- ‘I Wanna Thank Me’, featuring Niecy Nash-Betts, is a self-love anthem, while ‘Rollin’ critiques society’s different expectations for men and women
Singer Meghan Trainor performs on NBC’s “Today” show in Rockefeller Plaza in New York City on June 7, 2024. Photo: ReutersPop sensation Meghan Trainor is again making waves with her latest album, Timeless. Released on June 7, the 16-track collection features collaborations with T-Pain and Niecy Nash-Betts. It explores the themes that have become hallmarks of Trainor’s music: self-empowerment, mental health and self-care, and female empowerment.
The message of female self-empowerment is highlighted in the track “I Wanna Thank Me,” featuring Niecy Nash-Betts. Reflecting on her inspiration for the track with MNPR magazine – Nash-Betts’ Emmy awards acceptance speech earlier this year – Trainor shared, “I think we often forget to take time to appreciate the hard work we’ve done – when I heard Niecy’s speech at the Emmys, I was so moved and so inspired. I knew I had to write a song about it.”
This self-love anthem serves as a powerful reminder to listeners that our mental well-being should come first, especially in a society obsessed with popularity and social status. Trainor’s self-love anthem borrows a few phrases from Nash-Betts’ speech: “You know who I wanna thank? Me, for believing in me and doing what they said I could not do.”
Throughout the album, Trainor explores a feminist perspective on dating and emotional disconnection in relationships, particularly focusing on male behaviour and its impact. This is evident in the song “Forget How to Love”, such as when she sings, “All you do is make me feel unworthy,” highlighting the effect that neglect and emotional distance in a relationship can have on a person.
This could be interpreted as her call to partners to be more emotionally present and supportive of their loved ones. As a listener, the perspective of this song was very refreshing and gave insight into Trainor’s personal views.
This idea of societal double standards is further explored in “Rollin,” which delves into the contrasting expectations placed on men and women in society and critiques men for their misogynistic attitudes. In the song, Trainor comments on how her eyes roll when she encounters “another day, another man tryna mansplain something.” She encourages women to stand up for themselves in the face of adversity, as seen in the line, “This one’s for the girls out there with opinions”.
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Timeless offers an introspective look into Meghan Trainor’s life and her observations on societal pressures and expectations. The album highlights the impact of misogyny and aims to inspire future generations to embrace their voices and challenge societal norms.
Through her empowering anthems, Trainor encourages women to stand up for themselves, speak out against sexism, and be true to who they are. The recurring themes of emotional disconnection and the call for mutual respect in relationships underscore Trainor’s message of empowerment and the importance of emotional intimacy and attentiveness.