Stupid With Love (feat. Angourie Rice & Cast of Mean Girls)
Jeff Richmond
Navigating the Labyrinth of Love and Logic
“Stupid With Love” from the musical Mean Girls, featuring Angourie Rice and the cast, is a delightful exploration of the protagonist's struggle to understand love despite her proficiency in mathematics. The song, composed by Jeff Richmond, captures the essence of a young girl's journey from childhood infatuation to adolescent confusion and finally to a budding understanding of romantic feelings.
The lyrics begin with a nostalgic reflection on a childhood crush on a Peace Corps volunteer, highlighting the protagonist's early, naive attempts at love. This initial experience, marked by unreciprocated feelings and emotional vulnerability, leads her to seek solace in the certainty of mathematics. Math, with its clear rules and logical structure, becomes a refuge from the unpredictable and often painful world of emotions. The protagonist's dedication to math is a metaphor for her desire for control and understanding in a world where love seems elusive and confusing.
As the song progresses, the protagonist encounters a new romantic interest, described with vivid imagery that contrasts sharply with her earlier experiences. This new boy, with his TV-like charm and physical allure, reignites her desire to understand love. The juxtaposition of her mathematical prowess with her romantic ineptitude creates a humorous yet poignant narrative. The term “calcu-lust” cleverly merges her love for math with her newfound attraction, symbolizing her attempt to apply logical reasoning to her emotional experiences. The song culminates in a moment of realization, where she acknowledges her previous misunderstandings and expresses a hopeful desire to finally grasp the concept of love.
“Stupid With Love” is a charming and relatable portrayal of the often bewildering journey of growing up and learning to navigate the complexities of love. It underscores the universal theme of seeking understanding and connection, blending humor with heartfelt emotion to create a memorable and endearing musical number.
