Diamandis' musical style ranges from keyboard-based ballads to more up-tempo new wave-style songs with full band backing. She has cited a wide range of influences such as Daniel Johnston, Blondie, Patti Smith, Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Elliott Smith, Dolly Parton, Britney Spears and Madonna.
Troubled Mind
Marina & the Diamonds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All she's got is the memory of a girl that used to laugh a lot
Now she's very angry 'cause they say she's lost the plot
And she's laughing in the mirror at her paper dress
'Cause she has a troubled mind, a troubled mind
Rosie Black, she walked up in here wired up on crack
It's for the kids who have low self-esteem
Living their lives inside a fantasy
'Cause they have troubled minds, troubled minds
Wipe the white golden dust into these broken hands
Must depend on a friend that will understand
Like the glitter making love to the gleam
Just remember things aren't always what they seem
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Peter Pan could not admit he had become a man
He smashed the mirror into a million bits
Now all he seems to do is stare and sit
Painting pictures of a life that he'll never find
Inside his troubled mind, troubled minds
There's a sweet little guy called Mars
Each night he cries, this ain't the place I'm meant to be
He hides his dreams deep within a wooden box
He hides his secrets deep within his woolen socks
Life will pass him by inside his troubled mind, troubled minds
Wipe the white golden dust into these broken hands
Must depend on a friend that will understand
Like the glitter making love to the gleam
Just remember things aren't always what they seem
We can kill for the dust we need to fill these hands
Can't depend on a friend that will understand
Hate the glitter, we have murdered the dream
Just remember things aren't always what they seem
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
The song "Troubled Mind" by Marina and the Diamonds is a poignant portrayal of mental health issues and the struggles faced by those grappling with them. The lyrics speak of individuals dealing with a range of debilitating conditions and captures their despair and hopelessness. The song begins by describing a girl who has been institutionalized in a psychiatric hospital and is angry, feeling that people think she has "lost the plot." She looks at her reflection in the mirror and laughs, while wearing a paper dress, signifying her sense of vulnerability and instability. The lyrics suggest that the girl is dealing with a troubled mind, a phrase that recurs throughout the song.
The song goes on to describe other people who are similarly struggling with mental health problems: Rosie Black, who is "wired up on crack"; Peter Pan, who is unable to accept that he has become an adult; and a guy named Mars, who is deeply unhappy with his life. The lyrics touch on the theme of self-esteem, as the song suggests that low self-esteem is prevalent among those with troubled minds. The song ends on a somewhat bleak note, with the lyrics speaking of murder, and a general sense of hopelessness and despair.
Overall, "Troubled Mind" is a powerful and thought-provoking song that raises awareness of mental health problems and the struggles faced by individuals with such conditions. The song's message is conveyed through hauntingly beautiful melodies and lyrics, and is a testament to Marina and the Diamonds' talent as a songwriter.
Line by Line Meaning
Off she trots to the psychiatric hospit...
She is going to a psychiatric hospital.
All she's got is the memory of a girl that used to laugh a lot
She only remembers a happier version of herself.
Now she's very angry 'cause they say she's lost the plot
She is angry because she is being perceived as mentally unstable.
And she's laughing in the mirror at her paper dress
She is laughing at herself and her current state of mind.
'Cause she has a troubled mind, a troubled mind
Her mind is troubled.
It's for the kids who have low self-esteem
Drug abuse is often a result of low self-esteem.
They've got no concept of reality
Drug abuse can cause a distorted sense of reality.
Living their lives inside a fantasy
Drug abusers often create their own fantasy world to escape reality.
'Cause they have troubled minds, troubled minds
Their minds are troubled.
Wipe the white golden dust into these broken hands
Using drugs to try and fix a broken life.
Must depend on a friend that will understand
Dependent on someone to support drug habit and understand them.
Like the glitter making love to the gleam
The illusion of happiness and success is fleeting and fragile.
Just remember things aren't always what they seem
Life and situations are not always what they appear on the surface.
Peter Pan could not admit he had become a man
Peter Pan refused to grow up and accept his responsibilities.
He smashed the mirror into a million bits
Peter Pan was unable to face his true reflection and shattered it.
Now all he seems to do is stare and sit
Peter Pan is paralyzed and unable to move forward.
Painting pictures of a life that he'll never find
Peter Pan is dreaming of a life that is impossible to achieve.
Inside his troubled mind, troubled minds
His mind is troubled and lost.
There's a sweet little guy called Mars
Mars is a character who is sweet and kind.
Each night he cries, this ain't the place I'm meant to be
Mars is unhappy with his current situation and feels out of place.
He hides his dreams deep within a wooden box
Mars keeps his dreams hidden and protected.
He hides his secrets deep within his woolen socks
Mars keeps his secrets hidden and protected.
Life will pass him by inside his troubled mind, troubled minds
Mars will miss out on life because of his troubled mind.
We can kill for the dust we need to fill these hands
People will go to extremes to fulfill their desires and fix their problems.
Can't depend on a friend that will understand
People struggle to find someone who can truly understand them and their problems.
Hate the glitter, we have murdered the dream
The illusion of success and happiness has been destroyed by reality and negative experiences.
Just remember things aren't always what they seem
Reality is not always what it appears on the surface.
Contributed by Sophia T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bettycharms
Marina is like soul therapy
@hecc
she’s good for the soul, kinda like something else. ;)
@iheartdiamandis2780
@hecc HAHAHA i bursted into laughter as i read this, iykyk
@hecc
@iheartdiamandis 😏
@seductivesasquatch710
chicken soup for the soul <3
@Alyssa-rv1ty
I remember falling asleep crying to this 2 years ago, haven't listened to the song in ages but I still love it.
@arelic6087
Alyssa I hope you’re doing better now💜💜
@_r0ttenfl3sh_
apparently we all live the same life because sAme sis
@tayrexcanavar7570
@whushaw ahhahhaha this is actually still on the sane side for Marina. But yeah very cryable and I miss crying to this cuz it was one of the main songs that made me realize "I had become a man"
@aljawharahalmogren388
I remember me crying to it nine years ago when I was a teen and realised that things might not be normal in my head, about 8-9 yrs ago.