exes

The song captures the ups and downs of love, focusing on how relationships can feel like a cycle of making up and breaking up. Tate expresses a mix of regret and pride, admitting she can be hard to handle. There's a sense of playfulness in her tone, even as she reflects on the pain of past romances. Overall, it's a catchy yet relatable story of love gone wrong, highlighting the confusion and emotional baggage that often comes with it.

Verse 1

Oh, I'm sorry, sorry that you love me (ha-ha-ha-ha-ha)
Changed my mind up like it's origami
Oh, I'm sorry, sorry that you love me (ha-ha-ha-ha-ha)
Changed my mind up like it's origami

In this verse, Tate opens with an apology that feels almost sarcastic. She’s aware that her feelings change easily, comparing it to folding origami, which suggests fragility and complexity. This sets the tone for the song, indicating that she's not just dealing with her exes but also with her own unpredictable emotions. The laughter in her voice adds a layer of irony, suggesting she’s both amused and frustrated by the situation.

Chorus

(Kiss-kiss-kiss-) kisses to my exes who don't give a - about me
Kisses, kisses to the next ones who think they can live without me
We make up, then we break up, then they swear they'll never call me
But I still keep their number and their necklace, kisses to my exes

The chorus is catchy and fun, yet it reveals a deeper truth about her past relationships. The “kisses” imply a playful farewell, but there’s also a hint of bitterness as she acknowledges that these exes didn’t care as much as she did. The cycle of breaking up and making up shows the confusion in her romantic life. Keeping their numbers and necklaces symbolizes that, despite the breakups, she still holds onto memories and remnants of those relationships.

Verse 2

Happens every time
I don't mean, mean to be cold, but that's how I get, oh
Me and all my pride
Tryna burn down every damn bridge any time we can, and again

This verse reflects on a pattern in her behavior. She recognizes that she can be cold and prideful, which often leads to her pushing people away. The imagery of burning bridges suggests she’s afraid of vulnerability, opting to destroy connections instead of nurturing them. It’s a raw admission of her flaws and the self-sabotage that comes with them. This vulnerability makes her more relatable.

Chorus

(Kiss-kiss-kiss-) kisses to my exes who don't give a - about me
Kisses, kisses to the next ones who think they can live without me
We make up, then we break up, then they swear they'll never call me
But I still keep their number and their necklace, kisses to my exes

The chorus repeats again, reinforcing the cycle of love and heartbreak. It serves as a reminder that even though she tries to move on, there’s a part of her that still clings to the past. The repetition emphasizes the theme of her emotional struggle, making it clear that these feelings are hard to shake off.

Bridge

Say, say I wanna go there, then I wanna leave
Make another promise that I can't keep
I don't ever know what I want, but that's what you want
If you're down with it, don't blame me
Breakin' it all before it starts, makin' it all up in my head
But I just overshare 'bout things I never meant

In the bridge, Tate expresses her indecision clearly. She wants to commit but struggles to follow through, and this back-and-forth creates tension. It’s honest and relatable, as many people can relate to feeling lost in what they want from a relationship. The mention of oversharing suggests she might be trying to connect but ends up pushing people away instead. This adds depth to her character, highlighting her inner turmoil.

Outro

I'm a, I'm a, I'm a wild ride that never stops
I'm a, I'm a, I'm a hard case they can't unlock
And I, and I swear I care a lot, just not enough
Let's just say it is what it is and was what it was

The outro wraps things up by reinforcing her identity as someone who’s unpredictable and hard to understand. She acknowledges that she cares but also admits it’s not enough to make things work. The phrase “it is what it is” suggests a level of acceptance, almost resignation, to her situation. It’s a clever way to end the song, leaving listeners with a sense of both closure and ongoing struggle.

Closing Thoughts

Overall, "exes" by Tate McRae is a fun yet introspective look at relationships and the emotional messiness that comes with them. It resonates with anyone who’s been through similar ups and downs, offering a mix of humor and honesty. The catchy beat and clever lyrics make it both entertaining and relatable, capturing the essence of modern love and heartbreak perfectly.