Meaning and Lyrics of Dollhouse by Melanie Martinez
Song Lyrics meaning of Dollhouse by Melanie Martinez
About Melanie Martinez
Melanie Martinez is an American singer-songwriter who burst onto the music scene with her unique blend of dark pop and alternative sounds. Born on April 28, 1995, in Astoria, New York, Martinez first gained public attention as a contestant on the third season of the television show The Voice in 2012.
Her debut single, “Dollhouse,” released in 2014, showcased her signature style: haunting melodies layered over catchy pop beats, with lyrics exploring themes of childhood trauma and societal expectations. This track set the stage for her concept album “Cry Baby” (2015), which told the story of a character named Cry Baby through a series of interconnected songs and music videos.
Martinez’s aesthetic is as distinct as her sound, often featuring pastel colors, childlike imagery, and a juxtaposition of innocence and darkness. Her visual artistry extends to her music videos, which she frequently directs herself, creating a cohesive multimedia experience for her fans.
Following the success of “Cry Baby,” Martinez released her sophomore album “K-12” in 2019, accompanied by a full-length film. This project further developed her narrative style and cemented her status as a conceptual artist pushing the boundaries of pop music.
Martinez’s unique approach to music and visuals has earned her a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim, establishing her as a distinctive voice in contemporary pop.
Her debut single, “Dollhouse,” released in 2014, showcased her signature style: haunting melodies layered over catchy pop beats, with lyrics exploring themes of childhood trauma and societal expectations. This track set the stage for her concept album “Cry Baby” (2015), which told the story of a character named Cry Baby through a series of interconnected songs and music videos.
Martinez’s aesthetic is as distinct as her sound, often featuring pastel colors, childlike imagery, and a juxtaposition of innocence and darkness. Her visual artistry extends to her music videos, which she frequently directs herself, creating a cohesive multimedia experience for her fans.
Following the success of “Cry Baby,” Martinez released her sophomore album “K-12” in 2019, accompanied by a full-length film. This project further developed her narrative style and cemented her status as a conceptual artist pushing the boundaries of pop music.
Martinez’s unique approach to music and visuals has earned her a dedicated fanbase and critical acclaim, establishing her as a distinctive voice in contemporary pop.
Meaning of Dollhouse by Melanie Martinez
“Dollhouse” by Melanie Martinez is a haunting and dark exploration of a seemingly perfect but deeply dysfunctional family. The song tells the story of a family filled with secrets, deceit, and facades, hidden behind a façade of perfectionism.
In the Verse 1, the lyrics reveal a troubled household – a mother who is oblivious to her husband’s infidelity and her son’s drug use, depicting a family living a lie. The daughter pleads for her mother to wake up to the reality of their situation, but her cries go unheard. The notion of playing with dolls symbolizes the artificiality and manipulation within the family dynamic.
The Pre-Chorus emphasizes the theme of being ignored and unseen, highlighting the disconnect between the family members and the outside world. The mention of “wallpaper glistens” suggests that the perfect image presented to others is just a surface-level illusion.
In the Chorus, the repetition of “Places, places, get in your places” reflects the act of putting on a show for the outside world, urging the family members to maintain their roles and personas. The plea to not let others “look through the curtains” implies a fear of exposure and vulnerability.
The Post-Chorus with the repetition of “D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E, I see things that nobody else sees” underscores the idea of having a unique perspective on the family’s dysfunction that is hidden from public view.
In Verse 2, the focus shifts to the mother, who is portrayed as superficial and unaware of the reality around her. Her actions, like reaching for a flask when no one is looking, reveal her coping mechanisms and urge to maintain appearances.
The Breakdown and repeated Chorus emphasize the cyclical nature of the family’s charade, with the children being urged to uphold the illusion of perfection despite the underlying turmoil.
Overall, “Dollhouse” is a commentary on the pressure to conform to societal expectations of perfection, the struggles of hidden family dynamics, and the toll of maintaining a facade of happiness. The song delves into the complexities of family relationships and the consequences of living a lie, ultimately urging listeners to see beyond the surface and acknowledge the imperfections and vulnerabilities that exist behind closed doors.
In the Verse 1, the lyrics reveal a troubled household – a mother who is oblivious to her husband’s infidelity and her son’s drug use, depicting a family living a lie. The daughter pleads for her mother to wake up to the reality of their situation, but her cries go unheard. The notion of playing with dolls symbolizes the artificiality and manipulation within the family dynamic.
The Pre-Chorus emphasizes the theme of being ignored and unseen, highlighting the disconnect between the family members and the outside world. The mention of “wallpaper glistens” suggests that the perfect image presented to others is just a surface-level illusion.
In the Chorus, the repetition of “Places, places, get in your places” reflects the act of putting on a show for the outside world, urging the family members to maintain their roles and personas. The plea to not let others “look through the curtains” implies a fear of exposure and vulnerability.
The Post-Chorus with the repetition of “D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E, I see things that nobody else sees” underscores the idea of having a unique perspective on the family’s dysfunction that is hidden from public view.
In Verse 2, the focus shifts to the mother, who is portrayed as superficial and unaware of the reality around her. Her actions, like reaching for a flask when no one is looking, reveal her coping mechanisms and urge to maintain appearances.
The Breakdown and repeated Chorus emphasize the cyclical nature of the family’s charade, with the children being urged to uphold the illusion of perfection despite the underlying turmoil.
Overall, “Dollhouse” is a commentary on the pressure to conform to societal expectations of perfection, the struggles of hidden family dynamics, and the toll of maintaining a facade of happiness. The song delves into the complexities of family relationships and the consequences of living a lie, ultimately urging listeners to see beyond the surface and acknowledge the imperfections and vulnerabilities that exist behind closed doors.
Lyrics of Dollhouse by Melanie Martinez
Verse 1
Hey girl, open the walls
Play with your dolls
We'll be a perfect family
When you walk away is when we really play
You don't hear me when I say
"Mom, please wake up
Dad's with a s**t
And your son is smoking cannabis"
Pre-Chorus
No one ever listens
This wallpaper glistens
Don't let them see what goes down in the kitchen
Chorus
Places, places, get in your places
"Throw on your dress and put on your doll faces"
Everyone thinks that we're perfect
Please don't let them look through the curtains
Picture, picture, smile for the picture
"Pose with your brother, won't you be a good sister?"
Everyone thinks that we're perfect
Please don't let them look through the curtains
Post-Chorus
D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E
I see things that nobody else sees
(D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E)
(I see things that nobody else sees)
Verse 2
Hey girl, look at my mom
She's got it going on
Ha, you're blinded by her jewelry
When you turn your back
She pulls out a flask
And forgets his infidelity
Uh oh, she's coming to the attic, plastic
Go back to being plastic
Pre-Chorus
No one ever listens
This wallpaper glistens
One day they'll see what goes down in the kitchen
Chorus
Places, places, get in your places
"Throw on your dress and put on your doll faces"
Everyone thinks that we're perfect
Please don't let them look through the curtains
Picture, picture, smile for the picture
"Pose with your brother, won't you be a good sister?"
Everyone thinks that we're perfect
Please don't let them look through the curtains
Post-Chorus
D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E
I see things that nobody else sees
(D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E)
(I see things that nobody else sees)
Breakdown
Hey girl (Hey girl)
Hey girl, open your walls
Play with your dolls
We'll be a perfect family
Chorus
Places, places, get in your places
"Throw on your dress and put on your doll faces"
Everyone thinks that we're perfect
Please don't let them look through the curtains
Picture, picture, smile for the picture
"Pose with your brother, won't you be a good sister?"
Everyone thinks that we're perfect
Please don't let them look through the curtains
Post-Chorus
D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E
I see things that nobody else sees
(D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E)
(I see things that nobody else sees)
Hey girl, open the walls
Play with your dolls
We'll be a perfect family
When you walk away is when we really play
You don't hear me when I say
"Mom, please wake up
Dad's with a s**t
And your son is smoking cannabis"
Pre-Chorus
No one ever listens
This wallpaper glistens
Don't let them see what goes down in the kitchen
Chorus
Places, places, get in your places
"Throw on your dress and put on your doll faces"
Everyone thinks that we're perfect
Please don't let them look through the curtains
Picture, picture, smile for the picture
"Pose with your brother, won't you be a good sister?"
Everyone thinks that we're perfect
Please don't let them look through the curtains
Post-Chorus
D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E
I see things that nobody else sees
(D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E)
(I see things that nobody else sees)
Verse 2
Hey girl, look at my mom
She's got it going on
Ha, you're blinded by her jewelry
When you turn your back
She pulls out a flask
And forgets his infidelity
Uh oh, she's coming to the attic, plastic
Go back to being plastic
Pre-Chorus
No one ever listens
This wallpaper glistens
One day they'll see what goes down in the kitchen
Chorus
Places, places, get in your places
"Throw on your dress and put on your doll faces"
Everyone thinks that we're perfect
Please don't let them look through the curtains
Picture, picture, smile for the picture
"Pose with your brother, won't you be a good sister?"
Everyone thinks that we're perfect
Please don't let them look through the curtains
Post-Chorus
D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E
I see things that nobody else sees
(D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E)
(I see things that nobody else sees)
Breakdown
Hey girl (Hey girl)
Hey girl, open your walls
Play with your dolls
We'll be a perfect family
Chorus
Places, places, get in your places
"Throw on your dress and put on your doll faces"
Everyone thinks that we're perfect
Please don't let them look through the curtains
Picture, picture, smile for the picture
"Pose with your brother, won't you be a good sister?"
Everyone thinks that we're perfect
Please don't let them look through the curtains
Post-Chorus
D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E
I see things that nobody else sees
(D-O-L-L-H-O-U-S-E)
(I see things that nobody else sees)
Discography Melanie Martinez
PORTALS (Deluxe)
Release: 2023-04-05
Label: Atlantic Records
Popularity: 👏👏👏
PORTALS
Release: 2023-03-31
Label: Atlantic Records
Popularity: 👏👏👏👏
K-12 (After School – Deluxe Edition)
Release: 2020-09-24
Label: Atlantic Records
Popularity: 👏👏👏👏
Upcoming Events for Melanie Martinez
Melanie Martinez: The Trilogy Tour
Price Range: $45.5 – 105.5
Date: 2024-07-31
Location: GIANT Center
Melanie Martinez - the Trilogy Tour
Price Range: $63.4 – 95.3
Date: 2024-09-18
Location: 3Arena
Melanie Martinez - the Trilogy Tour
Price Range: $0 – 387.5
Date: 2024-09-21
Location: Co-op Live
Subscribe
Login
0 Comments
Stream Dollhouse on your favorite platform
Share Dollhouse Song Meaning with your friends
