Marina farewells our teen hood.
I'm talking about the super super song 'Teen Idle' by Marina and the Diamonds. The lyrics are pure poetry because they have a strong effect. They sit and fit so well with the melody, one can interpret them as one wants- boys or girls, old or young, it can be appreciated by anyone.
'I wanna be an idle teen,
I wish I hadn't been so clean'
To me she talks about the issue of experience, perhaps how experience can reflect your self worth? There is an illusion and confusion of identity laced through out the song. It flicks from peppy electric pop to something dark, sad and nostalgic, wishful, yearning, envy?
'I want blood, guts and chocolate cake'
'I wanna be a virgin pure,
A 21st century whore'
She wants more than whats possible, like any young person does don't you think? Or perhaps it is possible but there is a catch- goals and dreams come with strings attached...
The song is packed with contrast and juxtaposition. The tune is cute, catchy and alive. A chorus of cheerleader like voices echo in the background like robots 'Feeling super super super!!!!' ...but still the lyrics cut at first listen...
And when she breaks it down:
'I wish I wasn't such a narcissist,
I wish I didn't really kiss,
The mirror when I'm on my own,
Oh god, I'm gonna die alone'
She holds us in that awkward, self conscious state of adolescence so familiar, so violent, so bittersweet and we can sense our own universal vulnerability seeping out of the song.
The archetype: Teenager.
The idolization of teenagers.
Is this song sarcastic? Regretful? Dissatisfaction. 'I wish I...' A beautiful confessional. I discovered that Marina apparently told Amazon that the song is a: "Story of my suicidal cheerleader youth! This song was like my last hurrah of adolescence."
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