If you're not already familiar with London pop trio FLO, it's time to get acquainted. Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma and Renée Downer are the latest winners of the Brit Rising Star Award, which previously won Adele Adele, Florence + the Machine and Sam Fender, among others. Since its initial release in March 2022, the momentum behind the band’s debut single “Cardboard Box” hasn’t slowed down. Judging from the song's irresistibly catchy spin on a relationship shattered by a jaw-dropping discovery, it's easy to see why. But what is this hit song, which has been played more than 17 million times on Spotify, really about?
Following the long tradition of cathartic breakup songs, FLO's "Cardboard Box" borrows from the act of bundling an ex's belongings into a box and then promptly tossing them out a window, door, or nearest exit. Here, the narrator's heartbreak is triggered by the discovery of another woman's underwear in the bathroom and the decision to act once and for all.
"I think we can all relate to getting over someone and getting over a relationship, so, we just like learn from that," Renee explained in an interview with Genius , before adding that some aspects of the song are fictional. "I didn't see anyone's pants on the floor, did you?" she asked her bandmates, referring to the gripping revelation at the end of the first verse. "I better not, because one day I'm going to..." Jodja joked.
It’s an unspoken rule that raising a disapproving mom is the ultimate card in a breakup song — just look at Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself” and its cruel line “My mom doesn’t like you, she Like everyone." Meanwhile, the London trio subverts a well-worn trope: "Never liked your mom, so I guess she's blocked." Ouch!
The band explains that the song's distinctive R'n'B sound - not to mention its bouncy, one-liner-filled lyrics - is a deliberate throwback to the glory days of girl-pop bands in the '90s. FLO co-wrote the song with hit pop writer MNEK, a regular collaborator with Little Mix, Sugababes and Dua Lipa. FLO previously told NME that they cherish the natural chemistry they have as a girl group. "We didn't have to sell our friendship or force it to be presented in a real way, it just came naturally to us," Jorgia said. “Since girl groups are basically non-existent right now, we have an opportunity to really make music that people can feel and connect with and bring back that sound,” Renee added. “We want to sell the arena and take over completely!”
Check out the full lyrics below:
[Poem 1: Stella]
i got a confession
I think I don't need you anymore
no room for questions
I saw her panties on the bathroom floor
[Pre-Chorus: Stella]
I've endured this for too long
You won't change, boy
What's the point of pestering me?
We're really screwed
[Chorus: All]
So I'll put your shit in a cardboard box
Change my number and change my locks
When you can't get in, know your heart will stop beating
You might cry, but boy, I don't
I'll put your shit in a cardboard box
Change my number and change my locks
Never liked your mom so I guess she's blocked
You might cry, but boy, I don't
[Section 2: Joya, Stella, everyone]
pressure (pressure)
Did you hear that I stuttered a bit?
I see it as a blessing (consider it a blessing)
Come on, get your shit because you can go to her place, I
[Pre-Chorus: Jorgia]
Hope she's worth my time
But can she do it like me?
You need someone to put you back in line
So you will see what I will do
[Chorus: All, Stella, Renee and Joya]
I'll put your shit in a cardboard box
Change my number and change my locks
When you can't get in, know your heart will stop beating
You might be crying, but boy, I'm not (Boy, you might be crying, but I'm not)
I'll put your shit in a cardboard box (I'll put your shit in a cardboard box)
Change my number, I am changing locks (change all locks now)
Never liked your mom so I guess she's blocked (oh wow)
You might cry, but boy, I didn't (Boy, I didn't)
[Bridge: Renee & Jorja]
(Yeah yeah)
So I'll put your jeans next to the dream you sold me
Believing in karma is B, she will teach
Say I'm going to throw your gold chain and your raleigh into the sewer
Maybe just text your friends
[Chorus: All, Renee, Stella and Jorja]
I'll put your shit in a cardboard box (Oh, ah)
Change my number, I want to change the lock (Change the lock, yeah)
When you can't get in, know your heart will stop beating
You might cry, but boy, I don't (No, no)
I'll put your shit in a cardboard box (oh)
Change my number and change lock (lock)
Never liked your mom so I guess she's blocked (she's blocked)
You might cry, but boy, I don't (ugh)
[Ending: Renee and everyone]
(So I put your jeans next to the dream you sold me)
(Mimi Mi may just text your friends)
You might cry, but boy, I don't
