If you are a fan of catchy pop songs with witty lyrics and funky beats, you have probably heard of Mae Stephens. The 19-year-old British singer and songwriter is the voice behind the viral hit “If We Ever Broke Up”, which has taken over TikTok, Spotify, and the UK charts.

But who is Mae Stephens, and how did she create this empowering anthem for the dumped and the dumper?

Here is everything you need to know about the song and the artist behind it.

How did If We Ever Broke Up go viral?

Mae Stephens had been making music for years, playing piano, writing songs, and performing at local gigs and festivals. She had also been posting her original songs and covers on TikTok, but none of them had gained much attention.

That changed on New Year’s Eve 2022 when she uploaded a 15-second clip of “If We Ever Broke Up”, a song she had written and recorded in her bedroom. The clip featured her singing the chorus over a synth riff and a bassline.

If we ever broke up, I’d never be sad. Thinking about everything that we had If we ever broke up

The clip quickly went viral, racking up millions of views, likes, and comments. People loved the song’s catchy melody, relatable message, and sassy attitude. Many users also used the sound to make their videos, expressing their feelings about their exes or current partners.

Mae Stephens was shocked when she woke up on New Year’s Day and saw the response to her song. She told Time: “I woke up after my New Year’s Eve party, hungover, and I just got spammed. I was thinking, ‘This isn’t real; I’m probably just going to wake up in a second.’ It felt like a fever dream.“

She continued to post more snippets of the song on TikTok, building up anticipation and hype for the full release. She also signed with Republic Records at Universal Music Group, joining artists like Taylor Swift, Drake, and Ariana Grande.

On February 12, 2023, she finally released “If We Ever Broke Up” on streaming platforms, along with a lyric video on YouTube. The song was an instant success, reaching number 23 on the UK Singles Chart and number 1 on the UK Viral 50 Chart on Spotify. It also charted in other countries, like New Zealand and Sweden.

What is If We Ever Broke Up about?

The song is about what Mae Stephens would do if her boyfriend ever broke up with her. Instead of being heartbroken or bitter, she would be indifferent and even happy. She would not miss him or their memories, and she would even call his dad and tell him all the bad things he said.

The song is inspired by Mae Stephens’ own experience of being in a toxic relationship. She told NME: “It was just this process of me getting over it and realising that I don’t need him in my life anymore. It’s quite empowering for me to sing it.”

She also said that she wanted to write a song that was different from the typical breakup songs that are sad or angry. She wanted to write a song that was fun, upbeat, and humorous. She said, “I wanted to make something that people could dance to and laugh at.”

The song has resonated with many people who have gone through a breakup or are in an unhappy relationship.

Some of the lyrics that fans love are:

• “If we ever broke up, I’d call your dad / And tell him all the shittiest of things you’ve said”
• “Boy, don’t get emotional / ‘Cause it’s not personal / It’s just the way, just the way it goes”
• “You’re living in Wonderland / If you think I’ll understand / All the shit you put me through”

Who produced and wrote the song?

The song was produced by Morgan Avenue, who has also worked with artists like Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, and Billie Eilish. He helped Mae Stephens polish her demo and add more elements to the production.

The song was co-written by Mae Stephens and Grammy-winning songwriter and singer Emily Warren, who has written songs for artists like The Chainsmokers, Shawn Mendes, and Dua Lipa.

Mae Stephens said that working with Emily Warren was an amazing experience. She said, “She’s so talented and so lovely. She really helped me bring out my personality in the song.”

Mae Stephens, If We Ever Broke Up, Official Music Video

The official music video, released on March 26, 2023, mirrors the song’s tone, featuring Stephens imagining her comical acts of revenge on her ex-boyfriend. From crashing his car to throwing a party in his house, the video’s playful style and humour, coupled with nods to TikTok culture, garnered millions of views on YouTube.

She also released a remix of the song produced by drum and bass producer Goddard.

What are some of the songs that inspired Mae Stephens to write this song?

Stephens cites a range of influences for her music, from Lizzo’s Good as Hell and Ariana Grande’s Thank U, Next to Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive. These empowering anthems helped her navigate through her breakup and inspired her to create her unique sound. She also draws inspiration from modern pop artists like Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, and Benee, admiring their uniqueness and fearlessness in expressing themselves.

Conclusion

Mae Stephens’ rise to fame exemplifies the power of the internet in catapulting emerging artists to stardom. Her breakout hit If We Ever Broke Up is a testament to her talent and potential as a fresh face in the pop music scene.