Cheerleader
by St. Vincent Lyrics
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With some bad guys
I've told whole lies
With a half smile
Held your bare bones
With my clothes on
I've thrown rocks
Then hid both my arms
I don't know what good it serves
Pouring my purse in the dirt
But I-I-I-I-I don't wanna be your cheerleader no more
I-I-I-I-I don't wanna be your cheerleader no more
I've played dumb
When I knew better
Tried too hard
Just to be clever
I know honest thieves
I call family
I've seen America
With no clothes on
But I-I-I-I-I don't wanna be a cheerleader no more
I-I-I-I-I don't wanna be a cheerleader no more
I don't know what I deserve
But for you I could work
'Cause I don't wanna be a cheerleader no more
I don't wanna be a cheerleader no more
I don't wanna be a cheerleader no more
I don't wanna be a dirt eater no more
I don't wanna be a dirt eater no more
I don't wanna be a cheerleader no more
In St. Vincent's song "Cheerleader," the lyrics describe a woman's realization that she doesn't want to continue being the supportive cheerleader for her partner or for anyone else. The lyrics suggest experiences that are both good and bad, indicating the character's capacity for both but particularly focusing on the negative aspects of them, shown by phrases such as "I've had good times with some bad guys" and "I've told whole lies with a half smile." The next line, "Held your bare bones with my clothes on," suggests that the person is keeping her distance from the relationship out of a desire to keep a certain level of privacy and independence.
Overall, the tone of the lyrics is complex, as it reveals the character's ambivalence between wanting to do the right thing and wanting to maintain her sense of self. This tension is especially evident in the repetition of the phrase, "I don't know what [something] serves" (in this particular case, "pouring my purse in the dirt"). The final lines of the chorus, where St. Vincent sings "I don't wanna be a cheerleader no more," show the woman's determination to step away from the role of being someone else's constant champion.
Line by Line Meaning
I've had good times
I've had enjoyable moments in my life
With some bad guys
But they were with people who had negative qualities
I've told whole lies
I've lied completely
With a half smile
Even though I was smiling, my emotions weren't genuine
Held your bare bones
I held you when you were vulnerable
With my clothes on
But I kept myself guarded
I've thrown rocks
I've caused harm to others
Then hid both my arms
But I didn't take responsibility for my actions
I don't know what good it serves
I see no purpose in doing something that doesn't benefit anyone
Pouring my purse in the dirt
Wasting my resources and time on something that has no value
But I-I-I-I-I don't wanna be your cheerleader no more
I don't want to blindly support you anymore
I've played dumb
I pretended to be ignorant
When I knew better
Even though I knew the truth
Tried too hard
I went overboard
Just to be clever
To try to impress others with my intelligence
I know honest thieves
I know people who do wrong but are truthful about it
I call family
I see them as part of my closest relationships
I've seen America
I've experienced the true nature of this country
With no clothes on
With complete honesty and exposed vulnerabilities
I don't know what I deserve
I don't know what I should rightfully receive
But for you I could work
But for you, I could put in the effort
'Cause I don't wanna be a cheerleader no more
Because I don't want to blindly support you anymore
I don't wanna be a dirt eater no more
I don't want to waste my time on meaningless things anymore
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Anne Clark
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@prithvijeetsinha379
The lyrics to this song already made it clear but the visuals excellently lay bare the intricacies of human scrutiny and how people, especially artists, are raised to the top and then dismantled without any notice owing to an insincerely discerning audience. Also the human gaze can break one apart in multiple ways. What a powerful concept . It made me love the visuals even more. Pre- Masseduction St. Vincent videos truly stand out with their dissections of society.
@jasminemarie5431
I remember when I was in 6th grade and found this song and was instantly inspired to speak up for myself and walk away from the bullies which helped me realize that all the little people I surround myself with weren't the ones holding me down, I could always get up and leave.
@funkyred4
That's dope, mate
@Strawberry95shortie
That’s so cute. Keep that energy
@cestlavi
she's just SO beautiful.
@manuvsassat
She sure is and so, so talented!
@charlotteanne9606
Lara G YASSSSSSS
@summertimejesus
@Steven Would you say the same thing if she were a man?
@gdluna3856
So true ☺
@invadermarshall6351
That 500th like ;)