Mean Girls

Leanna Crawford's song "Mean Girls" delves into the emotional scars left by bullying and the enduring impact of hurtful words. The lyrics poignantly capture the experience of being targeted by mean girls, who often forget their cruel remarks, while the victim is left to grapple with the lasting pain. Crawford's words, "Their whispers opened up the door to a world called insecure," highlight how bullying can lead to deep-seated insecurities and self-doubt.

The song also challenges the old adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Crawford counters this by emphasizing that words can indeed cause significant emotional damage, often more enduring than physical pain. The lyrics, "I smile and I pretend it doesn’t hurt, but the older that I get it just gets worse," reflect the ongoing struggle to cope with the emotional wounds inflicted by bullying. This struggle is compounded by the societal pressure to appear unaffected, even as the pain intensifies over time.

In a plea for healing and self-acceptance, Crawford turns to a higher power, asking for a reminder of her intrinsic worth. The lines, "Lord, find me and remind me that my worth is worth so much more than their words," underscore the need for external validation and support to overcome the negative impact of bullying. The song also touches on the loss of innocence, as the protagonist recalls a time when she was free from shame and self-doubt. The transformation from a carefree child to someone who changes clothes multiple times before leaving the house illustrates the profound effect that mean words can have on one's self-esteem and sense of identity.