Meaning of “GTFO” by Mariah Carey
“GTFO” is a breakup song by multiple Grammy Award winning American pop icon Mariah Carey. In the song, the narrator (Mariah) talks fumes about, among other things, how her ex-lover not only took her “love for granted” but also left her “lost and disenchanted”. She goes on to talk about how he “bulldozed” her heart as though it was something he took his time to plan.
These lyrics have led many fans to suspect Mariah is talking about her relationship with Australian billionaire businessman James Packer. Mariah and Packer began seeing each other somewhere in 2015. In 2016, they announced that they were engaged. However, before the end of that year, they ended their engagement. Packer later said in an interview that the relationship between himself and Mariah was nothing but a “mistake”.
But is the song “GTFO” really about Carey’s ex-fiancé James Packer?
Having thoroughly analyzed the lyrics of this track and the fact that they were written after the demise of the singer’s relationship with Packer, we are tempted to throw our weight behind fans who speculate that the song is directed at Mariah’s former fiancé Packer. As it stands now, only Mariah can tell whether these angry lyrics are directed at Packer or not. So far, the pop diva has remained tight-lipped with regard to who the lyrics are about.
What is the meaning of “GTFO”?
It is an acronym for the phrase: “Get The F*** Out”. So basically Mariah is telling her ex-lover (whoever he may be) to get the f*** out!
Facts about “GTFO”
- Mariah wrote “GTFO” with a number of songwriters. All the songwriters who received credit for writing this song are: Porter Robinson, Bibi Bourelly, Nineteen85 and Jordon Manswell.
- “GTFO” was produced by the song’s co-writer Nineteen85. Nineteen85, whose real name is Paul Jefferies, is a noted Canadian music producer. He is best known for working with the likes of Drake and Nicki Minaj. For example, Nineteen85 co-produced Drake’s “Hotline Bling” and “Don’t Matter to Me”. The latter song features Michael Jackson on vocals.
- “GTFO” was released officially on 13th September, 2018. It is a promotional single from Carey’s fifteenth studio album, Caution. Other popular songs on Caution include “A No No” and “With You“.
- This tune is Mariah’s first single of 2018.
Does “GTFO” sample any songs?
Yes, it does. It samples the 2014 song “Goodbye to a World” by American DJ/producer Porter Robinson. As such, Robinson is credited as one of the writers of “GTFO”.
What genre of music is “GTFO”?
This tune fits perfectly in the R&B genre.
Is this the first time Mariah Carey and music producer Nineteen85 have collaborated?
Yes. “GTFO” marks the first time both Mariah and Nineteen85 have worked together.
