“Mrs. Potato Head” by Melanie Martinez
In “Mrs. Potato Head”, Melanie Martinez simply addresses women who undergo plastic surgeries. She suggests that they have been brainwashed to accept what the media and society define as beauty without thinking. She advises them to take caution in the first verse, as these trends change very often and one may not be able to keep up with them.
Melanie references the 90s toy “Mrs Potatohead” which has several stick-on features to represent women who alter their body parts with plastic surgeries. In doing so, she questions if they feel happy knowing that such actions cannot be reversed. The reason she believes these women change their natural look is to feel more confident and fit in the media’s portrayal of beauty. However, the end result is a permanent feeling of uncertainty about one’s own looks and whether a significant other will still be with them when their altered parts begin to deteriorate.
Melanie Martinez explains the meaning of “Mrs. Potato Head”
Explaining the message behind the song to VICE, Melanie mentioned that in “Mrs. Potato Head”, her alter ego, Cry Baby is more confident about her own self, and forms her opinions on beauty. She explained that the song was not about her criticizing women who get plastic surgery, but rather questioning them on why they do it when they are actually more beautiful naturally.
Melanie also revealed to Hollywire TV that the song was created after a visit to L.A where she saw several people with plastic surgeries.
Release Date of “Mrs. Potato Head”
“Mrs. Potato Head” came out as a feature on Melanie’s first album “Cry Baby” on 14 August 2015.
A snippet of the song had leaked a couple of weeks beforehand due to an illegal recording a fan had made.
Melanie Martinez herself had teased the song on 1 June 2015.
Writing and Production
This track was produced by One Love, who also served as a co-writer alongside Kinetic and Melanie Martinez.
Martinez also directed the song’s music video.
Was “Mrs. Potato Head” released as a single?
No. “Cry Baby” was promoted by only the following singles:
- “Pity Party”
- “Soap“
- “Sippy Cup“
this song is creepy and i don’t like it because I’m 11 and I’m going to have nightmares now
don’t be scared, this song brings awareness of toxic beauty standards there shouldn’t be a reason to be scared, you should be more sad than scared of this song.
I just feel sad that women like me and possibly you have to deal with this stuff. This song is also so catchy and I love it.
oh jeez, i’m 12. i’m ashamed to be in the same age group as you, how much of a coward can you even get?
hey dont judge ppl it’s valid to be scared
how can you be scared of this song?? I’m 11 and it’s literally not scary. they need to grow up.
“omg im so cool bc im 12 and mature for my age!!! im better cuz this song doesnt scare me :33” literally shut up nobody gaf
What a bi-ch of a 12 year old you are I’m the same age like if the kid is scared of the song so be it
I’m 18 and this song disturbs me ?
It’s a good song
I’m 10 and I love it and the music video
I’m 11 too. it wasn’t scary but it made me reconsider? I like the song. maybe I didn’t find it creepy cause I like weird and creepy things and was born different ??
Why are you listening to her music at such a young age? That’s your fault for listening in the first place.
this is terrifying and very disturbing my and my freind hat it so much and my are they making a song on my wife?
some people like this song and the song speaks to them if you don’t like it then don’t talk
you sound like haters melanie martenez songs speak to people but to you they don’t speak if you have something mean to say then don’t type it
if you don’t have anything nice to type then don’t type it some people actually like this song because it speaks to them and this song speaks to me
This song is an intriguing commentary on the temporary but very toxic beauty standards women hold, and how society takes advantage of insecurities and enhances them for nobodies benefit. It’s just a cycle of hate.
This song shows how toxic standards are, making people feel like they need to change or alter themselves to “fit in”, but also have the consequences behind it all. All I gotta say Is “You don’t need to make other people happy to deserve happiness!
This comment section is just on one comment jesus Christ
This song has a really beautiful message to it and I feel like Melanie should promote awarness on this kind of stuff more
I’m doing assessment on this song and I’m so losted
u got this, good luck 😉
me too
same omg
Me too LMAO
This song has a great meaning to it and the lyrics were worded so well…The music video on the other hand kinda made me feel freaked out and a little depressed.
This song inspires me and makes me cry knowing that a lot of women and men can’t be their best selves because they are too busy comparing themselves to models and other people they think are prettier or better looking than them. We are beautiful and unique in our own way. You should love yourself and not care about what people think about you.
same i actually cried just watching the video. it just has a deep meaning that really stands out to teenagers or older kids
Lyrics: That’s such a powerful message.
Music Video: GET THAT PLASTIC SURGERY BUNNY AWAY FROM ME!!!!
what do they mean “even if her face dosent stay together”??? because i was waching gacha life and there faces started falling apart
this is a great song but i that bit freaks me out a bit?
Basically in the line “even if her face doesnt stay together” she meant that some people that have plastic surgery on their face that the wound might not heal so fast and scars might be left behing and she is meaning it quite litrally like “yeah try it out but your face might just look worse after it” so I think she is talking about that (does this make sense?)
It is kind of scary, but I believe that it shows how toxic the beauty standards that the media gives us are. It was terrifying, but it was for a good cause.
this is my favorite song i dont wanna do plastic surgery anymor T_T
Can I just say how I love that she made a book to go along with this album and a YouTube movie to go along with K-12!
I’ve never heard of any music artist do that until now. I <3 you Melanie!!!
I’m about to be 12 and I am not scared of this but that does not mean you have to make fun of other ppl if their scared
I feel like this song has another interpretation about how you present to others: feeling like you are unable to keep up a happy facade in order to satisfy those around you and thinking that you are too unattractive because of your incapability to present how others expect you to
e.g “pretty soon you’ll be bored of it”- expecting people to feel tired/annoyed at you for not appearing how they want you to
“baby soft skin turns into leather”- putting up a barrier/blocking true emotions
“no one will love you if you’re unattractive”- fear of people leaving you because they’re bored of you
“do you swear you’ll stay forever, even if her face don’t stay together”- trying to keep other people around you happy by faking happiness but being unable to maintain that facade
“little girls are learning how to cut and paste”-reflects how in society women are expected to smile and appear kind to others
For me I relate a lot more to the this interpretation so I thought I’d share my ideas on it
This is a very good song I like the way Melanie “hides” the true meaning of the song behind a reference to make it “child friendly” I’m personally an 11 yr old Melanie fan so I’m very interested in the meanings and messages
Why are so many little girls listening to this song lol.
Honestly this song is just really sad.
Hey y’all! This song is dope. Luv it.
Why are you guys all 10-12- I feel so old rn-
This song kinda freaks me out because in the beginning she was so much prettier and cute and she thought she had to undergo all this plastic surgery to be “pretty” like all these cover girls and after that she was so like wrinkly and bloody and skinny but unhealthy and had to watch this girl kiss a guy in a happy relationship in the end meaning that this son* not only makes me really sad, but it kinda creeps me out cuz I hav a terrible fear of blood ? ?
tbh it’s true me being 14 is so insacure that i have tryed changing everything about me but she is right everyone is amazing and tbh everyone should have as much cofendents like her il her so much and i hope she makes many more songs and maybe don’t be so rude to people because you think your better then them and this song should apply to boys to because now day you never know and blood is cool to me but eh and i just lost my grandpa 3/22/23 and he hated plastic that stuff so i never gonna change me for someone elses enjoyment.
Yea me too. Around 2 years ago, when I was 13, I felt like I was too overweight, obese even. So, I worked out, ate less, and suffered because I wanted to blend in. Once, I even bleached my hair to get the boys. Now I feel ashamed for letting myself succumb to society’s beauty standards…