The lyrics "I've loved many boys, I've loved many girls" point to the narrator's non-heterosexual orientation, and the fact that they "pretended you were mine" suggests that perhaps the narrator is engaged in a relationship with someone who is not reciprocating their feelings. The line "I am cruel, I am gentle, I can make you laugh" may refer to the narrator's ability to switch between different personas as they attempt to navigate the complexities of relationships.
The repeated refrain "I will never die" can be interpreted in a number of ways. It may refer to a sense of invincibility or even a fear of mortality, or it may suggest a deep-seated desire for continuity and permanence in a world that feels unstable and unreliable. The line "I've preemptively blocked all the exits" reinforces this sense of entrapment, as does the final line "So I will burn in this movie theater", which suggests that the narrator feels stuck in a repeating, looping narrative with no clear way out.
Overall, "Cop Car" is a song that deals with themes of anxiety, relationships and the desire for escape. It presents a complex, multifaceted emotional landscape that is both haunting and deeply relatable.
Cop Car
Mitski Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I get mean when I'm nervous like a bad dog
I want to jump into blue water
And I miss riding horses, I miss running fast
I miss riding horses, I miss running fast
I was meant for running fast
I pretended you were mine, it made me calm, babe
I am cruel, I am gentle, I can make you laugh
I am cruel, I am gentle, I can make you laugh
I've loved many boys, I've loved many girls
I don't think about the past it's always there anyway
Don't think about the past, always there anyway
And I will never die, I will never die, I will never die
I will never die, I will never die, I will never die
I will never die, I will never die
I've preemptively blocked all the exits
I've preemptively blocked all the exits
So I will burn in this movie theater, hey
In Mitski's song "Cop Car," the singer-songwriter expresses her sense of restlessness, anxiety, and desperation to escape the mundanity of her life. The repeated lyric "I get mean when I'm nervous like a bad dog" speaks to the idea that she is struggling to contain her emotions and is on edge, much like a dog that becomes aggressive when anxious. She yearns for adventure, symbolized by her longing to jump into blue water, ride horses, and run fast. In order to escape her reality, she pretends to reign over another person to soothe her troubled mind, but ultimately takes control and blocks all exits, resigning herself to the fate of burning in a movie theater.
The lyrics also explore the complexity of Mitski's personality. She acknowledges that she can be both cruel and gentle, capable of making people laugh, and loving both boys and girls. She accepts that her past is always present, an inescapable part of her, and affirms her belief that she will never die. However, her yearning for escape and her preemptive self-destruction hint at a sense of despair and a desire to control the inevitable.
Line by Line Meaning
I get mean when I'm nervous like a bad dog
When I am anxious, I tend to become aggressive and hostile, just like a fierce dog.
I want to jump into blue water
I desire to dive into refreshing blue water as a way to rejuvenate my spirit.
And I miss riding horses, I miss running fast
I feel nostalgic for the sense of freedom and speed that comes from riding horses and running fast.
I was meant for running fast
I believe that my natural talents and abilities should be put towards activities that allow me to move quickly and confidently.
I pretended you were mine, it made me calm, babe
When I pretended that you belonged to me, I felt less anxious, more relaxed, and more at ease.
I am cruel, I am gentle, I can make you laugh
I am complex and multi-faceted, capable of exhibiting both harsh and tender behaviors in addition to having a good sense of humor.
I've loved many boys, I've loved many girls
I have had romantic feelings for people of all genders, without discrimination or preference.
Don't think about the past, always there anyway
Although I attempt to avoid dwelling on the past, it remains constantly present and influential in my daily life.
And I will never die, I will never die, I will never die
I harbor an unyielding sense of invincibility and immortality, resulting in the belief that I will exist forever.
I've preemptively blocked all the exits
In preparation for potential danger, I have taken precautions to prevent any escape routes from being accessible.
So I will burn in this movie theater, hey
If a fire were to occur in this cinema, I am aware that I would be unable to escape and would be trapped amidst the flames.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mitsuki Laycock
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
megangoldberg
on My Love Mine All Mine
very interesting
mon
on My Love Mine All Mine
w song
Samounou
on My Love Mine All Mine
Samounou
Samounou
on My Love Mine All Mine
Gaoussou
Tut
on My Love Mine All Mine
Great song
kenna
on My Love Mine All Mine
Moon, a hole of light
Through the big top tent up high
Here before and after me
Shinin′ down on me
Moon, tell me if I could
Send up my heart to you?
So, when I die, which I must do
Could it shine down here with you?
Cause my love is mine, all mine
I love, mine, mine, mine
Nothing in the world belongs to me
But my love, mine, all mine, all mine
My baby here on earth
Showed me what my heart was worth
So, when it comes to be my turn
Could you shine it down here for her?
Cause my love is mine, all mine
I love, mine, mine, mine
Nothing in the world belongs to me
But my love, mine, all mine
Nothing in the world is mine for free
But my love, mine, all mine, all mine
pax
on Brand New City
"But if I gave up on being pretty, I wouldn't know how to be alive. I should move to a brand new city and teach myself how to die." that part goddamn so damn good
i
on A Burning Hill
i think for me i interpret this as how i’ve accepted my sadness and anxiety, at this point i even cause more pain for myself on purpose. i just observe it and don’t do anything and even if i do i just make everything worse and if i somehow feel better im disappointed spreading more fire to watch and observe.
nana
on Fireworks
I wish i was as beautiful as this song