WRITTEN BY CHERRYLLE URBANO
For those who have had their backs against the wall, labeled, or told who they should be, Ellee Duke’s new single “fragile” is a rallying cry. Released on August 9th, this powerful track by the singer-songwriter, known for her collaborations with artists like Lukas Graham, JLO, and many more, celebrates the strength of standing up to bullies and embracing change.
Ellee Duke, who grew up in a religious Mormon household, found comfort in songwriting as a way to express herself when she felt she couldn’t do it any other way. By the age of 17, she had created a large portfolio of material that helped her spark her early success in the music industry. However, the pressures to conform to others' expectations made it challenging for Duke to stay true to herself. Reflecting on this journey, she shares, “So many of us struggle to figure out how to exist in a world that constantly tells us how to live and who to be… As a woman and an artist especially, you are constantly shamed and underestimated for ‘feeling too much.’ I want to show others [that] emotions are not a weakness; they are a superpower.”
“fragile” begins with only simple piano and Duke’s voice, which allows her vulnerability to resonate with her listeners, as they are able to hear her clearly. Her poignant lyricism stands out, especially in lines like, “I might look like a flower / but I could also be a bomb / about to go off.” This metaphor highlights the duality of fragility—while Duke may be seen as delicate like a flower, she also possesses the explosive strength of a bomb, redefining what it means to be fragile.
Duke further explains, “When I stood up for myself, I was verbally and emotionally attacked and bullied for months. I was told I was nothing but ‘weak and fragile,’ and ‘that's all I'd ever be.’ I have immense peace with people thinking they know me and labeling me as such. I know who I am, and I need no one's validation but my own.”
As someone who’s been called sensitive and emotional, I resonate deeply with the message Duke conveys in “fragile”. Emotions don’t weaken a person; they can empower them and be a pivoting moment into something greater. Ellee Duke’s new single “fragile” is a voice of strength for those facing adversity, a reminder that emotions are not a liability but a source of power.
If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text HOME to 741741. Help is available.