“So What” is a self-celebrating anthem written from the point of view of someone aggressively dealing with a breakup. The lyrics focus on a specific route to dealing with romantic separation: namely, focusing on your own good qualities, getting into some trouble, and keeping your mind off of things. In addition, the song touches on the idea that you should not romanticize failed relationships but instead call them what they were.
Pink wrote this song during a split with her husband, Carey Hart. This is made abundantly clear in the lyrics themselves, multiple interviews, and multiple other sources. The story is not mistakable, but the end result might not be what you expect. Pink and Hart patched up their marriage after the song’s creation, and Hart even appears in its music video.
In this article, we’ll take a look at these blunt lyrics to discover their intended meaning. We’ll also take a look at the story behind the song and the human themes that make it accessible to anyone. Without further ado, let’s get started!
“So What” Lyrics Meaning
The lyrics waste absolutely no time before getting to the point and premise of the song. Pink starts by flatly saying, “I guess I just lost my husband; I don’t know where he went.” This line sets the tone for the rest of the song: blunt, unconcerned, indifferent, and tough-minded.
Pink seeks comfort in a very common solution – the bottle. She says, “I’m gonna drink my money” (spend it on alcohol) to this effect. To straighten out her mind, she’s going to drown her brain. In addition, Pink is “not gonna pay his [her ex’s] rent.” This lets you know that she’s financially severing herself from the man.
Wearing her “brand new attitude,” Pink famously promises to “get in trouble” and “start a fight.” Rather than talking things through, dwelling on them, or other less action-oriented solutions, she’s decided she needs to move. If you get into your body, you can often get out of your head.
The chorus is the best summary of Pink’s response to the breakup. Her answer? “So what!” She refuses to let it get her down. In order to do this, she begins celebrating herself. After all, as the lyrics say, she is a “rock star” with “rock moves.”
After saying, “I don’t need you tonight” and “you’re a tool” to her ex, she reaches a conclusion. The last line of the chorus is the focal point: “I don’t want you tonight.”
Verse two picks up where the chorus left off. It exemplifies how Pink has decided to roll with the punches. For example, when her table is taken and given to “Jessica Simp,” she just sits with someone else. The “at least he’ll know how to hit” line about the “drum boy” she sits with is possibly a double-entendre low-blow at her ex.
In addition, Pink wonders what the effects of her song will be. She exaggerates, saying, “somebody’s gonna die,” in order to make a point: they’re not. Although her ex may be angry and she may not be received well, she’ll be fine. That’s the main message of the verse and the song.
The last section of new lyrics is the bridge, after which the chorus repeats until the end. In it, Pink reflects on the dead relationship for a moment. She accuses her ex, saying, “you weren’t there; you never were,” even though she gave her all. Basically, the lesson is that you shouldn’t view the past through a rosy lens. Pink prefers to call it like it is, or at least how it was in her mind at the time.
In summary, “So What” is a crash course in a decidedly unscientific form of breakup therapy. By getting wild, “having more fun,” and refusing to dwell on pain, Pink created an anthem of self-celebration that has been heard by millions of ears. For the rest of the story, check out the section below.
The Story Behind “So What”
I’ll waste no time before giving you the answer: As mentioned, “So What” is about Pink’s separation from Carey Hart. Though they are back together now, they were on the verge of full separation from their marriage at one point. This was the period during which Pink took to songwriting to work through her feelings, creating one of her biggest hits.
Although the tensions in their relationship were clearly running high at one point, the couple now finds “So What” amusing. At least, Pink apparently does when performing it in front of Hart at her shows.
Fortunately, the fact that they can laugh about it is likely a good sign. They have children together, and it looks like their troubles are in the past.
Nonetheless, the public really enjoyed it when they hated each other! “So What” reached a #1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 and paid endless dividends to Pink. Critically, people were divided – some found the song juvenile, and others found it empowering. If the song’s lyrics are any indication, Pink probably doesn’t care.
The next time you listen to this absolute earworm, let these pieces of background information make it special!