Meg Smith cautions listeners about the intoxicating appeal of fame on latest single
Meg Smith declares, "Girls Just Wanna Be Famous"! But at what cost?
On her latest single, Smith explores - a tale as old as time - just how far girls are willing to go to be in the spotlight. The song opens with Smith delicately singing, "Girls Just Wanna Be Famous", as if she’s lulling you into a false sense of security.
The track finds an unnamed young girl (“San Bernardino's feeling hot as hell” -because anyone who seeks fame and fortune flocks to California, right?) wishing she was famous while simultaneously practicing her dance moves to perfection (“She flips a precious penny in the wishing well / With nothing but a chokehold on a ballet bar”). Oh, but she won’t make it far unless she’s going out with her high school sweetheart (“Hitch up with your high school honey / You won't be a star”). Gotta keep up appearances, after all!
The pre-chorus promises, “No cigar, you're gonna get it / Oh, you're gonna sweat it hard” after the girl works to only be the best -she’ll accept nothing less. And, of course, no superstar transformation would be complete without developing an ever-present ED (“Suffer and starve”) But after all of that, it still isn’t enough as the nameless girl demands, “What's a b**** gotta do just to get some applause?”
Smith repeats the song title in a sing-songy, sarcastic fashion. Although this time around, it sounds as if the singer is taunting you. Our main character’s sinister loop continues.
Meg Smith - "Girls Just Wanna Be Famous" (Official Lyric Video):
Verse two finds the young girl dissatisfied with her appearance (“Staring through her body like she's cellophane”) while her sisters have seemingly moved on with their lives (“Both her sisters found their husbands at thе army base”).
Meanwhile, the young girl is guaranteed the starring role if - and only if - she gives the head honcho something in return (“While the suit at thе audition says you'll get the part / If you meet him in the lobby at the hotel bar”). The pre-chorus finds the girl wondering (possibly aloud), “What's a b**** gotta do short of selling her soul?” Unfortunately, it’s too late, as she’s already done just that. She’s in a vicious, fame-hungry cycle (think the final scene of “Requiem of a Dream”).
The bridge finds the girl on a train ride, reflecting on how her life is now, questioning her choices. Is all of this excess even necessary anymore? And, if so, then …for what? (“Spend the train ride wondering what I’m killing myself for / What I’ve been killing myself for / What’s it all for?”).
Meg Smith leaves you with a cliffhanger ending, making you wonder whether the nameless girl (perhaps Meg has been referring to herself this whole time?) ever makes it out of Hollywood alive.
Meg Smith. Both photos courtesy of Spotify