Who is Lily Allen’s Madeline about? Wait, I don’t actually want to know – pop needs its mysteries

Lily Allen's new album, West End Girl, details her divorce and an emotional affair by her husband. A song titled "Madeline" appears to be about the other woman. Within days of the album's release, a woman claiming to be Madeline was identified by the press. She stated she had a relationship with Allen's husband and expressed fear due to the public attention. Allen's song describes confronting Madeline about the affair, revealing a breakdown of their agreed-upon arrangement. The lyrics suggest a level of emotional entanglement beyond a casual encounter. Allen's character questions Madeline's husband's honesty regarding consent. The song includes text messages that allegedly were from the real Madeline. This situation highlights a recurring theme of the 'other woman' in music. However, the focus on gossip risks overshadowing the artistic expression of the song.