Melanie Martinez

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
Looking at me through your window
Boy, you had your eye out for a little
"I'll cut you up and make you dinner
You've reached the end, you are the winner"

[Verse 2]
Rolling down your tinted window
Driving next to me real slow, he said
"Let me take you for a joyride
I've got some candy for you inside"

[Chorus]
Running through the parking lot
He chased me and he wouldn't stop
Tag, you're it, tag, tag, you're it
Grabbed my hand, pushed me down
Took the words right out my mouth
Tag, you're it, tag, tag, you're it
Can anybody hear me when I'm hidden underground?
Can anybody hear me? Am I talking to myself?
Saying, "Tag, you're it, tag, tag, you're it"
He's saying, "Tag, you're it, tag, tag, you're it"

[Verse 3]
Little bit of poison in me
I can taste your skin in my teeth
"I love it when I hear you breathing
I hope to God you're never leaving"
[Chorus]
Running through the parking lot
He chased me and he wouldn't stop
Tag, you're it, tag, tag, you're it
Grabbed my hand, pushed me down
Took the words right out my mouth
Tag, you're it, tag, tag, you're it
Can anybody hear me when I'm hidden underground?
Can anybody hear me? Am I talking to myself?
Saying, "Tag, you're it, tag, tag, you're it"
He's saying, "Tag, you're it, tag, tag, you're it"

[Bridge]
Eenie, meenie, miny, mo
Catch your lady by her toes
If she screams, don't let her go
Eenie, meenie, miny, mo
Your mother said to pick the very best girl
And I am

[Chorus - Variation]
Running through the parking lot
He chased me and he wouldn't stop
Tag, you're it, tag, tag, you're it
Grabbed my hand, pushed me down
Took the words right out my mouth
Tag, you're it, tag, tag, you're it
Running through the parking lot
He chased me and he wouldn't stop
Tag, you're it, tag, you're it
Grabbed my hand, pushed me down
Take the words right out my mouth
Tag, you're it, tag, tag, you're it

Welcome to the world of Melanie Martinez, where music and storytelling collide in an unforgettable way. In her debut album, Cry Baby, Melanie takes the listener on a journey through the ups and downs of childhood, love, and growing up. One track that stands out in particular is "Tag, You're It," a hauntingly beautiful song that covers the difficult topic of sexual assault.

In this song, Melanie utilizes the children's game of "Tag" as a metaphor for the experience of being pursued and captured by a predator. The lyrics describe a young girl walking alone who is kidnapped by a "bad wolf" disguised as an ice-cream man. The story is chilling, but Melanie's delicate, ethereal voice adds a layer of vulnerability and sadness to the narrative.

The music video for "Tag, You're It" is a double feature with another song from the album, "Milk and Cookies." Melanie directed the video herself, and it shows a young girl in a pink bunny costume being taken captive by a man in a wolf costume. The imagery is unsettling, but it effectively drives home the message of the song.

About Tag, You’re It

The story told through "Tag, You're It" is unfortunately not uncommon. Sexual assault and kidnapping are serious issues that affect people of all ages and genders. Melanie's decision to use "Tag" as a metaphor demonstrates that she is aware of the fact that these crimes often begin with the victim being "tagged" by the predator. They are then pursued and caught, with disastrous consequences.

What makes this song so powerful is the way that Melanie uses her voice to evoke feelings of fear, helplessness, and sadness. The delicate, almost childlike quality of her vocals is the perfect counterpoint to the dark subject matter. The chorus, in particular, is incredibly haunting, with Melanie singing "Tag, you're it / Grabbed my hand, pushed me down / Took the words right out my mouth / Tag, you're it, tag, tag, you're it."

One of the most interesting things about "Tag, You're It" is the way that Melanie is able to convey a sense of innocence lost. The lyrics describe a young girl walking alone, presumably to her home. This suggests that she is in a safe space, somewhere that she knows and trusts. When the "bad wolf" comes along, he destroys that safety net and introduces a new, terrifying reality. The song captures that feeling of helplessness that comes when something that seemed so reliable is suddenly taken away.

Another key aspect of "Tag, You're It" is Melanie's use of visual imagery. In the music video, we see a young girl dressed in a pink bunny costume who is lured into a van by a man in a wolf costume. The use of costumes is significant because it reinforces the metaphor of the predator. The man is not just a man; he is a wolf in sheep's clothing. By dressing him up in this way, Melanie is making it clear that predators are often difficult to spot. They hide in plain sight, waiting for the right moment to strike.

At its core, "Tag, You're It" is a song about the vulnerability of children and the importance of vigilance. Melanie's decision to use "Tag" as a metaphor is inspired because it demonstrates the way that predators operate. They tag their victims, pursuing and capturing them with the intent to do harm. It is a difficult subject to address, but Melanie does so with sensitivity and grace.

If you are a fan of Melanie Martinez, or if you are interested in music that addresses important issues, then "Tag, You're It" is a must-listen. It is a hauntingly beautiful song that will stay with you long after the music has stopped.

• Release Date: August 14, 2015
• Artist: Melanie Martinez