She Works Out Too Much by MGMT Lyrics Meaning – A Dissection of Modern Love and Fitness Obsession

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for MGMT's She Works Out Too Much at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Get ready to have some fun
Alright here we go
Five, four three, two, and one
Are you ready to work out?

Don’t take it the wrong way
I can never keep up
Sick of liking your selfies
Should’ve gone with my gut
Maybe I’m in a movie
Maybe I’m out to lunch
But I’m constantly swiping it, tapping
It’s not that relaxing
I need a new routine

(He’s trying)
(She works out too much)
The only reason we never worked out was
He didn’t work out
(He’s trying)
(She works out too much)
The only reason we never worked out was
He didn’t work out enough
(He’s trying)

Let’s move on to the next step
Step, touch, step, touch
Come on
Get on your hands and knees
Ready? Here we go

Welcome to the shitshow
Grab a comfortable seat
Find me in the front row
Listening to music
Anyone can see

(He’s trying)
(She works out too much)
(She works out too much and)
The only reason we never worked out was
He didn’t work out
(He’s trying)
(She works out too much)
(She works out too much and)
The only reason we never worked out was
He didn’t work out enough

Remember to drink a glass of water before and after your workout (he’s trying)
Form and shake
Stick with it
Here we go!

I’m going off the deep end
Time to let myself go
Nothing’s ever as easy as when
It never begins
The end is just a dream

(He’s trying)
(She works out too much)
(She works out too much and)
The only reason we never worked out was
He didn’t work out
(He’s trying)
(She works out too much)
(She works out too much and)
The only reason we never worked out was
He didn’t work out enough
(He’s trying)
(She works out too much)
(She works out too much and)
The only reason we never worked out was
He didn’t work out
(He’s trying)
(She works out too much)
(She works out too much and)
The only reason we never worked out was
He didn’t work out enough
(He’s trying)
(She works out too much)
The only reason we never worked out was
We didn’t work out, it never works out
No, it never works out
She works out too much
No, I never work out (she works out too much)
It didn’t work out
No, it never works out

Okay, we’re done

As contemporary poets of the psyche, MGMT has a knack for wrapping perceptive insights in psychedelic synths and satirical lyrics. Their track ‘She Works Out Too Much’ from the album ‘Little Dark Age’ teases out the complexities of a relationship soured by one partner’s fixation on fitness. The title itself is a clever bait-and-switch, initially setting up an expectation for a lighthearted pop song about healthy living but then leading listeners into a deeper exploration of personal and societal hang-ups.

The song stitches together an 80s-inspired aerobics aesthetic with a storyline that is quintessentially modern: a boyfriend’s struggle to keep up with his girlfriend’s intense workout regimen and the undercurrent of social media’s impact on self-worth and relationships. We dive into the heart rate-increasing, serotonin-releasing track to illuminate the genius behind MGMT’s masterful blend of commentary and catchy composition.

The Paradox of Wellness: Chasing Health at the Cost of Happiness

The magnetic pulse of ‘She Works Out Too Much’ isn’t just physical – it’s emotional. MGMT uses the medium of a relationship to illustrate a cultural obsession with wellness that can ironically lead to personal unwellness. It’s not simply a breakup song; it’s a reflection on how the pursuit of physical health may lead us to neglect our emotional and relational health. The protagonist realizes that their connection didn’t fail because of a lack of effort, but perhaps because the effort was misplaced, funneled into appearances rather than the true fabric of their bond.

The song’s juxtaposition of irony and high-energy pop highlights the duality that exists within our modern approach to self-improvement. We are motivated, perhaps even pressured, to sculpt the ‘perfect’ self, while simultaneously navigating the perceived judgment of others—which unfolds in real-time thanks to the ubiquitous presence of social media.

An 80s Beat with a 21st-Century Problem: Technology in Relationships

Blending retro beats with contemporary issues, MGMT crafts an 80s workout tape ambiance that underscores, rather than undermines, the narrative of technological disruption. There’s a certain level of nostalgia in the song’s composition that might mislead the listener to think of simpler times, yet it serves as a pointed contrast to the complexities introduced by tech in modern romance—’constantly swiping it, tapping’.

This juxtaposition serves as a poignant commentary on how online habits can become as routine, and as grueling, as a workout regime. Just as we meticulously track our steps and calories, we’ve become accustomed to monitoring likes, swipes, and selfies, turning our digital lives into another metric of personal success or failure.

Finding Connection in Disconnection: The Hidden Meaning

While ‘She Works Out Too Much’ may be interpreted at face value as a quip on misaligned relationship priorities, it gathers depth with each listen. The repeated line ‘The only reason we never worked out was he didn’t work out enough’ operates on multiple planes. For one, it highlights the literal disconnect between the partners’ lifestyles. But on a deeper level, it speaks to the lack of emotional ‘work’ put into understanding each other, being present, and pursuing mutual growth beyond physical appearances.

The essential question MGMT presents is one of balance: how do we harmonize the physical, emotional, and technological facets of our lives? In a world where we craft online personas and vie for the validation of strangers, the song asks us to consider what we might be overlooking in our offline realities, especially in the relationships that define us.

Caught in the Swipe: Memorable Lines That Mirror Modern Love

‘Sick of liking your selfies / Should’ve gone with my gut’ is more than a throwaway lyric—it’s a resonant sentiment that captures the zeitgeist of dating in the digital age. The lines suggest a detachment between the persona curated for social media and the person who exists in the flesh. They also hint at a disillusionment with the superficial aspects of dating that are magnified by technology.

This memorable line thus stands out as a nugget of authenticity amidst the orchestrated routines of modern life. It reminds the listener of the genuine intuition often ignored in favor of maintaining the social facade.

‘The only reason we never worked out’: Embracing Imperfection in a Curated World

Perhaps the cleverest play on words comes with the recurring admission, ‘The only reason we never worked out was he didn’t work out enough.’ It’s witty and sharp, bringing humor to the otherwise somber realization at the heart of the song. Here we see MGMT nimbly flipping the script on societal expectations—an invitation to acknowledge that sometimes things ‘never work out,’ and that can be okay.

Through witty lyrics peppered with societal critique, ‘She Works Out Too Much’ transcends its catchy tune to deliver a thought-provoking message. In the track, MGMT navigates the nuances of modern affection, the pressures of physical perfection, and the truth that sometimes, the most challenging workout is striving to balance it all in a relationship doomed by appearance over essence.