An Introduction to Carly Rae Jepsen
If you were a teenager in the early 2010s, you probably remember Carly Rae Jepsen’s hit song “Call Me Maybe.” The Canadian singer-songwriter first gained popularity after finishing third on the fifth season of Canadian Idol in 2007. Although her debut album Tug of War received critical acclaim, it didn’t perform well commercially. It wasn’t until the release of “Call Me Maybe” in 2012 that Jepsen became a household name.
But You Didn’t Have To Cut Me Off
“Call Me Maybe” may have been Jepsen’s biggest hit, but “Cut to the Feeling” and “I Really Like You” were also popular. However, in this article, we’re going to focus on “Call Me Maybe’s” lesser-known cousin: “Call Me Maybe’s” lesser-known cousin: “Good Time” by Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen. More specifically, we’re going to analyze a line from that song that went viral on TikTok in 2021: “But you didn’t have to cut me off.”
The Story Behind the Lyrics
“Good Time” was released in 2012 and was written by Adam Young (Owl City), Brian Lee, and Matt Thiessen. According to Young, the song is about “just having a good time with your friends and not worrying about anything else,” and the lyrics reflect that sentiment.
The line “But you didn’t have to cut me off” is sung by Jepsen in the chorus. While the lyrics may seem random, they actually have a deeper meaning. In an interview with MTV News, Jepsen revealed that the line was inspired by a real-life experience:
“The guy I had been dating for a year and a half, who I was in love with, totally cut me off out of nowhere, and I never heard from him again. It was a bit of a harsh and a very sad reality that came to be, but it inspired me to write the line, ‘But you didn’t have to cut me off.'”
The Line Goes Viral on TikTok
In 2021, the line “But you didn’t have to cut me off” went viral on TikTok. Users would lip-sync to the line and then transition to a different outfit or hairstyle, symbolizing a new start after a breakup. The trend became so popular that Jepsen herself joined in on the fun and posted her own video on TikTok.
Conclusion
“But you didn’t have to cut me off” may just be one line from a song, but it has resonated with many people and has become a symbol of moving on after a breakup. It’s a testament to the power of music and how a simple phrase can have a profound impact on people’s lives.
