By Ava Gilva JRN 101 Student
Contemplating the death of a partner is an often-dreaded thought when in a romantic relationship. Ashe’s “I Hope You Die First” is a vulnerable track that delves into this troubling idea.
Ashlyn Rae Willson, known professionally as Ashe, is an American singer and songwriter who experienced success for her 2019 hit “Moral of the Story,” which gained recognition through its feature in the Netflix sequel, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You.
While the song’s success is often associated with the movie, Ashe deserves recognition for the talented storytelling and passionate emotions found in her lyrics of other works. Her music holds vivid depth, and “I Hope You Die First” is a prime example of her ability to convey profound emotions through song.
Within her album Willson, “I Hope You Die First” immediately stands out with its strikingly bold title, sparking the listener’s curiosity about its deeper meaning. The song opens with Ashe reflecting on the multiple things her partner does first before her, such as being “first to dance and first to say, ‘Goodnight.’” She sings these lyrics in a blissful way, lightly speaking of her love. The tone is gentle and passionate, and it stays for the entirety of the song.
When Ashe sings, “I don’t want to die before you,” the seemingly harsh statement is softened by her airy voice, leaving an effect of pure honesty rather than rudeness.
The song’s emotional depth is further revealed in lines such as, “I should be there to hold your hand / I’ll be here to say, ‘Goodbye.’” Here, Ashe expresses a wish to be present and comforting during her partner’s final moments. The message conveyed is of love and attentiveness because if her partner were to die first, she can protect him from the feeling of loneliness that accompanies that scenario. These lyrics are filled with vulnerability through every breathy note, maintaining the gentle tone.
She continues with, “I’ll quit smoking everyday / Yeah I’ll get inventive, I’ve got incentive, you make me wanna change,” indicating her willingness to improve herself for the sake of outliving her partner. This selflessness further enforces her hope of sparing him any heartache if she were to die first.
The song concludes with the touching line, “If I don’t make it, please don’t rush for me / I’ll be waiting,” followed by a delicate outro of fading violins. These lyrics perfectly wrap up the end to this loving, selfless song, expressing a hope that her partner will not be hurried by her death but will instead find comfort in knowing she will be waiting for him.
Ashe’s “I Hope You Die First” is a deeply moving exploration of compassion and love whilst contemplating the unsettling thought of a partner’s death. Through the passionate yet gentle lyrics, Ashe presents this difficult subject with grace and sincerity.
Velocity 
Leave a comment