The song is written in a message to self style, acting as somewhat of a slap to reality—albeit a kind one.
"Growing up is weird and my twenties feel like chaos. “You’re Not Special, Babe” is a coming-of-age song written to remind myself that everyone goes through all of it; good times, bad times, strange times, dizzying highs & extreme lows. The title sounds mean but it’s really meant to be a comforting message! I wrote and produced this song with my friend and collaborator Tom Stafford at the beginning of 2020. Lyrically it set a tone for the rest of the album tracks to follow; no bullshit – just a messy scrapbook of honest, matter-of-fact thoughts. We demoed the song together in Tom’s London studio and then later brought it to Middle Farm Studios in Devon where we set up for 3 weeks – my band playing on this track took it to the next level & gave it the raucous energy it was missing. Sonically “You’re Not Special, Babe” has everything I love – ethereal synths, shimmery guitars, harmonies, tiny drums and big drums. I cannot wait to play this song live."
— via DIY
"track 2, ‘you’re not special, babe’ – these repeated vocal samples in the verse are a nod to ‘o superman’ by Laurie Anderson! one of my all time faves
the bouncy pre-chorus bass part of YOU’RE NOT SPECIAL BABE is one of my fave parts on the album"
— via Twitter
You're Not Special Babe
Orla Gartland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the outside in
You'd say you don't have to be more thin, it's ok
And if you could see yourself
From above the sky
I think you'd say that you're doing fine
Honestly, it's kinda long
And it takes a while to come around
People always let you down
Find the ones that get you
Stick to them like hot glue
Dance if you want to
'Cause you're not special, babe (no)
I know you feel like your life is one big mistake I
I'm right there on your side
You're not special, babe (no)
'Cause we all we go from heartbreak to happy to heartbreak
Some things just don't change
You, you're an adult now
Make your own to-do list
And eat whatever you want for breakfast, yeah
Get a job just to get by
Spend your money 'til you die
Some people don't stick around
But don't let yourself down
Find the ones that get you
Stick to them like hot glue
And dance if you want to
'Cause you're not special, babe (no)
I know you feel like your life is one big mistake I
I'm right there on your side
You're not special, babe (no)
'Cause we all we go from heartbreak to happy to heartbreak
Some things just don't change
Everyone cries, everyone lies
Everyone hates you
Everyone's so scared of the future, it's true
Everyone fucks up and then breaks up and then makes up
Everyone has days where they don't wanna wake up
Everyone loves, everyone loses
And they're on their own
When everyone else is covered in bruises but we feel alone
And everyone hears us but they all seem to ignore us
Everyone else wants to get right back to the chorus
You're not special, babe (no)
I know you feel like your life is one big mistake I
I'm right there on your side
You're not special, babe (no)
'Cause we all we go from heartbreak to happy to heartbreak
Some things just don't change
In "You're Not Special Babe," Orla Gartland reminds listeners that the struggles they are going through are common to all people, and that they are not alone in their experiences. The song starts by saying that if you could see yourself from a different perspective, you would realize that you don't need to change. It goes on to acknowledge that life is long and challenging, but it's crucial to find people who understand us and stick to them. The chorus repeats the song's message that nobody is special and that everyone goes through heartbreak, but it's essential to keep going to find happiness.
Gartland's lyrics explore the challenges of growing up and becoming an adult. The song advises listeners to make their own to-do list, eat whatever they want for breakfast, and find a job to get by. However, it acknowledges that life isn't always easy, and sometimes people we think will stick around leave us. Nonetheless, the song emphasizes that it's vital to find people who "get" us and stick with them through thick and thin. Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone struggles, which is the poignant message of the song.
The song is an anthem to confidence and self-affirmation. It points out that sometimes we believe our lives are a mess, but that's very far from the truth. It advocates that we must love ourselves and be our most excellent cheerleaders. In conclusion, "You're Not Special Babe" is an empowering and hopeful song. It encourages people to take life head-on, believing that they have the strength to overcome whatever challenges come their way.
Line by Line Meaning
If you could see yourself
From the outside in
You'd say you don't have to be more thin, it's ok
If you could view yourself from someone else's perspective, you'd realize that you're good enough the way you are and don't have to strive for unrealistic standards of beauty.
And if you could see yourself
From above the sky
I think you'd say that you're doing fine
If you could see the bigger picture of your life, you'd realize that you're doing just fine despite the little setbacks and imperfections along the way.
Life is short until it's not
Honestly, it's kinda long
And it takes a while to come around
People always let you down
Life can be both fleeting and seemingly never-ending, and it often takes a long time to figure things out. People will inevitably disappoint you sometimes.
Find the ones that get you
Stick to them like hot glue
Dance if you want to
Look for the people who truly understand and accept you, and hold onto them. Don't be afraid to express yourself and have fun.
'Cause you're not special, babe (no)
I know you feel like your life is one big mistake I
I'm right there on your side
Despite feeling like you're nothing special and that your life is full of mistakes, you're not alone in your struggles and someone is there for you.
You, you're an adult now
Make your own to-do list
And eat whatever you want for breakfast, yeah
As an adult, it's up to you to set your priorities and choose what you want for yourself, including what you eat for breakfast.
Get a job just to get by
Spend your money 'til you die
Some people don't stick around
But don't let yourself down
Get a job to support yourself, but don't forget to enjoy life and don't rely on anyone else to make you happy.
Everyone cries, everyone lies
Everyone hates you
Everyone's so scared of the future, it's true
Everyone goes through difficult emotions and situations, and fears what's to come in the future.
Everyone fucks up and then breaks up and then makes up
Everyone has days where they don't wanna wake up
Everyone loves, everyone loses
And they're on their own
Everyone makes mistakes and experiences heartbreak, but ultimately they have to face it on their own.
When everyone else is covered in bruises but we feel alone
And everyone hears us but they all seem to ignore us
Everyone else wants to get right back to the chorus
Despite feeling isolated in our pain, people do hear us, but they might not always know how to respond. Everyone wants to move forward and get to the happy part of life.
'Cause we all we go from heartbreak to happy to heartbreak
Some things just don't change
Life is full of ups and downs, and some things are just a constant part of the human experience.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Orla Gartland, Tom Stafford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gloomaker
Orla Gartland - You're not special, babe (Lyrics)
If you could see yourself, from the outside in
you'd say that you don't have to be more thin
It's okay, and if you, could see yourself
from above the sky, i think you'd say that you're doing fine
Life is short until it's not
Honestly, it's kinda long
And it takes a while to come around
People always let you down
Find the one's that get you
And stick them in like hot glue
Dance if you want to
Cause you're not special, babe
I know you feel like you're life is one big mistake
I'm right there on your side
You're not special, babe
Cause we all go from heartbreak to happy to heartbreak
Something's just don't change
You, you're an adult now
Make your own to do list
And eat whatever you want for breakfast
Yeah, get a job just to get by
Spend your money till you die
Some people don't stick around
But, don't let yourself down
Find the one's that get you
And stick them in like hot glue
And dance if you want to
Cause you're not special, babe
I know you feel like you're life is one big mistake
I'm right there on your side
You're not special, babe
Cause we all go from heartbreak to happy to heartbreak
Something's just don't change
Everyone cries
Everyone lies
Everyone hates you
Everyone is so scared of the future it's true
Everyone fucks up, and then breaks up and then makes up
Everyone has days where they don't wanna wake up
Everyone loves
Everyone loses
And they're on they're on their own
When everyone else is covered in bruises
But we feel alone
And everyone hears us, but they all seem to ignore us
Everyone else wants to get right back to the chorus
You're not special, babe
I know you feel like you're life is one big mistake
I'm right there on your side
You're not special, babe
Cause we all go from heartbreak to happy to heartbreak
Something's just don't change
Bea
was feeling really f$ckin shitty and then I watch a song literally called "your not special babe" and it comforted me?? the pure POWER this woman has!!
mick campbell
Pppppp
durivian
conan pfp :)
loverrlee
Right?? I wasn't expecting to cry when I clicked this video but here we are 😭😭😭
Neal Bohl
Totally agreed. Sometimes it helps to know that everyone else is dealing with similar garbage. And Orla conveys that sentiment in a way that cuts straight to the soul.
Marissa Hayton
Only Orla can find a way to say “you’re not alone” in your failures and heartbreak that is unique, relatable, AND ALSO A WHOLE FRICKEN BOP???? HOW DID U EVEN?? And also not cliché or insincere whatsoever? Plz give me 1/18th or ur talent thank you
Orla Gartland
HOPE YOU LOVE IT! the last single from my debut album, out august 20th. :')
Sev
THIS IS AMAZING
A
It’s amazing!!!!
Phoebe Cereal
Babe, I don't think you need to hope anymore :)