It was released on November 11, 2013 by Island Records. Upon release, critics revered the song as a "return to basics," praising Carey's vocal control throughout the song. It was also heavily compared Carey's debut single, Vision of Love (1990). "The Art of Letting Go" was most successful in South Korea and Australia, where it reached number seven and number eight on the Singles Chart and Urban Singles chart, respectively.
She performed this song in the New Year’s Eve Special with Carson Daly on December 31st, 2013.
The Art of Letting Go
Mariah Carey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just a brief little reminder to help myself remember
I no longer live in your dominion, no, no, no, no, no, no, ooh-ooh
You're just trifling, nothing more than a liability
Got up and laid all your possessions
Outside the kitchen window right now
Letting go, letting go ain't easy (ooh)
'Cause somebody you used to know
Is flinging your world around
And they watch, as you're falling down, down, down
Falling down, baby
Evidently your words were merely lies
Reverberating in my ears
And the echo won't subside
There's a deep, deep loss of hope
And the anger burns in me
I hope you don't get no ideas 'bout reuniting, baby
'Cause that's the last thing I truly need
Your audacity is too much to be believed, so
Go to MiMi on your contacts, press delete
Letting go ain't easy
Oh, it's just exceedingly hurtful
'Cause somebody you used to know
Is flinging your world around
And they watch, as you're falling down, down
Down, down
Maybe letting go, baby letting go
Ain't easy, ain't easy
Baby letting go, baby letting go (whoa, whoa)
Ain't easy, ain't easy (no)
Baby letting go, it ain't easy (oh)
'Cause somebody you used to know
Is flinging your world around
And you know what? (What?)
They watch as you're falling, as you're falling
Down
Fall
It ain't easy, baby
In the song "The Art of Letting Go," Mariah Carey sings about moving on from a toxic or broken relationship. She starts by confidently stating her personal opinion that she is no longer under the control of her former partner. She goes on to describe the difficult and painful process of letting go, using the metaphor of falling down as someone from her past continues to disrupt her life. She acknowledges the hurt and anger she feels, having been lied to and deceived, but ultimately decides to let go because there is no hope for a reunion. She concludes by saying that letting go is not easy, but it is necessary for her to move on.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm making a statement of my own opinion
I want to express my own point of view.
Just a brief little reminder to help myself remember
I just want to remind myself to stay strong.
I no longer live in your dominion, no, no, no, no, no, no, ooh-ooh
I am free from your control and influence.
You're just trifling, nothing more than a liability
You are unimportant and only bring trouble and problems.
Got up and laid all your possessions
I have gathered your things and left them outside.
Letting go, letting go ain't easy (ooh)
It's very difficult to move on and let go.
Oh, it's just exceedingly hurtful
The pain is very intense.
'Cause somebody you used to know
Someone you were close to in the past.
Is flinging your world around
Is making your life chaotic and uncertain.
And they watch, as you're falling down, down, down
And they enjoy seeing you struggle and fail.
Evidently your words were merely lies
You were not truthful with me.
Reverberating in my ears
I can't stop hearing your lies in my head.
And the echo won't subside
The memory of your lies won't go away.
There's a deep, deep loss of hope
I have lost all hope for us.
And the anger burns in me
I am very angry at you.
I hope you don't get no ideas 'bout reuniting, baby
I don't want to get back together with you.
'Cause that's the last thing I truly need
I definitely don't want you back.
Your audacity is too much to be believed, so
I can't believe how bold you are.
Go to MiMi on your contacts, press delete
Delete me from your contacts and don't try to contact me.
Maybe letting go, baby letting go
It's possible to move on and let go.
Ain't easy, ain't easy
But it's definitely not easy.
Baby letting go, baby letting go (whoa, whoa)
It's hard to move on from a past relationship.
Ain't easy, ain't easy (no)
It's very difficult to move on.
Baby letting go, it ain't easy (oh)
Letting go is very challenging.
'Cause somebody you used to know
Someone you were once close to.
Is flinging your world around
Is causing chaos and confusion in your life.
And you know what? (What?)
And you know why?
They watch as you're falling, as you're falling
They enjoy watching you struggle and fail.
Down
Fall
It ain't easy, baby
Falling down and failing is difficult, but it's possible to move on.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Rodney Roy Jerkins, Mariah Carey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lloydcafecadena
I LOVE YOU MARIAH T_T
@jadesumaylo2603
I miss you Kween LC.
@lcvilla
Miss you po! 🥺💖
@MuxuAnimation
We miss you na po!!!! Rip😭❤
@marieclairebalita3461
We miss u kween :< 💓
@vannnjooo9234
Dafaq ngayon ko lang nakita katagal tagal ko na pinapakinggan to
@trustme4903
A lyrical Genius. She taught more vocabulary words than school ever did.
@blumello24
Danielle Estrada Reverberating ❤️❤️ this woman is so well read and classy
@mimilamb4lifemariahthequee679
I love her and I'm from Italy #L4Life I listen only Mariah...she sings so well That I don't want to listen anyone of the Italian singers. Mariah makes me cry😭😭😭 because She's so soulful with her music. I live in Rome and when I go out to the Colosseum I listen Her music with my earphones with the mobile and MIMI really saved my life with her music,love her😘❤ #Queen👑 I love her voice and her personality. Sorry for my english...
@freddypraw3361
Lol trueee