Call Me Cruella

Florence + The Machine's song "Call Me Cruella" delves into the psyche of one of Disney's most iconic villains, Cruella de Vil. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a character who revels in her own malevolence and rejects societal norms of goodness and conformity. From the very beginning, the song establishes Cruella as someone who is 'born to be bad,' and the thrill she derives from the fear she instills in others is palpable. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of her character, one that is unapologetically wicked and delightfully rebellious.

The song challenges the listener to question the value of being 'nice' and 'tame,' suggesting that such qualities are mundane and unremarkable. Instead, Cruella embraces her identity as an 'original, criminal, dressed to kill,' reveling in her uniqueness and the power it brings. The lyrics 'Call me crazy, call me insane, but you're stuck in the past and I'm ahead of the game' highlight her disdain for conventional morality and her belief that she is ahead of her time. This is a powerful statement about individuality and the rejection of societal expectations.

The latter part of the song delves into themes of liberation and self-acceptance. Cruella finds freedom in embracing her darker impulses, as evidenced by lines like 'I tried to be sweet, I tried to be kind, but I feel much better now that I'm out of my mind.' The imagery of 'ripping it up' and 'leaving it all in tatters' symbolizes a complete break from the past and a rebirth into a new, unapologetic self. The song ultimately suggests that true beauty and power come from embracing one's true nature, no matter how dark it may be.