“You Might Not Like Her” by Maddie Zahm
“You Might Not Like Her” has generated some headlines largely due to a couple of bisexual references therein. These bisexual references in the song are apparently Maddie Zahm’s way of openly declaring her sexual orientation. Simply put, this song can be described as Maddie’s coming-out piece.
But in reality, there’s a whole lot going on in these lyrics. In fact, this may be the rawest female coming-of-age song we have thus far come across via this blog.
And without us going into too much detail, as the lyrics are more or less straightforward in and of themselves, what is transpiring here is the vocalist comparing and contrasting her life, now at 24 years of age, to let’s say how she was about a decade or so earlier. And as relayed, in her youth she was more righteous, so to speak. In other words, Maddie was religiously devoted and highly valued characteristics such as her chastity.
But since then, stuff has happened. For instance, Maddie has come to embrace bisexuality, i.e. not having an issue with being attracted to both men and woman. When her lesbian side first manifested in her youth, it frightened young Maddie. So what the vocalist is saying now, in hindsight, is basically that she should’ve taken it in stride.
Thesis Sentiment
And that brings us to the thesis sentiment of this piece. Present-day Maddie is an antithesis of her personal ideology as a small girl. In other words, as relayed in the title/chorus, the vocalist is honest enough to admit that her younger self would not approve of what she’s now become, body image and all.
But the vocalist, being in the here and now, is proud of what she’s become. And that’s because, as estimated, all of the traumas and transformations she has experienced since have now brought out the “real” her.
Therefore, as implied at the end of the second verse, her childhood was ultimately flawed due to the fact that she was “really f*-king bad at being real”. So at the end of the time, in a poetically roundabout way, the thesis sentiment of this piece is one you more commonly come across in rap music in a manner of speaking, i.e. putting forth that it’s best to be true to yourself, despite the consequences.
Maddie Zahm talks about “You Might Not Like Her”
According to Maddie, this song is about the relationship she has with herself. She has referred to this song as a unique one in the sense that she allowed herself to be “vulnerable”. Furthermore, she revealed that it was via this special song that she was able to accomplish the task of coming out to herself and family.
Maddie Zahm
Maddie made a name for herself at the age of 19 by participating on the 16th season of American Idol in 2018. It doesn’t appear that she fared particularly well therein in an official sense, but she did prove to be akin to a fan favorite.
In 2020, Maddie dropped her first album, an LP titled “People Pleaser”.
Release of “You Might Not Like Her”
“You Might Not Like Her”, which was released on 15 June 2022, is from an EP of the same name. Based on the current interest this song is receiving in America and around the globe, it may be on the verge of being Maddie’s first solid hit. Additionally, this track has reportedly achieved some level of virality on TikTok.
Writing and Production Credits
Maddie wrote and produced this track with Adam Yaron, with additional writers being Carlee Chappell and Rabitt.
The songstress has indeed implied that these lyrics are based on her personal experience. It is actually the the first song she wrote about herself.
