Ex-Wives Lyrics - Six

Cover for Six album
Six Lyrics
  1. Ex-Wives - Company
  2. No Way - Catherine of Aragon and Company
  3. Anne Boleyn (Interlude) - Company minus Anne Boleyn
  4. Don't Lose Ur Head - Anne Boleyn and Company
  5. Heart of Stone - Jane Seymour and Company
  6. Haus of Holbein - Company
  7. Get Down - Anna of Cleves and Company
  8. All You Wanna Do - Katherine Howard and Company
  9. I Don't Need Your Love - Catherine Parr and Company
  10. Six - Company
  11. Megasix - Company

Ex-Wives Lyrics

Company

Ex-Wives

[Catherine Of Aragon:]
Divorced

[Anne Boleyn:]
Beheaded

[Jane Seymour:]
Died

[Anne Of Cleves:]
Divorced

[Katherine Howard:]
Beheaded

[Catherine Parr:]
Survived

[Catherine Of Aragon:]
And tonight we are

[All:]
Live

[Catherine Of Aragon:]
Listen up, let me tell you a story

[Anne Boleyn:]
A story that you think
You've heard before

[Jane Seymour:]
We know you know our names
And our fame and our faces

[Anne Of Cleves:]
Know all about the glories
And the disgraces

[Katherine Howard:]
I'm done 'cause all this time
I've been just one word
In a stupid rhyme

[Catherine Parr:]
So I picked up a pen and a microphone

[All:]
History's about to get overthrown

[Catherine Of Aragon:]
Divorced

[Anne Boleyn:]
Beheaded

[Jane Seymour:]
Died

[Anne Of Cleves:]
Divorced

[Katherine Howard:]
Beheaded

[Catherine Parr:]
Survived

[All:]
But just for you tonight
We're divorced, beheaded
LIVE!
Welcome to the show
To the historemix
Switching up the flow
As we add the prefix
Everybody knows that
We used to be six wives
Raising up the roof
Till we hit the ceiling
Get ready for the truth
That we'll be revealing
Everybody knows
That we used to be six wives
...but now we're ex-wives

[Catherine Of Aragon:]
All you ever hear
And read about

[Anne Boleyn:]
Is our ex and the way it ended

[Jane Seymour:]
But a pair doesn't beat a royal flush

[Anne Of Cleves:]
You're gonna find out
How we got unfriended

[Katherine Howard:]
Tonight we gonna do ourselves justice
'Cause we're taking you to court

[Catherine Parr:]
Every Tudor Rose has its thorns
And you're gonna hear 'em live in consort

[Catherine Of Aragon:]
Divorced

[Anne Boleyn:]
Beheaded

[Jane Seymour:]
Died

[Anne Of Cleves:]
Divorced

[Katherine Howard:]
Beheaded

[Catherine Parr:]
Survived

[All:]
But just for you tonight
We're divorced, beheaded
Live!
Welcome to the show
To the historemix
Switching up the flow
As we add the prefix
Everybody knows that
We used to be six wives
Dancing to the beat
Till the break of day. Once
We're done, we'll start again
Like it's the Renaissance
Everybody knows
That we used to be six wives
...but now we're ex-wives

Divorced

[Catherine Of Aragon:]
My name is Catherine Of Aragon
Was married 24 years, I'm a paragon
Of royalty, my loyalty is to the Vatican
So if you try to dump me
You won't try that again

[All:]
Beheaded

[Anne Boleyn:]
I'm that Boleyn girl
And I'm up next, see
I broke England from the Church
Yeah, I'm that sexy
Why did I lose my head?
Well my sleeves may be green
But my lipstick's red!

[All:]
Died

[Jane Seymour:]
Jane Seymour, the only one he truly loved

[All:]
Rude

[Jane Seymour:]
When my son was newly born
I died, but I'm not what I seem
Or am I?
Stick around and you'll
Suddenly see more...

[All:]
Divorced

[Anne Of Cleves:]
Ich bin Anna of Cleves

[All:]
Ja

[Anne Of Cleves:]
When he saw my portrait he was like...

[All:]
Jaa

[Anne Of Cleves:]
But I didn't look as good
As I did in my pic
Funny how we all discuss that
But never Henry's little...

[Katherine Howard:]
Prick up your ears, I'm the Katherine
Who lost her head

[All:]
Beheaded

[Katherine Howard:]
For my promiscuity outside of wed
Lock up your husbands
Lock up your sons
K Howard is here
And the fun's begun

[All:]
Survived

[Catherine Parr:]
Five down, I'm the final wife
I saw him to the end of his life
I'm the survivor, Catherine Parr
I bet you wanna know how I got this far
I said I bet you wanna know
How we got this far

[All:]
Do you wanna know how we got this far?
Then welcome to the show
To the historemix
Switching up the flow
As we add the prefix
Everybody knows that
We used to be six wives
Get your hands up
Get this party buzzing
You want a queen Bee
Well there's half a dozen
Everybody knows that
We used to be six wives
But now we're ex-wives!

One
Two
Three
Four
Five

SIX!


Song Analysis of "Ex-Wives" from Six: The Musical

Ex-Wives performance by SIX Cast
SIX Cast performing 'Ex-Wives' in the musical's opening number.

Song Credits:

  • Featuring Artist(s): Christina Modestou, Renée Lamb, Natalie Paris, Genesis Lynea, Aimie Atkinson, Izuka Hoyle
  • Producer(s): Kenny Wax
  • Composer: Toby Marlow, Lucy Moss
  • Writer: Toby Marlow, Lucy Moss
  • Release Date: September 12, 2018
  • Label: 6 Music, Loudmouth Music, Ex-Wives Ltd
  • Musical Genre: Pop, Musical Theatre
  • Album: Six: The Musical (Studio Cast Recording)
  • Language(s): English
  • Mood: Empowering, Energetic

Song Meaning

SIX Cast introducing the six queens
Introduction of the six queens in 'Ex-Wives' setting the stage for their stories.
"Ex-Wives" serves as the dynamic opening number of Six: The Musical, introducing audiences to the six wives of Henry VIII. Each queen presents a brief overview of her life and marriage, challenging the traditional narrative that defines them solely by their relationship to Henry. The song begins with a rhythmic chant: Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived This mnemonic summarizes the fates of the queens, a rhyme familiar to many from history lessons. However, the queens express frustration at being reduced to this simplistic summary, signaling their intent to reclaim their stories. Catherine of Aragon asserts her resilience: All you ever hear and read about is our ex and the way it ended Anne Boleyn's playful defiance shines through: I'm that Boleyn girl, and I'm up next, see, I broke England from the church, yeah, I'm that sexy Jane Seymour highlights her role as the mother of Henry's only male heir: Jane Seymour, the only one he truly loved Anna of Cleves addresses the discrepancy between her portrait and reality: When he saw my portrait, he was like, "Ja!" Katherine Howard reflects on her youthful indiscretions: For my promiscuity outside of wed Catherine Parr emphasizes her survival and intellect: I saw him to the end of his life, I'm the survivor, Catherine Parr The song's clever wordplay and modern language infuse historical narratives with contemporary relevance, allowing each queen to present her perspective with wit and individuality.

Songs with Similar Themes

SIX Cast performing 'Ex-Wives' live
A live performance of 'Ex-Wives' by the SIX Cast, showcasing their energy and unity.
  1. "Cell Block Tango" from Chicago: Both songs feature women telling their stories, challenging societal judgments, and asserting their identities beyond their relationships with men.
  2. "Independent Women" by Destiny's Child: This anthem celebrates female independence and empowerment, aligning with the themes of self-assertion found in "Ex-Wives."
  3. "Survivor" by Destiny's Child: Echoing the resilience of the queens, this song emphasizes overcoming adversity and emerging stronger.

Questions and Answers

Why do the queens refer to themselves as "ex-wives" rather than "wives"?
By identifying as "ex-wives," they emphasize their individuality beyond their marriages to Henry VIII, asserting their own identities and stories.
How does "Ex-Wives" set the tone for the rest of the musical?
The song establishes a modern, empowering narrative, blending historical context with contemporary language and music styles, setting the stage for each queen to share her unique story.
What is the significance of the line "History's about to get overthrown"?
This line signifies the queens' intent to challenge traditional historical narratives that have marginalized their individual stories, aiming to reclaim and retell their histories from their own perspectives.

Awards and Chart Positions

SIX Cast during 'Ex-Wives' performance
The SIX Cast delivering a powerful performance of 'Ex-Wives,' captivating the audience.
While "Ex-Wives" itself did not chart independently, Six: The Musical has received critical acclaim, including multiple Tony Award nominations and an Olivier Award for Best New Musical. The original cast recording has also achieved significant streaming success.

Fan and Media Reactions

Fans and critics alike have praised "Ex-Wives" for its catchy composition and innovative storytelling. The song's ability to blend historical facts with contemporary music styles has resonated with audiences, leading to sold-out performances and a strong fan following.
Six twists the words "history" and "his story" as the queens announce they're taking back their fame and glory.
David Magazine
The wisecracking wordplay within the lyrics and dialogue borders on genius.
David Magazine


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