Lola Young's Messy hits number one: My songs are as real as it gets.

Editor Stephen Hill 24th January 2025

South London singer Lola Young's unflinchingly honest hit "Messy" has risen to number one in the UK after a determined two-month climb, earning her a nomination for a Brit Award. Now that she has broken through, this is truly her year.   

Lola Young jumps into a car, laughter escaping as she showcases a dazzling new set of gold teeth. "I just got grills fitted," she shares with joy once she regains her composure. It’s clear she’s fully embracing her newfound style with enthusiasm.   

In a twist of fate, the screen suddenly freezes. The car she’s in is somewhere in the US, the reception has cut out, but this moment doesn’t halt her momentum. Young made her US TV debut on Jimmy Fallon’s talk show the night before, following a whirlwind trip to Australia, and she’s gearing up for a sold-out European tour. 

She’s sharing her journey via Zoom while her manager drives her to the next stop, embodying the life of a true pop star.  After years of perseverance—singing on the 2021 John Lewis advert, being on the BBC Sound of 2022 list, and garnering rave reviews for her two albums—"Messy" has granted her a bona fide hit. 

The song swept the charts at the end of 2024 and claimed the top spot on Friday. At just 24, she becomes the first current British artist to reach number one since Chase and Status and Stormzy in August, the youngest since Dave in 2022, and the youngest British woman to top the charts since Dua Lipa in 2017.  

Her number one debut comes just a day after her nomination for best pop act at the Brit Awards. "The response has been amazing and it's really exciting to see all the love that 'Messy' has been receiving," says Young after reconnecting. 

"I love the song; it’s deeply personal and it’s wonderful to see it resonate."  Released on Young’s second album, "This Wasn't Meant For You Anyway," last May, "Messy" gained momentum when superstar influencers Sofia Richie Grainge and Jake Shane shared a 14-second TikTok clip of themselves dancing to its chorus. 

The song has been featured in 1.3 million videos on the platform, from Kylie Jenner lip-syncing as a dog to a viral clip of an elderly woman enjoying life alongside the caption "94 and still messy."  

While acknowledging TikTok's role, Young insists the song’s success transcended social media. "That's not necessarily how it blew up. I would like to say that the song was gaining traction before TikTok, having its moment in various areas. 

A lot of elements contributed to its success."   She emphasizes that her focus is on creating music for herself and her fans. "But the Sofia Richie moment is just one piece of the puzzle." The track was indeed gaining traction before its TikTok virality, celebrated for its depth rather than as just a meme.   

Its lyrics address feelings of inadequacy, striking a chord with her audience. "I want to be me, is that not allowed?" she asks, channeling the universal struggle of balancing personal contradictions.   

Young expresses relief as she reflects on her journey. "I feel like it's the right time," she states. "It's been a minute, but it feels like everything is aligning perfectly for me." She has also recently collaborated on Tyler, the Creator’s well-received album "Chromakopia," marking yet another significant milestone in her inspiring career