Olly Murs says he ‘can’t believe’ people thought ‘I Hate You When You’re Drunk’ lyrics were ‘controlling’

Sign up to Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Olly Murs has responded to criticism of the “cruel” lyrics to his new song “I Hate You When You’re Drunk”. “I mean, it’s obviously upsetting to think that people took it that way because it was not that intention,” Murs told hosts Jon Kay and Sally Nugent. It was just a song that we really related with at that time.” Murs and fiancée Amelia Tank in October Echoing that he was “really upset” by the way the lyrics were misunderstood, Murs continued: “I can’t believe people have taken it that way, which is a shame as I think the song is really great. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up In “I Hate You When You’re Drunk”, Murs opens the song with the words: “Oh, you’re slurrin’ all your words, there’s make-up on my shirt / You’re dancin’ on the tables, can’t you see / That you look like a mess and you’re singin’ Whitney?” The lyrics were criticised by Self Esteem, who shared a screenshot of them with the words: “Presented without comment.” DJ Shaun Keaveny wrote: “Olly Murs is quite the sad, controlling boyfriend according to the lyrics of his new song, ‘I Hate You When You’re Drunk’.