Mitski’s New Single, “I’ll Change For You” is an Anthem For Pathetic Yearners

As Mitski gears up for the release of her upcoming album, Nothing’s About to Happen to Me, she surprised fans Tuesday afternoon with the release of another single, “I’ll Change for You.”

During her BBC Radio 1 interview on Tuesday, Mitski described the inspiration behind the newest single as “wanting to write a song about being pathetic.” As noted by the single’s title, the song is about trying to change everything and anything about oneself in order to keep a partner. The song is full of misery, embarrassment, and a profound hopelessness. If conveying a sense of “chalantness” and obsession was Mitski’s goal, then she hit it right on the mark. The very first verse sets the tone for the entire piece, and it’s clear the narrator has reached a weak point of desperation. 

“How do I let our love die/ When you're the only other keeper/ Of my most precious memories?/ Yeah, I've been drinking/ Why's that gotta mean/ I can't call you 'bout you and me?,” Mitski writes. 

At its core, the song defies traditional heartbreak anthems because 1) it’s not a pop-anthem and 2) Mitski identifies herself– as opposed to her partner– as both the problem and the solution. 

There’s a quiet sense of urgency in her final pleas where she states, “I'll do anything/ For you to love me again/ If you don't like me now/ I will change for you/ I'll change for you.”

Whether you’re contemplating that drunk phone call or want a new song to cry to, “I’ll Change for You” has snippets of something for everyone. 
Mitski’s album, Nothing’s About to Happen to Me, is out February 27.