Popular song
MIKA ft.Ariana Grande Lyrics

La la, la la
Repetitive filler words to start the song

You were the popular one, the popular chick
Addressing someone who used to be popular and desired by others

It is what it is, now I’m popular 'ish
Accepting the current state of being somewhat popular

Standing on the field with your pretty pompons
Recalling images of the person’s past popularity and involvement in activities like cheerleading

Now you’re working at the movie selling popular corn
Noting the person’s current job, which is much less glamorous

I could have been a mess but I never went wrong
Acknowledging the singer’s past mistakes but also their ability to overcome them

'Cause I’m putting down my story in a popular song
Explaining how the singer is using their experiences to create a relatable song

Said I’m putting down my story in a popular song
Reiterating the intention of the song to tell a relatable story

My problem, I never was a model
Admitting to not being conventionally attractive

I never was a scholar
Admitting to not being academically gifted

You were always popular
Pointing out that the person was popular despite not having model or scholar status

You were singing, all the songs I don’t know
Noting the person’s musical talent and knowledge

Now you’re in the front row
Acknowledging the person's current success

'Cause my song is popular
Giving credit to the popularity of the current song

Popular, I know about popular
Affirming knowledge of what it means to be popular

It’s not about who you are or your fancy car
Clarifying that popularity is not determined by material possessions

You’re only ever who you were
Stating that one’s true self is who they've always been, regardless of popularity or other superficial factors

And all that you have to do, is be true to you
Encouraging authenticity and being true to oneself

That’s all you ever need to know
Reiterating the importance of staying true to oneself

Catch up, cause you got an awful long way to go
Encouraging the person to catch up and become authentic, as they still have a long way to go

I was on the lookout for someone to hate
Recalling a past desire to hate someone

Picking on me like a dinner plate
Describing personal attacks from others

I hid during classes, and in between them
Detailing coping mechanisms used to avoid confrontation

Dunk me in the toilet now its you that cleans 'em
Symbolically showing that the person who was once bullied is now on top while the former bully is in a lowly position

You tryin' to make me feel bad with the things you do
Addressing the other person's attempts to hurt the singer

It ain’t so funny when the joke’s on you
Pointing out the irony when someone who once laughed at others ends up in a negative situation

Uh, the joke’s on you
Reiterating the irony of the previous line

Got everyone’s laughing, got everyone clapping, asking
Describing the attention and praise the singer is now receiving

How come you look so cool?
Expressing admiration for the singer's current popularity and cool factor

'Cause that’s the only thing that I’ve learned at school
Explaining that popularity is what the singer has learned is important

Said that’s the only thing I’ve learned at school
Reiterating the message that popularity is overemphasized in society