The Meaning Behind Post Malone’s Most Vulnerable Song—”Feeling Whitney”

When Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion came out the lack of melancholic acoustic songs featured on the album seemingly disappointed fans. After all, it is a country album, and country albums typically include those types of songs. However, if one is truly longing for a melancholic Malone song then go back to his early years. What song resides in those years is possibly his most sentimentally vulnerable tune ever-“Feeling Whitney.”

Released in 2016, “Feeling Whitney” came approximately a year after he launched his career with “White Iverson.” Appearing on Stoney(Delux), Malone pulled the rug out from under his fans and proved to them he is a musical Swiss army knife. The song is somber, soulful, and offers a sense of solace that Malone and all humanity know too well. “Feeling Whitney” is arguably one of Malone’s most well-written songs and it’s because he wears his heart on his sleeve.

Post Malone Opens Up

At this point in his career, Malone was a newcomer to fandom. Thus, fame, fortune, addiction, and stress all plagued his mind seemingly taking him to dark places. However, Malone’s song isn’t necessarily a victimization of self, rather, it’s a storm siren alerting people of his vices and urging them to be aware of their own. This can all be seen in the chorus.

To each their own and find peace in knowing

Ain’t always broken, but here’s to hoping

Show no emotion, against your coding

Just act as hard as you can

You don’t need a friend

Boy, you’re the man

Both a universal call for self-reflection and acknowledgment of self-worth, the chorus provides the song with a mere crumb of optimism. Despite lyrics such as, And I ain’t seen a light of day since, well, that’s not important / It’s been long, defining depression; the real sentiment Malone is trying to convey is hope. The hope that nothing lasts forever and the hope that one day one will get better.

Clever Poetic Vehicles

First off, the song’s title and the line, I was feeling Whitney, me and my homies sip Houston, is an allusion to Whitney Houston(who also suffered from substance abuse). In addition to this metaphorical vehicle, Malone also uses Mormons and Dwight Yoakam to subtextually articulate the plight addiction and fame gifted him at the time.

In essence, the song is a masterclass in songwriting and matches lyrics one would hear from Bob Dylan or Paul Simon. Not only does it make one reflect on their own internal hardships, but Malone also makes one work for these conclusions. As the subject matter is evident, but the supposed answers are not. However, like any song, the meaning lies between the ears of the listener. Give it a listen when your in the mood.

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