meanings The meaning of Mika’s “Grace Kelly”
The many interpretations of Grace Kelly
EDIT: Since writing this, many people have added their own thoughts in the comments below. Don’t miss them, and thanks to everyone that contributed!
I had been hoping this one would eventually die out, but no. At least twice a week, someone still asks, “What’s the meaning of Mika’s ‘Grace Kelly‘?” On the face of it, it’s simply another song about being whatever the other person wants you to be (an idea I find creepy in itself, but this is pop music not psychoanalysis). But when I read the lyrics again carefully, I wasn’t so sure
Why the doubt about something that seems so obvious? Well take the opening lines:
“I wanna talk to you.
The last time we talked Mr. Smith
you reduced me to tears.
I promise you it won’t happen again!”
Mr Smith? Who’s that? Why the reference to tears? Is this going to be a revenge song, à la “I Will Survive” or what? But no, Mika continues:
“Why don’t you like me?
Why don’t you like me without making me try?I try to be like Grace Kelly
Mmm Mmm
But all her looks were too sad
Ahh Ahh
So I tried a little Freddie
Mmm Mmm
I’ve gone identity mad!”
Later,
“Why don’t you like me?
Why don’t you like me?
Why don’t you walk out the door!”
You know what? I’m beginning to wonder why too. As for,
“Humphrey we’re leaving!”
I can only guess what he’s referring to.
Am I being too hard on a pop song? Most likely yes. But I have to admit that the lyrics are confusing. With a little more work, they could have been better. For a while, for example, I didn’t make the connection between the song everyone was talking about and the song that I was hearing non-stop on the radio as the reference to Grace Kelly is buried.
Apart from that, I think it’s a fun, campy song and look forward to more from Mika.
“Grace Kelly” was written by Dan Warner, Jodi Marr, John Merchant and Michael Penniman. Click here for more talk about song lyrics.