Lola Young is surprised that ‘Messy’ became such a big hit.
The 24-year-old singer released the track last year that proved popular around the world – even charting at number three in the UK – but she had no idea it would be so successful.
Lola told Variety: “I don’t think anybody realised it. It wasn’t like, ‘Oh, this is the hit’.
“My label claims they knew, but I don’t think anyone can ever know what’s going to work – and that’s no shade.
“We had a clear vision of what the sound was and what the singles were and what was going to be prioritised.”
Young has also been surprised by the track’s upward trajectory as she initially wrote it in her bedroom following a difficult breakup.
She recalled: “My relationship was ending, and it was closure for me.
“Then I started to think about my relationship with myself. I’ve got a big ass mouth and I’m a loud woman. I’ve got to own it.”
Lola is grateful for the chart success of ‘Messy’ as it grants her more “creative control” on her future material.
She explained: “It takes a lot of pressure off. It means that there’s a lot more belief, there’s a lot more creative control.”
‘Messy’ went viral on TikTok last year but Young – who has earned a BRIT Award nomination for Best Pop Act – hates hearing the tune on the social media app.
She said: “Do you know what? I just can’t stand hearing it on the app.
“I obviously love that it’s on the app, I just don’t want to hear my own song when I open it.”
Lola added: “If it’s resonating, it’s resonating. It doesn’t really matter in what capacity.”