Released: 2020
Features: Juice WRLD
We’re diving into the haunting spectacle that is “Hate Me” by Ellie Goulding featuring the late, great Juice WRLD. At its core, this pop banger dissects a tumultuous relationship, tossing up a storm of raw emotion, recriminations, and desire. It’s a melodramatic misery-fest, dressed in a flashy pop package.
“Hate me, hate me, still tryna replace me,” Ellie sings, the punch of pain palpable in her voice. Goulding’s character is entangled in a toxic love affair, caught between lingering memories and the sharp sting of current animosity. The phrase “still tryna replace me” suggests an ongoing struggle to move on, her ex unable to fully break free.
Then we roll into: “I bet you don’t kiss her with your eyes closed / I bet you’re still walkin’ on a tightrope.” Goulding expresses a bold belief that her ex isn’t as into his new flame as he claims, that their connection doesn’t match the depth and intensity of what he had with her. The “tightrope” metaphor paints a vivid picture of insecurity and instability.
Midway, Juice WRLD spits candidly about being trashed and easily replaced, mirroring Goulding’s sentiments. “Tell me that I’m strung out, wasted on the daily / Prolly ’cause there’s no one around me numbin’ all my pain,” he raps, a confessional of loneliness and self-destruction. His verse is a deep dive into the aftermath of a broken relationship, marked by numbness, mind games and a thinly veiled yearning for something lost.
Repeated lines like “Hate me, hate me,” and “Chase me, chase me” form a compelling hook, marrying the concept of love and hate into an infectious chorus. It’s an irresistible paradox between wanting to be chased, yet simultaneously despised – a classic post-breakup dilemma presented with all the grandeur and gloss of modern pop.
The line “And if you switch sides, you’re gon’ have to claim your place” is a challenge. It evokes a sense of the singer urging the other party to choose a side clearly, make a firm stand – either you’re with me or against me — further exemplifying the bittersweet dynamics of this failed romance.
In all, “Hate Me” is a high-voltage exploration of post-breakup chaos, painted with lyrical depth and gripping conviction. Beyond its catchy beats and glossy production, it’s a soul-baring testament to the trying tribulations of love lost, where hate, as they say, is simply love that’s been hurt.
