Scissors

Album: Second Self (2025)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Scissors" is Julia Michaels' tongue-in-cheek yet empowering anthem about letting go of a relationship without looking back - if he wants to cut ties, she'll get the scissors.

    Released on January 10, 2025, it finds her leaning into emotional independence with a cutting metaphor and an even sharper sense of humor.
  • The track is about an ex-boyfriend. Michaels described it to Rolling Stone as "a funny way of saying that I'm unbothered. My skin is thick. I'm not pressed if someone wants to leave. Half the time I don't want them to stay either."
  • While she didn't name names, the song arrived two years after Michaels' high-profile breakup with fellow singer-songwriter JP Saxe, sparking speculation that the split may have inspired its themes. However, Michaels has never directly confirmed that "Scissors" is about him.
  • The single is a reunion of sorts: It marks the third collaboration between Michaels and Maren Morris, following 2020's "Circles Around This Town" (nominated for Best Country Song at the Grammys) and 2024's "Cut!" recorded for Morris' Intermission EP.
  • Michaels told Good Morning America it was Morris who asked her to collaborate again - and when Michaels jokingly mentioned she had a song called "Scissors" in the spirit of "Cut!" Morris was immediately on board.
  • Julia Michaels wrote the song with production handled by Monsters and Strangers and John Ryan.
  • The playful-yet-stylish music video was directed by Blythe Thomas, who also shot Michaels' "Little Did I Know" and "All Your Exes" clips. Thomas' other credits include Hozier's "Almost (Sweet Music)" and Kelsea Ballerini's "Club."
  • Julia Michaels wrote the chorus of "Scissors" in her bathtub. "I write a lot when I'm in the shower," she told American Songwriter. "I think it's because I'm not on my phone. I don't have anybody trying to get to me. I have no responsibilities. I can self-reflect. I can be in there for however long I want to be in there. A lot of times, my self-reflection will end up being a song. And I was thinking about relationships that I had in my life, not just romantic ones, but platonic ones. I was just thinking about cutting people out. Like, 'yeah, if you want to cut ties, I'll get the scissors.'"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Meshell Ndegeocello

Meshell NdegeocelloSongwriter Interviews

Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?

Which Songs are About Drugs?Fact or Fiction

"25 or 6 to 4" to "Semi-Charmed Life" - see if you can spot the songs that are really about drugs.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.