Natalie Shay’s ‘Hate to Say It’ is the fierce anthem we all need when it’s time to stand up, set boundaries, and put our mental health first. We all know and love Natalie Shay; after all, she’s one of the UK’s most exciting young singer-songwriters. Her latest release, ‘Hate To Say It’, is raw and unapologetic, capturing that moment when you finally say enough to someone who always lets you down. Natalie takes us through a unique journey, and to celebrate the new single, we’re here to break it down in the hopes it will inspire our community of readers to set those boundaries like a boss and take a leaf out of Natalie’s book.
Setting The Scene Of Disappointment
The song opens in full force! Seriously, Natalie wastes no time and begins the track by singing about a bittersweet past weight that is playing on her mind. It’s that frustration and wanting connection that Natalie hones in on before realizing not everyone has your best interests at heart. The lyrics, “everybody lets you down eventually,” are universal. We’ve all had someone who doesn’t meet expectations or lets us down, and the song’s opening is like a hug from Natalie to us listeners. But that doesn’t last too long. Enter that self-protective strength scattered throughout the song as Natalie shifts perspective and turns reflection into liberation.
From Heartbreak To Self-Care
Natalie shows us the difficult but necessary steps as she draws her own lines on well-being. For anyone who has wrestled with the choice to let something (or someone) go or to keep holding on, ‘Hate To Say It’ is your anthem, validating the struggle and strength it takes to prioritize mental health.
Breaking Free And Breathing Easy
The chorus packs a punch, seriously. The lyric: “If ya can’t admit you were wrong, then I can’t help you / Oh, I hate to be the one to tell you that it’s over,” had us punching the air in excitement on first listen. More importantly, Natalie reminds us that there can’t be growth for people who aren’t able to recognize their own actions, and in this situation, she’s done with empty promises.
The lyric “I’m breathing now you’re gone” perfectly reflects the weight lifted once toxic people are removed from your life. This new freedom, peace, and happiness comes after breaking free.
Owning The Realities Of Moving On
When we say Girl Power, we think of this song. Across this funky, country-tinged, indie, guitar pop song are lyrics like “Isolate the leader babe / Dirty play in retrograde.” We love how Natalie recognizes the red flags and addresses them headstrong. By the end of the track, the line: “I hate to say it, but I think that this is over” becomes the song’s mantra as if it’s a commitment to choosing herself, and a reminder we should all do the same.
With ‘Hate to Say It,’ Natalie Shay delivers an important reminder: setting boundaries isn’t just about protecting yourself from others, but about prioritizing your own mental and emotional health. It’s a song for anyone who’s learning to say no. Do you have a story of your own boundary breakthrough? Let us know in the comments or tweet us @thehoneypop! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.
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