A down-tempo R&B love song,[REF] "H.A.T.E.U." is an acronym for "Having A Typical Emotional Upset" [REF].
In an interview for YouTube posted on December 24, 2009, Carey elaborated on the lyrical meaning, saying that it "really hits people in their hearts because it's like .. everybody has experienced when you love somebody, and they let you go, but you can't let them go.