Aching to Pupate
Regina Spektor Lyrics

Aching to pupate
Feeling the need to go through transformation and become a new version of oneself

Aching to pup-p-p-pate
Repeating the desire to transform and become something new

Pu-pupate, pu pate,
Using the sound of the word 'pupate' as a playful, nonsensical phrase

Pu-pate, pu-pupate, pu pa-ate?
Asking a rhetorical question about the sound of the word 'pupate'

I should peddle butterflies
Thinking about a strange and whimsical way to make a living by selling something unusual

There's a shortage in the city,
Believing that there could be a demand for this strange product

I'll stand on the street corner
Imagining the process of selling these butterflies on a busy street

All mysterious and giddy,
Feeling excited and strange about the idea of selling butterflies

When the passers by pass by
Anticipating the reaction of potential customers as they walk by

I will open up my trenchcoat,
Using a comical image of a stereotypical street vendor to describe the act of selling butterflies

They will see the butterflies
Revealing the product to the customers in a dramatic way

Dangling like fake rolexes?
Ending the description with a humorous comparison to fake rolexes, implying that the butterflies may not be entirely authentic

Every morning I wake up
Describing the general routine and mindset of the singer, who enjoys eccentricity and silliness

With a purpose and a smirk
Expressing an energetic and playful attitude towards daily life

I'll put on my fake mustache
Continuing the theme of playfulness and oddity, with the singer using props to make life more interesting

I'll drink Heineken eat cornflakes?
Mixing absurd images, suggesting the artist is not concerned with conventional combinations of food and drink

Then I'll call my mum and dad
Revealing a more ordinary part of the artist's life, balancing out the eccentric tendencies

Tell them that I'm doing fine,
Emphasizing the importance of staying connected to family and checking in with them

Or I'll write a tipsy letter
Describing a more unconventional way of staying in touch with friends

To a real good friend of mine,
Highlighting the importance of close friendships

Or I'll jump upon the bed
Returning to a whimsical and childlike behavior

Waltzing madly with the broomstick
Showing the artist's tendency to turn ordinary objects into playthings

But before I leave the house
Recognizing that the singer must eventually leave this playful, odd world and return to reality

I will paint my lips with lipstick?
Ending with another unusual detail that further expresses the artist's unique personality and style

But peddling is a dirty sport
Reflecting the reality that making a living in an unconventional way is actually quite difficult

There's competition in the city,
Realizing that the idea to sell butterflies was not as unique as the singer once thought

Everyone is on a street corner
Describing a crowded, competitive marketplace

All mysterious and giddy.
Emphasizing that the competition is similarly quirky and energetic

Some are selling bags and shoes,
Describing other vendors who sell more practical items

Some are selling books and gold,
Contrasting with the singer's own whimsical idea

I've been standing here for days
Expressing frustration that the singer's idea has not attracted customers

Not one butterfly's been sold?
Questioning whether the idea was ever truly viable

And how I'm
Connecting this frustration with the earlier line about wanting to pupate and transform

Aching to pupate
Returning to the theme of transformation, perhaps suggesting that the artist will try to change direction again

Aching to pup-p-p-pate
Repeating this desire for transformation with even more energy

(repeats 4x)
Emphasizing this repeating pattern of desire

Pu-pu-pate, pupate,
Returning to the playful sound of the word 'pupate'

Pupate, pu-pu-pate, pu pa-ate.
Ending with a nonsensical phrase that further captures the whimsical, imaginary world of the singer