Popular song
Ariana Grande / Mika Lyrics

La la, la la
A catchy, repetitive intro to the song

You were the popular one, the popular chick
Referring to a former popular student who is no longer popular

It is what it is, now I’m popular 'ish
Acknowledging that the singer has achieved some level of popularity

Standing on the field with your pretty pompons
Describing the former popular student's cheerleading days

Now you’re working at the movie selling popular corn
Suggesting that the former popular student's life has taken a less glamorous turn

I could have been a mess but I never went wrong
Implying that the singer had the potential to fail, but managed to succeed

'Cause I’m putting down my story in a popular song
Explaining that the singer is telling her story through her music

Said I’m putting down my story in a popular song
Repeating the previous line to add emphasis

My problem, I never was a model
Admitting that the singer never met society's standards of beauty

I never was a scholar,
Acknowledging that the singer was not an academic high-achiever

You were always popular
Admitting that the former popular student was more liked than the singer

You were singing, all the songs I don’t know
Implying that the former popular student had different tastes in music

Now you’re in the front row
Describing how the former popular student had a good position

'Cause my song is popular
Explaining that the singer's current popularity is due to her music

Popular, I know about popular
Reiterating the theme of popularity

It’s not about who you are or your fancy car
Asserting that true popularity is not about material possessions

You’re only ever who you were
Saying that your personality and character remain consistent throughout your life

And all that you have to do, is be true to you
Encouraging listeners to stay true to themselves

That's all you ever need to know
Affirming the message of the song

Catch up, cause you got an awful long way to go
Challenging the former popular student to catch up to the singer's current level of success

I was on the lookout for someone to hate
Admitting that the singer harbored negative feelings towards others

Picking on me like a dinner plate
Describing how the former popular student bullied the singer

I hid during classes, and in between them
Explaining how the singer became reclusive

Dunk me in the toilet now its you that cleans 'em
Using a metaphor to describe how the singer overcame their bully

You tryin' to make me feel bad with the things you do
Conveying how the former popular student was intentionally hurtful

It ain’t so funny when the joke’s on you
Suggesting that the former popular student is now receiving their comeuppance

Uh, the joke’s on you
Repeating the previous line to add emphasis

Got everyone’s laughing, got everyone clapping, asking
Describing how the singer's success has resulted in her receiving praise

How come you look so cool?
Asking how the singer has achieved her cool image

'Cause that’s the only thing that I’ve learned at school
Implying that being yourself is the key to being cool

Said that’s the only thing I’ve learned at school
Repeating the previous line to add emphasis