Ms. Lauryn Hill, Ex-Factor | Throwback Thursday 💎

Taking it back to 1998, we look to Ms. Lauryn Hill on Throwback Thursday (TBT) with the timeless classic, “Ex-Factor.”   

Throwback Thursday (TBT) looks back at songs that have truly captivated or stuck with me for whatever reason.  In some cases, there’s a compelling story or memorable happening behind the fan-girling.  For the third TBT, dated April 16, 2020, we look to Grammy-winning hip-hop/R&B musician, Lauryn Hill and soulful “Ex-Factor” from 1998.

“Tell me, who I have to be / To get some reciprocity.” Those timeless lyrics hail from one of the truly great classics about exes, sigh. Even north of two decades since the release of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, both the album, and the particular single carry ample weight.  Focusing only on the song itself, “Ex-Factor” is a prime example of the plight of love, as well as how potent songs incorporating break ups can truly be.

At one point, Hill sings, “And when I try to walk away / You’d hurt yourself to make me stay / This is crazy.” Crazy indeed Lauryn, but, again, exes and broken-off relationship serve among the preeminent topics in music regardless of genre.  Yes, “Doo Wop (That Thing)” remains the crowning achievement (and number one hit) from her sole studio album, but you can totally feel Hill’s struggle with love – it’s so relatable on “Ex-Factor.” My favorite section of the song is the ‘breakdown’:

“(Care) Care for me, care for me
I know you care for me
(There) There for me, there for me
Said you’d be there for me
(Cry) Cry for me, cry for me
You said you’d die for me
(Give) Give to me, give to me
Why won’t you live for me?”

What better way to throwback than with “Ex-Factor?”

Lauryn Hill • The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill • Ruffhouse • 1998 

Photo Credit: Brent Faulkner, kalhh, The Musical Hype, Pixabay, Prettysleepy, Ruffhouse