Lily Allen and Tate McRae revive the revenge anthem

Switched on Pop

Vox Media Podcast Network

Music Interviews, Music History, Music, Music Commentary

4.6 • 2.7K Ratings

🗓️ 4 November 2025

⏱️ 35 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

They say the best revenge is living well, but if you’re a pop star going through a break up, that’s false. The best revenge is releasing a searing scorched-earth revenge banger that calls out your ex and, ideally, rides that vengeance to the top of the Billboard charts. That’s exactly what Tate McRae and Lily Allen have done in the wake of their high profile break ups; McRae with the track “TIT FOR TAT” and Allen with an entire album, West End Girl. On this episode of Switched On Pop, Charlie and Nate use these tracks to explore the art of the revenge song. Songs Discussed Tate McRae – TIT FOR TAT The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber – STAY Angelo Badalamenti – Twin Peaks Theme Fleetwood Mac – Dreams Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way Bizarrap, Shakira – Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Support for Switched on Pop comes from Sonos. Nothing quite makes a holiday gathering pop like turning on the music.
0:07.0	And if you're looking to set the mood, you should check out Sonos. With Sonos, movie nights feel bigger and more cinematic, while holiday parties come alive with music that flows from room to room.
0:19.0	It's the kind of sound that makes a house feel warm and connected during the season.
0:23.8	Want studio quality sound at home?
0:26.5	Explore Sonos speakers, soundbars, and more at sonos.com
0:31.6	and discover how easy it is to build your own whole home audio system.
0:43.6	Stage on the... your own whole home audio system. Welcome to Switched on Pop. I'm musicologist Nate Sloan.
0:48.2	And I'm songwriter Charlie Harding.
0:49.7	Charlie, you know what they say is the best revenge, right?
0:58.0	Revenge? I don't know. What's the best revenge right uh revenge i don't know what's the best revenge charlie come out what's the best revenge the best revenge is payback i'm failing the best revenge is living
1:08.5	well charlie living well I was not expecting that.
1:12.2	Yeah.
1:12.5	You've never heard that phrase?
1:14.1	I don't have too many crocheted pillows around my house with nice little sayings.
1:18.4	I'm shook that this is news to you and potentially will derail our entire conversation.
1:23.3	But nevertheless, tell me what that means to you.
1:25.4	The best revenge is living well.
1:32.9	Revenge is best dosed out in not paying attention to whoever wronged you and instead just living your life however you need to.
1:36.0	Just go on.
1:37.1	Have a great time.
1:37.9	And that's probably good advice, but not if you're a pop star going through a breakup.
1:45.0	Makes terrible pop songs.
	...

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