What's The Real Meaning Of Camila Cabello And Ed Sheeran's Bam Bam? Here's What We Think
Camila Cabello is one of music's hottest stars. The Cuban American singer first rose to prominence in 2012 after auditioning for the American version of "The X-Factor." On the show, she was put in a girl group called Fifth Harmony and they released several hits, including "Worth It" and "Work From Home," per The New York Times. While in the group, Cabello felt suffocated by their relentless touring schedule and lack of creative freedom and decided to branch out on her own as a solo artist after four years in the group. Cabello's sudden departure in December 2016 shocked many fans and reportedly left her bandmates blindsided, but she has no regrets.
In the six years since she left the group, Cabello has released multiple hits, dabbled in acting, and preached about mental health and body positivity. As a songwriter, Cabello knows how to express herself and turn her feelings into songs. And her latest single, "Bam Bam," has everyone wondering if its lyrics offer insight into her breakup with fellow singer Shawn Mendes. Here's what we think.
Camila Cabello's new song is about moving on
Per Seventeen, Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes split in November 2021 after dating for two-and-a-half years. Like with any singers who break up with their partners, fans have been wondering if Cabello would respond with a song — and the singer did with the release of "Bam Bam" on March 4. The song, which features Ed Sheeran, is all about moving on after a breakup and references her relationship with Mendes.
"You said you hated the ocean, but you're surfin' now," Cabello sings in the first verse, referencing Mendes' newfound love for hitting the waves, according to Genius. "I said I'd love you for life, but I just sold our house / We were kids at the start, I guess we're grown-ups now," she adds, indicating that their relationship evolved as they got older.
Despite their breakup, Cabello is focused on making herself happy, singing, "Now I'm out dancin' with strangers / You could be casually datin' /Damn, it's all changin' so fast." Cabello continues celebrating her singledom in the chorus, singing, "Yeah, love came around and it knocked me down / But I'm back on my feet." Of course, how could we forget to mention the irresistible chants of "bam bam" in the chorus? Meanwhile, Sheeran alluded to a tough year in his verse, singing, "And on the surface, I held it together / But underneath, I sorta came unwound."
Camila Cabello says everyone can relate to 'Bam Bam'
While Camila Cabello has not officially confirmed that "Bam Bam" is about Shawn Mendes, she has said that the song is relatable on many levels because it's about overcoming hardship. In an Instagram post on the day of the single release, Cabello said the song is one of her favorites because of its lyrical content. "This is one of my favorite songs we've ever written. Your life doesn't have to be perfect for you to allow yourself joy," she said. "Even through the heartache, and the confusion, and the messiness.... we keep dancing."
In an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1's "New Music Daily," Cabello also said that she incorporated her mother's mantra in the song. "Something that my mom has always said to me, I remember my first two heartbreaks, me just being devastated. And my mom being like, 'You're devastated now, and you're going to be devastated the next time that this happens to you,'" she explained. "...And life proves you wrong every time ...She's like, 'Asi es la vida,' like, 'That's just the way life is.'"
We're glad to see Cabello taking her breakup in stride and rewarding her fans with another infectious bop.