Letting out jazzy runs, hypnotic hooks, and an unfiltered operatic scream from the gut, Whitney Woerz sparks a physical reaction with every performance in the studio and on stage. With over 135 million YouTube views, 20 million streams, and acclaim from Billboard, Vanyaland, and more, she traces her 2020 10:22pm/Island Records debut back to one such moment and a life-changing realization…
“I fell to the floor,” she recalls. “I discovered my voice, my sound, and my genre in one take. I realized I didn’t have to play by any rules. I could just sing what came naturally. Rather than just touching on it, I’m bringing out what’s underneath the feelings and the sadness. If you analyze my lyrics, they’re real. It’s music that might help you learn something about yourself.”
Whitney discovered herself through music. Singing before she could talk, she enrolled in vocal lessons as early as kindergarten before participating in her first musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a year later. Falling in love with performance, she continued to hone her voice through rigorous traditional training. Studying opera, lyrical, classical, and jazz, her range encompassed an expansive swath of styles.
Facing turmoil in school, she retreated into her art.
“In my hometown, everybody was skinny with straight blonde hair and played sports,” she says. “If you weren’t playing at a high level, you weren’t cool. I got bullied because I did performing arts. Can you believe that? At the time, I was bigger than everyone else and had curly hair. It could be really tough.”
She siphoned that struggle into songs. Retreating to Nashville with GRAMMY® Award-winning producer Glenn Rosenstein [Madonna, U2, Talking Heads], she recorded her independent Behind The Smile EP in 2016. Written after a friend admitted to suicidal intent during an online chat, the single “Ghost Story” took off as an anthem of encouragement and empowerment. Citing the song as “one of the most significant moments of my life, because my friend said it saved her,” the accompanying video went viral with 10 million-plus views. Bring Change 2 Mind—the organization founded by Academy® Award nominee Glenn Close—sought her out as an ambassador. Maintaining this momentum, “Love Me Not” racked up over 60 million YouTube views and 4.5 million Spotify streams in 2018. Along the way, she shared the stage with everyone from Jason Mraz and Jesse McCartney to Nina Nesbitt in addition to performing on The Today Show as Elvis Duran’s “Artist of the Month.” During 2019, she fully realized her sonic identity. Striking a balance between jazz phrasing, lo-fi production, and pop power, Whitney introduces a singular style on Sad Love.
“It’s pop fused with jazz influences and urban elements,” she explains. “It’s left-of-center, and it nods to everything I love. I grew up practicing opera. The theatricality is in there. I love standards by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday, so it has some of those elements. It’s quirky like me. I feel like what I’m doing now really represents who I am.”
The lead single and title track “Sad Love” tiptoes between airy keys and a glitchy beat as her soothing vocals give way to a sassy bridge. Meanwhile, her voice ascends to towering heights with an impassioned refrain, “Baby, that’s sad love,” backed by a revival-style call-and-response.
“I was with the only boyfriend I’ve ever had for my junior year of high school,” she remarks. “I was way too in love with him. He became my life. I didn’t even matter anymore. One day, he came over and he told me he didn’t love me anymore. Then, a few months later when I wrote ‘Sad Love,’ I wasn’t healed all the way. But, then I realized I wouldn’t be anywhere if he didn’t break my heart. I became so powerful in my mind that I took all of me back. I finally became myself again. It’s an oxymoron, but the sadness brought me to self-love. You have to break before you can grow.”
Elsewhere on the EP as her journey carried on, lithe guitar wraps entwine with swells of strings as her angelic delivery emanates through “Philophobia.” Once again, she makes a stark confession, “Philophobia means ‘fear of falling in love.’ I’m admitting that I’m scared of meeting my match, getting attached, and giving my heart without getting it back’.” The droning production of “Weirdos” gives way to a schizophrenic performance as her voice flutters between hushed verses and fits of triumphant as she declares, “The odd are getting even.”
“If you’re weird, embrace it,” she continues. “That’s the message of the song. Weird is the new cool. It’s our turn. Back in the day, I was bullied for theater and singing. I’m taking an awful time in my life and adding light again.”
In the end, Whitney might just move you emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
“I want you to take away positive energy, encouragement, and unconditional love,” she leaves off. “That’s the most important thing to me. I want to be a light in the world by being real.”
Sad Love
Whitney Woerz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I never knew what you would do
When I said, "I love you", that′s when you said, "Thank you"
That's the moment I knew that I needed you to
Please break my heart
So, my life can start
And now I wanna thank ya, for giving me the wake-up
It′s just what I needed, but I couldn't see it
I'm happy that I broke down so that I could be found
And I wouldn′t be here if you didn′t leave, dear
Baby, that's sad love and yeah, I got sad love
But now it don′t matter, I've never been better, ooh
Yeah, baby that′s sad love and yeah, it made me sad, love
But now it don't matter, I′ve never been better, ooh
Painting with pain, (but) make no mistake, (we)
Grow when we breaks, so I dance when it rains
When I said, "I love you", that's when you said, "Thank you"
That's the moment I knew that I needed you to
Please break my heart
So, my life can start
Baby, that′s sad love and yeah, it made me sad, love
But now it don′t matter, I've never been better, ooh
Yeah, baby that′s sad love and yeah, it made me sad, love
But now it don't matter, I′ve never been better, ooh
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
And now I wanna thank ya, for giving me the wake-up
It's just what I needed, but I couldn′t see it
Baby, that's sad love and yeah, I got sad love
But now it don't matter, I′ve never been better, ooh
Yeah, baby that′s sad love and yeah, it made me sad, love
But now it don't matter, I′ve never been better, ooh
Baby, that's sad love, yeah, it made me sad, love
But now it don′t matter, I've never been better
In Whitney Woerz's song Sad Love, she reflects on a past relationship, in which she had many doubts and uncertainties. The opening line, "Roses were blue when I was with you," sets a melancholic mood, implying that even though everything seemed fine on the surface, something felt off. She further emphasizes the confusion she felt in the relationship, singing "And I never knew what you would do."
The chorus, "When I said, 'I love you,' that's when you said, 'Thank you,' that's the moment I knew that I needed you to please break my heart so my life can start," reveals a bittersweet realization. The partner's response to her declaration of love was not reciprocated, but instead of being heartbroken, Woerz realized that this relationship needed to end for her to move forward, hence why she wanted her partner to break her heart.
The lyrics "Painting with pain, make no mistake, grow when we break, so I dance when it rains" depict the idea that even though pain can be overwhelming, there's a silver lining in it. Woerz acknowledges that breaking down has helped her become a stronger version of herself.
Overall, "Sad Love" is a song about the end of a relationship, but it's ultimately a story of resilience and growth. Sometimes relationships don't serve us, and it takes a tough breakup to realize that.
Line by Line Meaning
Roses were blue when I was with you
My memories of the things we did and the love we shared now seem bittersweet.
And I never knew what you would do
Your unpredictability kept me on edge, never knowing what to expect from you.
When I said, "I love you", that′s when you said, "Thank you"
You failed to reciprocate my feelings and instead gave me a superficial response.
That's the moment I knew that I needed you to
This was a critical turning point for me, as it made me realize how much I wanted you to change.
Please break my heart
I wish you had the courage to let go of me instead of dragging me along for so long.
So, my life can start
Only by ending this toxic relationship could I begin to move on and find true happiness.
And now I wanna thank ya, for giving me the wake-up
In hindsight, I realize that your departure was a much-needed wake-up call that helped me see our relationship for what it really was.
It′s just what I needed, but I couldn't see it
At the time, I couldn't see the silver lining in our breakup, but I now recognize how it has allowed me to grow and move on.
I'm happy that I broke down so that I could be found
Although it was painful, hitting rock bottom helped me find myself and discover what I truly wanted in life.
And I wouldn′t be here if you didn′t leave, dear
Ironically, leaving me was the best thing you ever did for me, as it cleared the way for me to find true happiness.
Baby, that's sad love and yeah, I got sad love
Our relationship was sad and painful, and it's something that will always weigh on my heart.
But now it don′t matter, I've never been better, ooh
Despite the pain, I've grown to be a stronger person and am now better off without you.
Painting with pain, (but) make no mistake, (we)
The pain we experienced in our relationship was like a canvas that we painted with our emotions and experiences.
Grow when we breaks, so I dance when it rains
During difficult times, we have the opportunity to grow and learn, which is why I dance in the metaphorical 'rain' of my life's challenges.
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do
This part of the song represents the idea of moving on and leaving the past behind.
And now I wanna thank ya, for giving me the wake-up
The singer is grateful for the lessons learned from the failed relationship, knowing that they led her to a better place.
Baby, that’s sad love, yeah, it made me sad, love
Although the love they had was beautiful, it was also painful and sad because it had to end.
But now it don't matter, I've never been better
Despite the struggles and the pain, the singer has come out on the other side stronger and better for the experience.
Writer(s): Joshua Tangney, Stefan Litrownik, Whitney Woerz
Contributed by Alaina M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nkaujhnubgaming835
She danced with him in the ballroom.
Charlie, I never knew you could dance. She said to him.
Well, I can dance. Charlie said to her.
I love you. She mumbled.
I love you too. He smiled as he looked at her shoes.
She was wearing a white frilly dress with white shoes.
You’re so attractive Charlie. I think I’m so lucky to have you. She told him, as she looked at his right rib.
Adam and Eve. God made one of adams rib bones as Eve so he would have a twin flame. That’s what they were, lovers. Endlessly, forever lovers.
I want to live with you forever Charlie. She told him as she shifted her gaze onto his eyes.
He blushed and gulped.
I do too. Charlie said.
End of scene 10
She held him in a hug while dancing.
Have I told you how much I love you? She told him.
Yes. It’s a lot. He smiled as he looked at her left toe.
You’re cute. Charlie told her.
Do you ever wonder if we’re in a story? She told him.
Yeah. He said, looking at her.
I think it doesn’t matter though. She said, closing her eyes, enjoying hugging him.
Oh, okay. I’m in love with you. He told her.
Me too. She told him, looking up at the glass light.
End of scene 11
Story name: Lovers
@riskyrisky0.0
How are you still not viral😭
Been listening for 6 years girl keep it up ILY🫶🏼🫶🏼
@jonperez7069
I'm been a fan since " idea of her" you have a wonderful voice great talent this one is another awesome song . Thank you for this gift to the world 😍🥳🤗💯🎉
@booklover7473
This has to be one of my favorite songs. It's just amazing and Whitney is very talented ❤❤❤
@CameySaurusRex
God your vocals hunny! 😭😍😍👌🏻 And this music video be a whole vibe. Entire song is fantastic & cute!
@KrazyWolf1149
I love it!!!! Your voice is amazing as always!! 🤩 🎶
@gacque9381
Perfect song!
me encanta todo, la letra el vídeo la música ❤
@Avionne
Yeah this the one🔥
@rakelnarmanl6474
I love it!!!!! Cool music ❤ love this...
@MreowMeowCat
glad you’re still making music and keeping up your sound, i love 🥺
@WeatherManJosh
Amazing music video, this is such a vibe 🔥🔥🔥💃🏻🕺🏽