5 Reasons Why Jessie Murph's "How Could You" Is Her Most Vulnerable And Powerful Track To Date

Jessie Murph’s 2022 single, "How Could You," remains one of the most discussed and emotionally resonant tracks in her burgeoning discography, a song the artist herself has described as the most honest and vulnerable piece of music she has ever released. Released on October 14, 2022, the track quickly became a fan favorite, cementing Murph's reputation as a powerhouse vocalist unafraid to explore the darkest corners of heartbreak and betrayal.

This deep-dive analysis, updated for late 2024, explores the song's raw inspiration, its unique place within her "dirty pop" genre-blending style, and how it laid the foundation for her subsequent success, including her 2024 debut album, That Ain't No Man That's the Devil. The song's intensity is rooted in a deeply personal and traumatic experience, which Murph channeled into a gripping narrative that resonates with anyone who has felt the sting of profound betrayal.

Jessie Murph: Biography and Career Highlights

Jessie Murph is an American singer and songwriter known for her emotive, genre-blending sound that she and critics have dubbed "dirty pop." Her music is a unique fusion of Country, Pop, Alternative, Hip-Hop, Trap, and R&B, reflecting her diverse influences, which notably include both Adele and Drake.

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• Full Name: Jessie Murph
• Born: September 22, 2004
• Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee (with an upbringing in Alabama)
• Discovery: Murph gained initial traction by uploading vlogs and cover songs to platforms like TikTok and YouTube, quickly building a dedicated following.
• Mixtape Debut: drowning (Released: February 10, 2023). This 11-track project featured popular singles like "Always Been You," "Where Do You Go," "About You," "If I Died Last Night," and the focus of this article, "How Could You."
• Debut Studio Album: That Ain't No Man That's the Devil (Released: September 6, 2024). The album features major collaborations with artists such as Jelly Roll, Teddy Swims, Koe Wetzel, and Bailey Zimmerman.
• Sophomore Album: Murph is already set to release her second studio album, Sex Hysteria, in 2025, a testament to her prolific output.
• Key Collaborations: Beyond her album features, Murph has also collaborated with major names like Diplo and Polo G on the track "Heartbroken."

The Raw Inspiration: Why "How Could You" Is So Vulnerable

The enduring power of "How Could You" lies in its brutal honesty. The song is not a generalized breakup anthem; it is a direct confrontation with a specific, deeply painful event. Jessie Murph has been explicit about the track’s origins, stating it was written about a "traumatic experience" she endured.

In her own words, "‘How Could You’ is the most honest and vulnerable song I've ever released—let alone ever written." She further explained that the emotion stems from the feeling of having your "sh*t robbed" and being heartbroken, a visceral sense of violation and profound emotional loss. This context elevates the song from simple pop music to a piece of confessional art, which is why it resonated so strongly with her audience.

The lyrics are sharp and accusatory, cutting through the pain to ask the essential, agonizing question of betrayal. The track’s production, which blends the grit of her country roots with a modern, trap-influenced beat, perfectly complements the emotional turmoil of the narrative. This fusion is a signature of her "dirty pop" style, allowing the raw, country-tinged vocal delivery to punch through the contemporary soundscape.

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The Impact and Legacy of the Single

While "How Could You" was released as a standalone single, its success and emotional depth made it a cornerstone of her 2023 mixtape, drowning. The track’s performance demonstrated Murph's growing commercial appeal and the public's appetite for her unfiltered storytelling.

Chart Performance and Commercial Success

Despite not cracking the main Billboard Hot 100 chart, "How Could You" achieved a significant milestone by peaking at number nine on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. The Bubbling Under chart is essentially an extension of the Hot 100, tracking the best-performing songs that have not yet reached the main chart, indicating a strong commercial presence and consistent streaming figures. Its success was driven largely by organic growth on social media platforms, a common trajectory for artists discovered via TikTok and YouTube.

Setting the Stage for Future Projects

The raw, confessional style of "How Could You" is a blueprint for the emotional tone of her subsequent work. The themes of heartbreak, resilience, and personal trauma are further explored in her debut album, That Ain't No Man That's the Devil, which features collaborations with major country and crossover artists like Jelly Roll and Teddy Swims. Tracks like "Blue Strips" and "Wild Ones" continue to showcase her ability to blend genres while maintaining a core of emotional authenticity, a trait first fully realized in "How Could You."

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The continued buzz around her upcoming 2025 album, Sex Hysteria, suggests that fans are eager for more of the intense, honest storytelling that made "How Could You" a viral and critical success. The track remains a powerful live staple, connecting with audiences who appreciate a musician who doesn't shy away from the pain behind the performance.

"How Could You" as a Key to Understanding Jessie Murph's Artistry

To truly understand Jessie Murph's artistic vision, one must appreciate the intensity of "How Could You." The song is a perfect encapsulation of her brand: a blend of Southern grit and modern production, delivered with a vocal performance that is both fragile and fierce. It is a defining moment for the artist, marking her transition from a social media personality to a serious, confessional songwriter.

The track's lasting legacy is its role in establishing the "dirty pop" sound as a legitimate, commercially viable genre. By combining the narrative depth of Country music with the production techniques of Trap and Pop, Murph created a sound that is entirely her own. "How Could You" is more than a song; it's a therapeutic release for the artist and a powerful anthem for anyone recovering from a profound betrayal.