Ready

## Music video

"**Ready**" is the lead single from Alessia Cara's sophomore EP, *This Summer*. The song was released July 22, 2019 through Def Jam Recordings, with a message on Cara's twitter page that reads:

## Background and promotion

On July 18, 2019, Cara took to social media to reveal the release date and cover art of the song. She further stated that the release would mark the first of more songs leading up to the release of the EP. She performed the song live for the first time during her opening gig of Shawn Mendes' self-titled tour on July 23, 2019. A lyric video was released on August 9.

## Critical Reception

Ryan Reed of Rolling Stone described the song as "a reggae-pop groove built on booming drum fills and buzzing synths". Rania Aniftos at Billboardcomplimented the song for being an "empowering tune about choosing not to stick around with someone who's not ready for commitment". Writing for Complex, Hannah Lifshutz found that the lyrics depict "a different kind of breakup, one that allows you to walk away feeling empowered".

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1: Alessia Cara]**

I think it's safe to say that you will always change

New colours day-to-day; my friend, you are a hurricane

The look on your face, all the things you say

Send me to outer space; my friend, you test my patience

**[Pre-Chorus: Alessia Cara]**

Don't you just push me out now

You got me into this mess, who's gonna get me out?

Why are you pulling me down

If you got things to figure out?

**[Chorus: Alessia Cara]**

Oh, you're not ready for, ready for, ready for, ready for me

Oh, you're not ready for, ready for, ready for, ready for me, yeah

Go steady your, your heavy heart until you're free

Until you're ready for, ready for, ready for, ready for me

Until you're ready, ready for me

**[Verse 2: Alessia Cara]**

Why do I care so much about you, boy? You know I do

I think a million thoughts, but only half get through to you

You start a million fires just to see what they can do

But then you freeze up like winter season in June

I wanna climb into your mind and turn on all the lights

Read all your secrets, see if you wonder about mine

We're just kids tryin' to understand the world

You're still only a boy who's scared of a good girl

**[Chorus: Alessia Cara]**

Oh, you're not ready for, ready for, ready for, ready for me

Oh, you're not ready for, ready for, ready for, ready for me (Oh, no)

Go steady your, your heavy heart until you're free

Until you're ready for, ready for, ready for, ready for me

Until you're ready, ready for me

**[Bridge: Alessia Cara & Olivia Aita]**

I won't be waiting for you to come around, to come around

I won't be waiting for you, but I'll be around, I'll be around

**[Pre-Chorus: Alessia Cara]**

Don't you just push me out now

You got me into this mess, who's gonna get me out?

Why are you pulling me down

If you got things to figure out?

**[Chorus: Alessia Cara]**

Oh, you're not ready for, ready for, ready for, ready for me

(Ready for me, no, no, no)

Oh, you're not ready for, ready for, ready for, ready for me

(Ready for me, no, no, no)

Go steady your (Steady your), your heavy heart (Heavy heart)

Until you're free

Until you're ready for, ready for, ready for, ready for me

Until you're ready, ready for me

## References

1. ↑ https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/alessia-cara-new-single-ready-and-tour/
2. ↑ https://www.magic1053.com/entertainment/alessia-cara-live-the-center-july-2019/3pfRln1Q4XhwnIs7RMJIDK/
3. ↑ https://youtu.be/3SeHoFCH-gI
4. ↑ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/alessia-cara-new-song-ready-us-tour-861758/
5. ↑ https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8521055/alessia-cara-announces-this-summer-ep-ready
6. ↑ https://www.complex.com/music/2019/07/alessia-cara-releases-single-ready-upcoming-ep-the-summer