Man, when I first heard Lola Young's "This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway", it stopped me dead in my tracks. There's something raw about the way she delivers those lyrics - like she's tearing pages out of her diary and setting them on fire. You don't just listen to this song, you feel it in your bones. And judging by how many people keep searching for it months after release, I'm clearly not alone here.
Funny story - I played this for my friend Sarah last month when she was going through a messy breakup. Halfway through the second verse, she just started crying. Not sad crying, more like... cathartic screaming-into-a-pillow crying. She texted me later saying "how did she know EXACTLY what I needed to hear?" That's the power of this track.
Who Is Lola Young Anyway?
Okay let's back up. If you're new to Lola Young (where've you been?), she's this 22-year-old powerhouse from South London. Started singing at like five years old, trained at BRIT School (same place Adele and Amy Winehouse went), and signed with Island Records before she even turned twenty. Her voice? Imagine if Amy Winehouse and Florence Welch had a vocal lovechild with extra grit.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Lola Young |
| Age | 22 (born Dec 5, 2000) |
| Hometown | South London, UK |
| Musical Style | Soul/R&B with rock and jazz influences |
| Breakthrough Track | "6 Feet Under" (2020) |
| Label | Island Records |
What makes her stand out in today's oversaturated music scene? She writes everything herself for starters. No ghostwriters, no teams of Swedish hitmakers. Just her notebook and that smoky voice. Her lyrics cut deep because they're real - no filter, no sugarcoating. And nowhere is that more obvious than in "This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway".
Inside "This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway"
Okay let's get into the meat of it. This track dropped in March 2023 as part of her debut album "My Mind Wanders and Sometimes Leaves Completely". Right from the opening piano chords, you know you're in for something special. That sparse production lets her voice take center stage - smart move because holy hell, what a voice.
Song Anatomy
Intro: Just piano and vocals. Immediate intimacy.
First Verse: She sets the scene of a relationship falling apart. "I saw it coming from miles away" - oof.
Pre-Chorus: Tension builds with strings creeping in.
Chorus: Bam. That title line hits like a truck: "This wasn't meant for you anyway."
Second Verse: More details emerge. You almost feel guilty listening, like you're reading someone's private texts.
Bridge (my personal favorite part): Everything drops out except her voice and a single piano note. Chills every time.
Final Chorus: Full orchestration comes in. Catharsis overload.
Outro: Fades out with layered vocals. Haunting.
What's She Actually Singing About?
Look, I've seen some iffy interpretations online. No, it's not about some abstract philosophical concept. It's painfully human. The song captures that precise moment when you realize a relationship was doomed from the start. Not angry, not sad - just this bone-deep certainty that what you tried to build was never gonna work.
That line "I poured my soul into the wrong hands" gets me every time. Haven't we all been there? Giving your best to someone who fundamentally doesn't get you? Lola Young makes that universal feeling sound terrifyingly personal. And when she repeats "This wasn't meant for you anyway" at the end, it transforms from regret to liberation. Genius.
Fun fact: In an interview with NME, Lola admitted this was the hardest song to record on the album. She did over 30 vocal takes because it felt "too raw" at first. Eventually her producer convinced her to use one of the early, shaky takes - which is why it sounds so beautifully imperfect.
Why This Song Hits Different
Musically, it's a masterclass in tension and release. Starts sparse, ends huge. But beyond technical stuff, three things make it special:
1. The Vulnerability
No metaphors hiding the meaning here. She's staring straight into the emotional camera lens. I remember listening the first time thinking "damn, she really went there." That takes guts.
2. The Delivery
Her voice cracks in all the right places. Not autotuned to death like so much modern pop. You hear breaths between phrases, the slight strain on high notes - it's human.
3. The Relatability
Whether it's a failed romance, friendship, or career path - everyone's had that "this wasn't meant for me anyway" moment. That's why TikTok exploded with covers last spring.
How It Stacks Up Against Similar Tracks
Adele's "Someone Like You" - Both piano ballads about lost love, but Adele's looking back wistfully while Lola's in the angry/liberating phase.
Olivia Rodrigo's "drivers license" - Similar raw breakup energy, but Rodrigo's more teen-angst where Lola feels like hard-won adult wisdom.
Sam Smith's "Stay With Me" - Same gospel-inspired climax, but Smith's about desperation while Lola's about acceptance.
Where You Can Experience It Live
Saw her perform this at O2 Forum last June. Different beast live - she extended the bridge into a 2-minute vocal run that had the entire crowd silent. Actual goosebumps. If you get the chance:
| Upcoming Tour Dates (2023/2024) | Venue | Ticket Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 15, 2023 | Brixton Academy, London | £35-£75 |
| Dec 3, 2023 | Olympia, Dublin | €40-€80 |
| Feb 8, 2024 | Brooklyn Steel, NYC | $50-$100 |
| Mar 22, 2024 | The Wiltern, LA | $55-$110 |
Pro tip: Buy directly from venue websites. Resale prices for her shows went nuts after this song blew up.
Critical Reception - What Professionals Said
Rolling Stone called it "the most devastating breakup anthem since 'Back to Black'". The Guardian said it "redefines catharsis in modern soul". But honestly? Some critics didn't get it. Saw one review calling it "overly simplistic" - which just tells me they've never had their heart properly broken. The song's power is in its simplicity!
Fans were less divided. Within 48 hours of release, "This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway" had:
- 500k+ Spotify streams
- 120k+ YouTube views
- 85k+ TikTok creates
- #LolaYoungChallenge trending worldwide
Making It Your Own - Covers and Interpretations
Part of what cemented this song's legacy is how adaptable it is. Seen everything from heavy metal covers to lo-fi bedroom versions. My favorites:
Jazz Club Version
This YouTuber slowed it down, added saxophone - turned it into a 1950s torch song. Weirdly perfect.
Acapella Group Cover
Five-part harmony replacing the orchestra. Highlight: their bass vocalist doing the cello parts.
Instrumental Piano Tutorial
Surprisingly playable for intermediate pianists. The left-hand pattern is easier than it sounds.
Frequently Asked Questions (Real Ones From Fans)
Did Lola write "This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway" about a specific person?
She's coy about specifics (smart move), but confirmed it's based on multiple failed relationships. In her words: "It's about realizing someone doesn't deserve your magic".
What's the song's official duration?
3:42 on the album version. Live performances often stretch to 5+ minutes.
Is there a music video?
Yes! Simple but powerful - just her singing in an empty theater as dust falls from the ceiling. Directed by her sister Maya.
What piano does she use in recordings?
1908 Steinway Model O at RAK Studios. Same piano Adele used on "21".
Will this be a single?
Became an unofficial single after fan demand. Now gets regular radio play on BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music.
Where to Find It Online
Spotify and Apple Music have the clean album version. For live recordings:
- YouTube: BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge performance (best quality)
- SoundCloud: Rough demo version with different lyrics
- Tidal: Hi-fi master with incredible dynamic range
Avoid sketchy download links - her team aggressively issues takedowns. Support the artist!
My Personal Take (For What It's Worth)
Look, I've reviewed hundreds of breakup songs. Most either wallow in self-pity or rage like a teenager. What makes "This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway" different is its quiet dignity. It's not "you suck", it's "we sucked together and I'm walking away". That shift from blame to accountability? Revolutionary.
Confession: I play this whenever I need creative courage. Writing something personal? This song. Starting a risky project? This song. It's become my anthem for letting go of perfectionism. Lola probably didn't intend that, but art takes on its own life.
Is it perfect? Nah. The bridge feels slightly too long on first listen. And I wish the drums kicked in earlier. But those "flaws" make it real. Unlike overproduced chart-toppers, this feels like a human being singing to another human being. No wonder people keep searching for Lola Young's "This Wasn't Meant for You Anyway" months later - it fills a hole we didn't know we had.
Final thought? This track proves sometimes the greatest art comes from knowing exactly what to leave behind. And if that isn't life advice wrapped in piano chords, I don't know what is.