Davis, features the artists confronting their younger, more insecure selves, further reinforcing the theme of addressing past pain. The song was well-received for its positive and timely message, especially during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, and topped Billboard's new music poll upon its release.

The lyrics of "OK Not To Be OK" utilize several powerful metaphors to convey the experience of mental distress.

• "Feeling like a drop in the ocean that don't nobody notice": This opening line immediately establishes a sense of insignificance and loneliness. The vastness of the ocean symbolizes the overwhelming nature of the world, making the individual feel small, unseen, and unimportant in their struggles.
• "Feeling like you're trapped in your own skin / And now your body's frozen": This metaphor vividly describes the feeling of being imprisoned by one's own thoughts and emotions. The sensation of being "frozen" captures the paralysis that can accompany severe anxiety or depression, where one feels unable to act or escape their internal state.
• "High on emotion": This phrase cleverly uses the language of intoxication to describe being overwhelmed by feelings. It suggests a loss of control and focus, where emotions are so intense they become disorienting, much like a powerful substance.

The most significant recurring phrase is the song's title, "It's okay not to be okay." This line functions as the central hook and thematic core of the entire track. Its repetition in the chorus transforms it from a simple statement into a powerful anthem of validation and self-acceptance. It serves as a direct message to the listener, offering reassurance and permission to experience difficult emotions without shame. Another recurring motif is the phrase "When you're high on emotion / And you're losing your focus." This line appears in each pre-chorus and the bridge, consistently setting up the emotional state of being overwhelmed and out of control just before the chorus provides the comforting resolution. Its repetition emphasizes the cyclical and intense nature of emotional struggles, making the eventual refrain of "It's okay not to be okay" all the more impactful.