Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)
Fifth Harmony
Rising from the Ashes: The Empowering Anthem of Fifth Harmony's 'Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)'
Fifth Harmony's 'Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)' is an empowering anthem that speaks to the resilience and strength found in overcoming adversity. The song's lyrics convey a message of personal growth and empowerment following a challenging breakup. The opening lines, 'You know the bed feels warmer / Sleeping here alone,' set the stage for a narrative of self-discovery and independence. The protagonist finds solace and strength in solitude, dreaming in color and doing the things they want, free from the constraints of a past relationship.
The chorus, 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger / Stand a little taller,' encapsulates the core message of the song. It emphasizes that hardships and challenges, rather than breaking a person, can fortify them and make them more resilient. The repeated assertion that being alone does not equate to loneliness underscores the theme of self-reliance and inner strength. The lyrics 'Doesn't mean I'm over cause you're gone' further highlight that the end of a relationship is not the end of personal growth or happiness.
The song also touches on themes of revenge and vindication, as seen in lines like 'You didn't think that I'd come back / I'd come back swinging.' This suggests a triumphant return and a refusal to be defeated by past hurts. The gratitude expressed in 'Thanks to you I got a new thing started / Thanks to you I'm not the broken hearted' indicates a transformation where the protagonist acknowledges the role of past pain in their newfound strength. Ultimately, 'Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)' is a celebration of resilience, self-empowerment, and the journey to becoming a stronger, more independent individual.