Unveiling The Hidden Depths Of Outkast's "Hey Ya!"

Outkast's seminal hit "Hey Ya!" is one of the defining songs of the 2000s. An undeniably catchy earworm, its addictive melody and snappy hook have been filling dancefloors for the best part of the last 20 years. However, despite its upbeat melody and positive associations, the song's lyrics are rather dark and upsetting—which many fans are now realizing. The now disbanded Outkast—André 3000 and Big Boi—brought this to the forefront of music lovers' minds today when they tweeted a meme in reference to the hit. If you’ve been anywhere near social media lately, you’ll have seen a new meme format where brackets are used to break down certain things.

Recently, the official Outkast account tweeted, “Alright alright alright alright alright we made one,” breaking the song down into “a bop” but mostly “the saddest song ever written.” This tweet sparked a wave of discussions, especially among younger audiences who may have overlooked the deeper meanings behind the song. TikTok user Elizabeth (@elizadeva) elaborated on this in a video, revealing that André 3000 wrote the song about modern-day relationships, emphasizing the complexities and emotional struggles that often lie beneath smiling faces.

Elizabeth pointed out that many people stay in relationships not out of love but because they fear being alone. This sentiment resonates with the lyrics, “