The song is about the speaker’s desire to change her role in the group despite the fact that such a sharp pivot in identity is unusual and isn’t as explicit a process as she proposes.
She sorts through the different roles that she could switch to and outlines how she can assume that role. While the speaker despairs about how entrenched her identity seems to be, it also shows the absurdity of the distinct roles that people take on during young adulthood and their cliched markers.
I Don't Wanna Be Funny Anymore
Lucy Dacus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't wanna be funny anymore.
Lately, I've been feeling like the odd man out.
I hurt my friends saying things I don't mean out loud.
I don't wanna be funny anymore.
I got a too short skirt, maybe I can be the cute one.
Is there room in the band? I don't need to be the front man.
I don't want the joke to be on me.
Yeah, I'll buy the clothes and I'll be the best dressed.
Yeah, I'll read the books and I'll be the smartest.
I'll play guitar and I'll be the artist.
Try not to laugh.
I know it'll be hard.
I'm serious.
I know it's a first but...
I don't wanna be funny anymore.
Yeah, I'll be the gossip, hear it through the grape vine.
Pass it on, she's done with the old times.
That funny girl doesn't wanna smile for a while.
The song "I Don't Wanna Be Funny Anymore" by Lucy Dacus is a reflection of the pressure that comes with being the funny one in a group. The song begins with the assertion that the singer no longer wants to be funny, and this is due to the feeling of being an outsider in her social circle. The singer admits to having hurt her friends by saying things she doesn't mean out loud, which could be interpreted as saying things for the sake of being funny.
The singer longs to be seen for more than her humor, expressing a desire to be cute, the best-dressed, the smartest, and the most artistic. There is a sense of vulnerability in these lyrics as she recognizes that being funny is not enough to fulfill her. Through the song's progression, the singer is willing to take on different roles that would allow her to be seen in a different light. They include being the biggest fan, the gossip, and a reader of books. Ultimately, the singer wants to be taken seriously and not be the butt of the joke anymore.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna be funny anymore.
The singer no longer wants to rely on humor as a coping mechanism or way to fit in.
Lately, I've been feeling like the odd man out.
The singer has been feeling left out or disconnected from others.
I hurt my friends saying things I don't mean out loud.
By using humor, the singer has unintentionally hurt their friends with things they don't actually believe or feel.
I got a too short skirt, maybe I can be the cute one.
The artist is considering using their appearance as a way to fit in instead of humor.
Is there room in the band? I don't need to be the front man.
The artist is willing to take a less prominent role in order to find a sense of belonging.
If not, then I'll be the biggest fan.
If the singer can't be directly involved, they are willing to support from the sidelines.
I don't want the joke to be on me.
The singer wants to be taken seriously and not become the target of jokes or ridicule.
Yeah, I'll buy the clothes and I'll be the best dressed.
The artist is considering using fashion to create a new image and fit in better with their peers.
Yeah, I'll read the books and I'll be the smartest.
The artist is willing to expand their knowledge and intellect in order to feel more worthy and respected.
I'll play guitar and I'll be the artist.
The artist is willing to pursue a creative outlet and be known for their artistry instead of their humor.
Try not to laugh.
The singer is asking their audience to take them seriously and not just dismiss their new attitude as a joke.
I know it'll be hard.
The artist knows that changing their persona will not be easy, and they may face resistance or ridicule from others.
I'm serious.
The singer wants to convey that their desire to be taken seriously is not a passing phase, but a serious intention.
That funny girl doesn't wanna smile for a while.
The singer is letting their peers know that they are consciously choosing to not rely on humor for a period of time in order to find a different sense of self and belonging.
Contributed by Ryan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
A
[Verse 1]
I don't wanna be funny anymore
I don't wanna be funny anymore
Lately, I've been feeling like the odd man out
I hurt my friends saying things I don't mean out loud
[Verse 2]
I don't wanna be funny anymore
I got a too short skirt, maybe I can be the cute one
Is there room in the band? I don't need to be the front man
If not, then I'll be the biggest fan
[Verse 3]
I don't want the joke to be on me
Yeah, I'll buy the clothes and I'll be the best dressed
Yeah, I'll read the books and I'll be the smartest
I'll play guitar and I'll be the artist
[Bridge]
Try not to laugh
I know it'll be hard
I'm serious
I know it's a first but
[Verse 4]
I don't wanna be funny anymore
Yeah, I'll be the gossip, hear it through the grape vine
Pass it on, she's done with the old times
That funny girl doesn't wanna smile for a while
Lilly Do
This song hits me at a personal level because I feel like I have to be funny otherwise I have nothing else going for me. I just want a break:/
charles dickey
You seem like a perfectly fine young woman. Just be you and all will be good.
Canibalteaspoon159
Yup
Psytastic
genuinely hits me at a personal level Id kill to not be such a jokester but I can't change my nature so easily
no comment
shes right, a laugh Is great and everything, but at my own expense? I dont think so!
dm sk
Lp
Siddharth Kumar Yadav
shes right, a laugh Is great and everything, but at my own expense? I dont think so!
EdiT - Man, i wish i wasn't the funny person but same here that's who i am, not so easy to change it.
Allan Black
Na, you can. All it takes is a sincere, genuine person to think you are a riot. That audience alone will change you. And without knowing, you will be that for someone else.
kate
man this appeared on my Spotify today and I cried this is how I’ve been feeling for a few months now
jessica wray
same lollll