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explaining the metaphors of all melanie martinez’s songs; a thread 
antis: im making this cause im bored and like literacy, such as metaphors, not to clear her name but i guess that works too
First we are starting off with the Crybaby Era 
Melanie described the Crybaby character and the album as “a child who experiences adult things”.
Melanie described the Crybaby character and the album as “a child who experiences adult things”.
Track 1; Crybaby
Crybaby quite literally means what the title means, an overly sensetive person.
Melanie explains that while growing up, she was called this for getting emotional over small things.
“Your heart's too big for your body”
Crybaby quite literally means what the title means, an overly sensetive person.
Melanie explains that while growing up, she was called this for getting emotional over small things.
“Your heart's too big for your body”
While the music video is one of the most controversial things in melanies discography due to its “child aesthetic”, no where is she “s3xualizing babies”
Track 2; Dollhouse
Dollhouse is about a picture perfect family that is far from perfect.
She uses “doll people” as a metaphor for perfect looking people.
Cry baby is explaining to an outside “girl” how her family actually is.
“Don't let them see what goes down in the kitchen”
Dollhouse is about a picture perfect family that is far from perfect.
She uses “doll people” as a metaphor for perfect looking people.
Cry baby is explaining to an outside “girl” how her family actually is.
“Don't let them see what goes down in the kitchen”
Melanie also said this is about how people view celebrities: “People put them in glass boxes and think they are perfect and when something happens that shows when they are humans, people don't like that”
Track 3; Sippy Cup
Sippy Cup is a follow up to Dollhouse.
Just because you are pouring “syrup”, or alcohol, into a sippy cup, doesn’t ignore the fact that its still alcohol. Or a metaphor for lacking to acknowledge reality.
“Kids are still depressed when you dress them up”
Sippy Cup is a follow up to Dollhouse.
Just because you are pouring “syrup”, or alcohol, into a sippy cup, doesn’t ignore the fact that its still alcohol. Or a metaphor for lacking to acknowledge reality.
“Kids are still depressed when you dress them up”
Track 4; Carousel
Carousel is about first love interests. Cry baby wants to keep it magical because its her first relationship, but is frustrated when she realizes she cannot grow in this one-sided relationship.
“But I feel like I'm glued on tight to this carousel”
Carousel is about first love interests. Cry baby wants to keep it magical because its her first relationship, but is frustrated when she realizes she cannot grow in this one-sided relationship.
“But I feel like I'm glued on tight to this carousel”
Track 5; Alphabet Boy
Alphabet Boy is a follow-up to Carousel. Cry baby tries to explain she is just as smart as the man, who always tried to put himself above in a relationship or act more important.
“I know my ABC's, yet you keep teaching me”
Alphabet Boy is a follow-up to Carousel. Cry baby tries to explain she is just as smart as the man, who always tried to put himself above in a relationship or act more important.
“I know my ABC's, yet you keep teaching me”
This song not only uses a metaphor, but uses alliteration. Each line in a verse is based an A,B, C, and D.
This is also based on a real life experience of Melanie’s. The Man, who studied music in college, tried to teach melanie a certain way to write music, like a formula.
This is also based on a real life experience of Melanie’s. The Man, who studied music in college, tried to teach melanie a certain way to write music, like a formula.
Track 6; Soap
Soap is simply about feeling vulnerable and afraid of expressing her feelings, such as love.
It relates to an older practice where adults would wash out the mouths of bad kids with a bar of soap.
“God I wish I never spoke, now I gotta wash my mouth out with soap”
Soap is simply about feeling vulnerable and afraid of expressing her feelings, such as love.
It relates to an older practice where adults would wash out the mouths of bad kids with a bar of soap.
“God I wish I never spoke, now I gotta wash my mouth out with soap”
Track 7; Training Wheels
Training Wheels is a follow up to Soap. In Training Wheels, Cry Baby explains how she wants to move on to the next level of their relationship, by taking off the “training wheels”.
“Scared to take them off but they're so worn down”
Training Wheels is a follow up to Soap. In Training Wheels, Cry Baby explains how she wants to move on to the next level of their relationship, by taking off the “training wheels”.
“Scared to take them off but they're so worn down”
One controversial lyrics I’d like to explain is: “Fully undressed, no training wheels left for you”
Fully Undressed is not meant to be taken in a sexual way. Its meant to show that she wants to feel more vulnerable by “taking it all off” with him.
Fully Undressed is not meant to be taken in a sexual way. Its meant to show that she wants to feel more vulnerable by “taking it all off” with him.
Track 8; Pity Party
Pity Party means “why did I put so much effort into everything just to be alone”
She lies to herself to lessen the pain of being alone by “getting all the cake”
“It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to”
Pity Party means “why did I put so much effort into everything just to be alone”
She lies to herself to lessen the pain of being alone by “getting all the cake”
“It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to”
“I'm laughing, I'm crying, It feels like I'm dying” is a reference to her experiencing all her emotions.
Track 9; Tag, You’re It
Tw// Kidnapping
Tag, You’re It is a much darker, serious song that the previous 8 we have talked about.
Tag, You’re It is a metaphor for being “Tagged”, or kidnapped.
“I've got some candy for you inside”
Tw// Kidnapping
Tag, You’re It is a much darker, serious song that the previous 8 we have talked about.
Tag, You’re It is a metaphor for being “Tagged”, or kidnapped.
“I've got some candy for you inside”
Track 10; Milk and Cookies
Milk and Cookies is a follow up to Tag, You’re It. In this song she talks about poisoning her kidnapper and escaping.
This song is set in a lullaby, like she is singing him to “sleep”, or death.
“1, 2, melatonin is coming for you”
Milk and Cookies is a follow up to Tag, You’re It. In this song she talks about poisoning her kidnapper and escaping.
This song is set in a lullaby, like she is singing him to “sleep”, or death.
“1, 2, melatonin is coming for you”
While both of these song are mainly about storyline, the message is to shine light on how kids can be persuaded, using ice cream in Tag, You’re It.
Track 11; Pacify Her
Pacify Her is Cry Baby trying to free a boy from a toxic relationship.
The term “Pacify Her” is a metaphor for “shut her up” to the girl using her looks to date this boy that truly doesn’t have feeling for her.
“But was he yours if he wanted me so bad?”
Pacify Her is Cry Baby trying to free a boy from a toxic relationship.
The term “Pacify Her” is a metaphor for “shut her up” to the girl using her looks to date this boy that truly doesn’t have feeling for her.
“But was he yours if he wanted me so bad?”
One controversial topic is “Basic Bitch”. Her character is used to express someone who grew up too quickly and is overall rude and judgemental, not to “tear other women down”
Track 12; Mrs. Potato Head
Mrs. Potato Head is a song about people who try and use plastic surgery to fit societys “beauty norm”. This song is about Cry Baby learning her own opinions, not what society wants her to know.
“But little girls are learning how to cut and paste”
Mrs. Potato Head is a song about people who try and use plastic surgery to fit societys “beauty norm”. This song is about Cry Baby learning her own opinions, not what society wants her to know.
“But little girls are learning how to cut and paste”
While Melanie expressed this song is not meant to bash women who get it, its meant to ask the question “Why are you doing this when you're beautiful without it?” and to express the dangers that come with doing it.
Track 13; Mad Hatter
This song is based on Alice In Wonderland. Mad Hatter is about accepting who you are and not what society expects you to be.
“So what if I'm crazy? The best people are”
This song is based on Alice In Wonderland. Mad Hatter is about accepting who you are and not what society expects you to be.
“So what if I'm crazy? The best people are”
Now I’d like to talk about how people believe this song is “Romanticizing Mental Illness”. This song is about accepting who you are, and like I mentioned, is based Alice In Wondering.
Lines such as “All the best people are crazy” are referencing lines in Alice In Wonderland.
Lines such as “All the best people are crazy” are referencing lines in Alice In Wonderland.
Track 14; Play Date
Play Date is about a one-sided relationship where Crybaby feels she has to play games to stay with him.
She expresses how she doesn’t care about this “Play Dates”, but in the end admits she does.
“I guess I'm just a play date to you”
Play Date is about a one-sided relationship where Crybaby feels she has to play games to stay with him.
She expresses how she doesn’t care about this “Play Dates”, but in the end admits she does.
“I guess I'm just a play date to you”
Track 15; Teddy Bear
This song is about a relationship built on love that begins to turn into a scary, toxic relationship.
“Teddy bear, you were my teddy bear
You were comforting and quiet
How did love become so violent?”
This song is about a relationship built on love that begins to turn into a scary, toxic relationship.
“Teddy bear, you were my teddy bear
You were comforting and quiet
How did love become so violent?”
Track 16; Cake
This song is more sexual than her others, but is a bonus track and isn’t meant to be taken in her “child aesthetic”
Cake is about a boy who just wants to be satisfied in a relationship, discarding the girl when he is done.
“You're a piece of meat to me”
This song is more sexual than her others, but is a bonus track and isn’t meant to be taken in her “child aesthetic”
Cake is about a boy who just wants to be satisfied in a relationship, discarding the girl when he is done.
“You're a piece of meat to me”
She begins to say that If she is just a “piece of cake” to him, then he is just a “piece of meat” to her.
Next we are moving on to K-12. As Crybaby progresses in life, she is exposed to a lot more scary situations so I am putting a Trigger Warning here for heavy topics such as eating disorders. 
Track 1; Wheels on the Bus
While on the bus to school, Cry Baby begins to notice the adult-like things her classmates are doing and feels disgusted by it.
“There are two boys yelling behind me and I'm terrified”
While on the bus to school, Cry Baby begins to notice the adult-like things her classmates are doing and feels disgusted by it.
“There are two boys yelling behind me and I'm terrified”
The bus driver can be seen as authority figures who choose to ignore and normalize these actions by such young people.
This song is meant to shine light on how we need to change instead of throwing our innocence out the window while authority figures ignore it.
This song is meant to shine light on how we need to change instead of throwing our innocence out the window while authority figures ignore it.
It is not meant to be taken in a sexualized way and it actually meant to be taken in the opposite way. Its only as sexual as you choose to make it.
Track 2; Class Fight
Class Fight is about how when a man cheats, society expects the women to fight with each other and not the man who cheated.
“Should I give him away or feel this bad”
Class Fight is about how when a man cheats, society expects the women to fight with each other and not the man who cheated.
“Should I give him away or feel this bad”
Track 3; The Principal
The Principal is a metaphor for people in power who abuse this power. It is mainly aimed at Donald Trump and his actions.
“I've tried to make you listen, but you won't, it's your way, right?”
The Principal is a metaphor for people in power who abuse this power. It is mainly aimed at Donald Trump and his actions.
“I've tried to make you listen, but you won't, it's your way, right?”
Here is a fan cam/video that explains a lot of whats happening within the song and how it relates to the outside world
Track 4; Show & Tell
Show & Tell is meant to showcase how Celebrities are put on a pedestal and expected to be perfect.
“Harsh words if you don't get a pic with me”
Show & Tell is meant to showcase how Celebrities are put on a pedestal and expected to be perfect.
“Harsh words if you don't get a pic with me”
This song comes from past experiences Melanie has had.
Track 5; Nurse’s Office
Nurse’s Office is a song about how Cry Baby wants to leave class to escape bullying and displays how the school system chooses to do the bare minimum for its students.
“'Cause they hate me, so I'm fakin'”
Nurse’s Office is a song about how Cry Baby wants to leave class to escape bullying and displays how the school system chooses to do the bare minimum for its students.
“'Cause they hate me, so I'm fakin'”
Track 6; Drama Club
Drama Club is about how people hide behind a mask pretending to be someone they are not and how she feels she is constantly judged for being herself.
“You always hide behind your Wizard of Oz disguise”
Drama Club is about how people hide behind a mask pretending to be someone they are not and how she feels she is constantly judged for being herself.
“You always hide behind your Wizard of Oz disguise”
Track 7; Strawberry Shortcake
TW // Sexual Assualt and Rape
This song addresses the heavy topic of sexual assualt and rape and how women are expected from a young age to be attractive to men.
“Got sent home to change 'cause my skirt is too short”
TW // Sexual Assualt and Rape
This song addresses the heavy topic of sexual assualt and rape and how women are expected from a young age to be attractive to men.
“Got sent home to change 'cause my skirt is too short”
This song addresses the fact that when something happens to a girl such as Sexual Assualt, its their fault for “putting icing on top”, or dressing a certain way when it shouldn’t be.
“It's my fault, it's my fault 'cause I put icing on top”
“It's my fault, it's my fault 'cause I put icing on top”
Track 8; Lunchbox Friends
Lunchbox Friends talks about people who are “friends”, but are only friends to spread drama about people they do not know.
“I want someone who understands, oh, oh, no”
Lunchbox Friends talks about people who are “friends”, but are only friends to spread drama about people they do not know.
“I want someone who understands, oh, oh, no”
The term Lunchbox Friends relates to Friends who are only there to talk during school, or in this case, lunch.
Track 9; Orange Juice
TW // Eating Disorders
Orange Juice is a song about someone who develops Bulimia because they feel like they aren’t good enough to fit society’s standards.
“Your body is imperfectly perfect”
TW // Eating Disorders
Orange Juice is a song about someone who develops Bulimia because they feel like they aren’t good enough to fit society’s standards.
“Your body is imperfectly perfect”
Melanie is able to talk openly and shine light to eating disorders that aren’t talked about in society, without romanticizing them.
The line, “I wish I could tell you that you're fine, so fine, But you'll find that disconcerting” refers to telling someone with an ED that they +
The line, “I wish I could tell you that you're fine, so fine, But you'll find that disconcerting” refers to telling someone with an ED that they +
look good can sometimes set them back even futher and encourage them to keep going.
Please correct me if I messed up on this one as I have never experienced an ED and am not a “medical professional”
Please correct me if I messed up on this one as I have never experienced an ED and am not a “medical professional”
Track 10; Detention
Detention is about being lonely and having your peers only care about you if it benefits them.
It also is about how society treats celebrities who experience mental illness in a bad way.
“Pretending everything's alright is detention”
Detention is about being lonely and having your peers only care about you if it benefits them.
It also is about how society treats celebrities who experience mental illness in a bad way.
“Pretending everything's alright is detention”
Melanie stated in an interview that detention also digs into her latin roots and talks about the over sexualization of Latinas. She said its almost like “As a Latina Woman, is this what you want from me?”
Track 11; Teacher’s Pet
Teacher’s Pet is a controversial song if you choose not to look at what it actually means. It speaks out on pedophilia and grooming, as well as inappropriate teacher-student relationships.
“Do you regret the things we shared that I'll never forget”
Teacher’s Pet is a controversial song if you choose not to look at what it actually means. It speaks out on pedophilia and grooming, as well as inappropriate teacher-student relationships.
“Do you regret the things we shared that I'll never forget”
This song comes from the POV of the student being groomed and brain washed into believing this is okay. She starts to begin to realize that it isn’t during the line “If I'm so special, why am I secret?” and in the end kills the groomer.
Lines like “If I pass this quiz, will you give me your babies?” can be taken in a gross way if you choose to not look at what the song is actually about. Like I said, while this line sounds gross, its about the student believing this is okay and in the end realizes it isnt.
Track 12; High School Sweethearts
High School Sweethearts is a simple love song about how Cry Baby wants someone who will truly love her in a healthy, long term relationship.
“Could you hold me through the night?”
High School Sweethearts is a simple love song about how Cry Baby wants someone who will truly love her in a healthy, long term relationship.
“Could you hold me through the night?”
The Requirements are rules she expects her lover to follow, such as Don’t Cheat and Accept her for who she is.
I’d also like to mention how vulnerable Cry Baby feels during the bridge of the song in lines such as “Make me not want to die”
Track 13; Recess
This song is about releasing toxicity from your life and how overworked musicians may feel in the industry. Melanie mentions advice she was given from her Grandmother throughout the song.
“Just say "recess", I'm tired”
This song is about releasing toxicity from your life and how overworked musicians may feel in the industry. Melanie mentions advice she was given from her Grandmother throughout the song.
“Just say "recess", I'm tired”
Extra Songs: Bittersweet Tragedy, Dead to Me, and Gingerbread Man
I originally wasn’t going to do these three but I might as well
I originally wasn’t going to do these three but I might as well
Dead to Me
This song follows up Carousel from Crybaby as she tries to distance herself from the man. In the end she realizes the only way to do this is to figuratively “kill him” by ending his role in her life.
“'Cause baby you're dead to me”
This song follows up Carousel from Crybaby as she tries to distance herself from the man. In the end she realizes the only way to do this is to figuratively “kill him” by ending his role in her life.
“'Cause baby you're dead to me”
Bittersweet Tragedy
Bittersweet Tragedy is about ending a bitter relationship where she was only focusing on the sweet parts of it. Melanie said this songs ends the EP because it sums it all up.
“I'm done with your bittersweet, bittersweet tragedy”
Bittersweet Tragedy is about ending a bitter relationship where she was only focusing on the sweet parts of it. Melanie said this songs ends the EP because it sums it all up.
“I'm done with your bittersweet, bittersweet tragedy”
Gingerbread Man
Again this is literal a song about sex; however, it is seperated from the Crybaby story so it does not “sexualize babies”
She wants guys who never notice her, but in turn are stuck with guys who won’t be serious with her.
“I only want the ones who never see me”
Again this is literal a song about sex; however, it is seperated from the Crybaby story so it does not “sexualize babies”
She wants guys who never notice her, but in turn are stuck with guys who won’t be serious with her.
“I only want the ones who never see me”
Copy Cat
Copy Cat uses school assignments and tests to represent people in the music industry who try to copy other to succeed.
“Analyze my every move, what current state I'm in”
Copy Cat uses school assignments and tests to represent people in the music industry who try to copy other to succeed.
“Analyze my every move, what current state I'm in”
Piggyback
Piggyback is aimed at people in Melanie’s life who used her and lied to gain some fame. She played “Piggyback” with them, meaning she carried them and when she was done, they lied to gain attention she no longer gave them.
“I'm so done with playing piggyback, ooh”
Piggyback is aimed at people in Melanie’s life who used her and lied to gain some fame. She played “Piggyback” with them, meaning she carried them and when she was done, they lied to gain attention she no longer gave them.
“I'm so done with playing piggyback, ooh”
I originally wasn’t going to do Piggyback but it is a released song so I decided to do it.
When After School releases I’ll continue !!
Big Thanks to Melanie Martinez Fandom Wiki for helping me out along the way
When After School releases I’ll continue !!
Big Thanks to Melanie Martinez Fandom Wiki for helping me out along the way
Putting this here to go along with my thread
This thread analyizing the lyrics of some of the more “problematic” songs! I recommend also checking it out https://twitter.com/devilstawbry/status/1273661707638931462
https://twitter.com/devilstawbry/status/1273661707638931462
