Not Mad Anymore

**Producer(s)** | Clampitt

**Not Mad Anymore** is a song by Ashe and is the eighth track on her album *Ashlyn*.

The song is one of *Ashlyn*'s modern-sounding tracks with loud instrumentals that give off a freeing feeling over a piano-based arrangement and prominent strings.

It contains explicit lyrics.

## Background

Sonically described by critics as a "style of song that mimics [the] feeling of acceptance", and being "heavily influenced by *Laurel Canyon* in sound and style". Analysing the song, Kaitlyn Lunn of *FTPunks* says "leftover heartbreak seems to disappear while listening to this song".

Ashe explains, "It’s that acceptance phase of grieving when you’re like: ‘Okay. That’s how that went. I’m okay. I made it out and I’m better for it. Similar to "Moral Of The Story", but a little bit louder of a record".

"When I'm Older" has been described as a "complimentary" song to "Not Mad Anymore" given their similar theme of coming to terms with an ended relationship.

## Meaning

The song is a love letter to Ashe's struggles with love. It finds Ashe in a stage of acceptance after a breakup, she expresses how she has moved on and is no longer as angry toward the relationship as she once was, coming to terms with her frustration that the dynamic had caused.

## Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Burned out like a star

'Cause baby, we were made to fall apart

The best songs never last for very long

Don't forget the start

'Cause even if we're made to fall apart

[Pre-Chorus]

That's life, no one makes it out alive

Oh, no, not even Jesus Christ

So even if it makes you cry, ooh

[Chorus]

Oh, babe, for the first time, yesterday

I wasn't mad anymore about the madness, screamin'

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

Oh, babe, you're the bеst mistake I made

I'm not mad anymore about thе madness, screamin'

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, oh

I'm not mad anymore about the madness

We didn't have any more of the magic

[Verse 2]

Went down like the Sun

But I still hope the best is yet to come

So forget all that angry shit I said

A time on a road trip, I was being controlling

So you got out the car while it was still rolling

[Pre-Chorus]

Well, that's life, no one makes it out alive

Oh, no, not even Jesus Christ

So even if it makes you cry, ooh

[Chorus]

Oh, babe, for the first time, yesterday

I wasn't mad anymore about the madness, screamin'

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

Oh, babe, you're the best mistake I made

I'm not mad anymore about the madness, screamin'

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, oh

I'm not mad anymore about the madness

We didn't have any more of the magic

[Bridge]

(I'm not mad anymore, I'm not mad anymore)

(I'm not mad anymore, I'm not mad anymore)

(I'm not mad anymore, I'm not mad anymore)

(I'm not mad anymore, I'm not mad anymore)

Burned out like a star

'Cause baby, we were made to fall apart

[Chorus]

Oh, babe, for the first time, yesterday

I wasn't mad anymore about the madness, screamin'

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

Oh, babe, you're the best mistake I made

I'm not mad anymore about the madness, screamin'

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, oh

I'm not mad anymore about the madness

We didn't have any more of the magic

## Trivia

* Although not an official single, it did receive a music video after the release of *Ashlyn*, as did "Love Is Not Enough".
	+ It was filmed in a warehouse that stores disused sets and props.
	+ The video pays homage to the legendary film musicals of the 40's and 50's and traditionalist old Hollywood visuals, such as the iconic Judy Garland in *Get Happy*, Ashe is seen mastering a delicate interpretative/tap dancing sequence, flocked by 4 dancers accompanying her, striking a balance of nostalgia with a modern twist.

* Ashe took 3 months of tap dancing lessons in order to prepare for the music video, which she called a "big challenge".

* The music video features a mint-coloured door at the end which Ashe walks through and closes, this metaphorically symbolises the end of the *Ashlyn* era.
	+ It first appeared in the "Me Without You" video, released two days before the album.
	+ It also just so happened to be in the disused prop warehouse when they arrived to record the video; therefore, it was used.
		- The punched hole above the doorknob in the door also originates from the "Me Without You" video and is still present in this video.

* The song contains lyric-sound effects before the opening line "Burned out like a star", as a cigarette lighter flick/sparking can be heard.
	+ These lyric-induced elemental sounds on *Ashlyn* can also be heard in "Kansas".
	+ And on *Rae*: "Another Man's Jeans" and "Angry Woman".

* The different-sounding production of the song's individual sections has been likened to the internationally famous 1975 song "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen.

* The song references Ashe's ex-husband in the lines "I'm not mad anymore about the madness/We didn't have any more of the magic".
	+ She also does in these other *Ashlyn* songs: "Love Is Not Enough", "When I'm Older", "Me Without You", "Save Myself", and "Moral Of The Story".
	+ And from *Rae*: "Another Man's Jeans", "Hope You're Not Happy", "It Can't Be You", and "Loose Ends".

* "Not Mad Anymore" was written directly before "Me Without You".

* The line "'Cause baby, we were made to fall apart" is a reference to "Till Forever Falls Apart".

* "Not Mad Anymore" is one of three explicit songs on *Ashlyn*, the others are: "Till Forever Falls Apart" and "Moral Of The Story" (both versions).

## Navigation

 Ashlyn Tracklist

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://www.stereogum.com/2147101/ashe-ashlyn-album-review/columns/the-week-in-pop/
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://lancerledger.com/5900/entertainment/review-on-ashlyn-by-ashe-a-must-hear-album/
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 https://www.withguitars.com/296347-2/
4. ↑ https://ftpunks.com/ashlyn-the-breakup-album-everyone-needs/
5. ↑ https://ghsexplosion.com/5424/reviews/ashlyn-ashe/
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://genius.com/Ashe-not-mad-anymore-lyrics
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 https://www.pmstudio.com/music/20211023-15168
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwT7Vnc9\_p0
9. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20211023092124/https://thehoneypop.com/2021/10/22/ashe-taps-out-of-ashlyn-era-with-the-final-chapter-not-mad-anymore/
10. ↑ https://youtube.com/watch?v=bjPYAK8wR1Q
11. ↑ https://www.insider.com/ashe-ashlyn-debut-album-interview-2021-5