Gold Star
Ollie MN Lyrics

In Ollie MN's song Gold Star, the lyrics paint a picture of sadness and despair. The persona is addressing someone who is struggling with the memories of their past and the bleakness of their present reality. The first lines suggest that if the people from the person's hometown could see them now, they would probably be surprised or even disappointed at the state they are in. The persona goes on to describe the sleepless nights that the person has gone through, likely due to anxiety or other mental health issues. The line "Your misery would look so good in black and white" could be interpreted in different ways, but it conveys that the person's pain is visible and palpable.

The chorus of the song poses a question, "Where do I collect my gold star?" This line could be read ironically because the conventional expectation is that people should strive for success and recognition, but here the persona is highlighting the opposite. The next line goes on to say, "For being the saddest boy in this bar?" implying that the person's sadness is noticeable and almost admirable. The persona then questions their own identity as a dreamer, as they have not been able to sleep for days, suggesting that their dreams have turned into nightmares. The line "If only life moved in twenty-four frames" is a reference to movies and how they often present life in a structured and coherent way, which is not always the case in reality.

In the second verse, the persona continues to address the person's loneliness and regret. The line "It'll still feel just as bad" could be interpreted as a pessimistic view of comfort and support. The last line of the song is a kind of apology, with the persona asking the person not to look so sad, as it makes them look bad. This line is another example of how sadness and misery can be perceived as a kind of virtue, but it also shows how the persona is affected by the other person's pain.