Por… Read Full Bio ↴DIY bedroom music, inspired by folk, indie, punk, and feelings.
Porch Cat is the solo project of Chan Benicki, a non-binary musician from the Pacific Northwest (currently Portland, OR). Porch Cat sings about being sad, self love, sleeping, mental & chronic illness, anarchism, and feeling restless. They play guitar, ukulele, saw, and more throughout their albums.
Among solo recordings, Porch Cat has also released music with other bandmates including The Fairweather Family (Bellingham, WA) and The Ragshakers (PDX).
Dream Girl
Porch Cat Lyrics
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When you say you’re breaking up he acts like love has died
He can't be with someone he can’t change
And you can’t be with someone who won’t call you by your name
He likes your hair a little longer
He can’t stand you being stronger
Stab your own thigh, watch it bleed
Just get this boy away from me
I don’t even know what that means
Am I a man or am I a queen?
I keep dreaming we got married
Or we find each other after all these years
I keep dreaming all the bad things
The hiding and the fucking fears
Of being hated for being me
Of being hated for being me
Of being hated for being me
Of being hated for being me
I can’t be the girl of your dreams
I don’t even know what that means
Am I a man or am I a queen?
When you’re dreaming of me
I’m dreaming of a girl
She looks like heaven to me
She looks like the whole world
I can’t be the girl of your dreams
I don’t even know what that means
Am I a man or am I a queen?
I don’t even know what that means
I can’t be the girl of your dreams
I don’t even know what that means
Am I a man or am I a queen?
Am I a man or am I a queen?
I’ll be your man, yeah I’ll be your queen
The lyrics of Porch Cat's song "Dream Girl" touch upon themes of identity, self-acceptance, and societal expectations. The singer in the song appears to be expressing feelings of frustration and confusion in a relationship where they feel misunderstood and constrained by traditional gender norms.
The opening lines highlight the struggle between staying true to oneself and conforming to the expectations of others, particularly the "straight boy" who cannot accept the singer's pride and individuality. The singer feels trapped in a relationship where they are not fully seen or appreciated for who they are, leading to a sense of conflict and disconnection.
As the lyrics progress, the singer delves deeper into their own internal struggles with identity. They question whether they are perceived as a man or a queen, grappling with societal labels and expectations that may not accurately reflect their true self. The mention of self-harm and feelings of inadequacy further emphasize the emotional turmoil and pressure the singer is experiencing in trying to navigate their sense of self within the confines of a relationship that does not fully embrace them.
The repetition of the chorus "I can’t be the girl of your dreams, I don’t even know what that means, Am I a man or am I a queen?" underscores the internal conflict and uncertainty the singer feels about their identity and place in the world. They struggle with the dichotomies presented to them, feeling torn between societal expectations and their authentic self.
The closing lines of the song, "I’ll be your man, yeah I’ll be your queen," could be interpreted as the singer ultimately embracing their fluidity and complexity, refusing to be confined by binary definitions of gender and instead asserting their right to define themselves on their own terms. Overall, "Dream Girl" is a poignant exploration of the challenges and conflicts inherent in self-discovery, acceptance, and navigating relationships in a world that may not always understand or accept the full spectrum of human identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Straight boy thinks it’s kind of weird that you have pride
Traditional gender norms are challenged by a person expressing self-confidence.
When you say you’re breaking up he acts like love has died
A lack of understanding and emotional reaction to a breakup.
He can't be with someone he can’t change
A desire to control and change someone rather than accepting them as they are.
And you can’t be with someone who won’t call you by your name
The importance of being respected and acknowledged for who you truly are.
He likes your hair a little longer
Preference for conforming to traditional gender stereotypes.
He can’t stand you being stronger
Insecurity towards someone showing strength and independence.
Stab your own thigh, watch it bleed
Metaphor for self-harm and internal struggles.
Just get this boy away from me
The need to distance oneself from toxic relationships.
I can’t be the girl of your dreams
Refusing to conform to someone else's idealized version of femininity.
I don’t even know what that means
Questioning societal expectations and stereotypes.
Am I a man or am I a queen?
Exploring personal gender identity and expression.
When you’re dreaming of me
Acknowledging the difference between reality and perception.
I’m dreaming of a girl
Imagining a version of oneself that feels authentic.
She looks like heaven to me
Finding peace and happiness in self-acceptance.
She looks like the whole world
Embracing one's identity as all-encompassing and fulfilling.
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Chan Benicki
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind