It Roars

In the song 'It Roars' from the Broadway musical 'Mean Girls,' we follow the protagonist, Cady Heron, as she transitions from a life in the African savanna to the bustling world of American high school. Cady, who has spent her formative years surrounded by wildlife and her parents, feels a deep sense of isolation. Despite the beauty and adventure of her surroundings, she yearns for human connection and the typical experiences of a teenager. This longing is poignantly expressed in her lyrics, where she confides that even the lions, her closest companions, don't understand her dreams and aspirations.

The song captures Cady's mixed emotions as she faces the prospect of moving to the United States. While she is excited about the new opportunities and experiences that await her, she is also apprehensive about fitting in and making friends. The lyrics 'Did you ever get a feeling / Everybody else is happy / Everybody else has friends' reflect a universal teenage anxiety about belonging and acceptance. Cady's determination to embrace this new chapter in her life is evident as she lists the things she looks forward to trying, from high school to skateboarding and even rapping.

As Cady steps into the unfamiliar territory of North Shore High, she is met with the typical challenges of teenage social dynamics. The metaphor of 'breaking into a pack like baboons' highlights the primal nature of high school cliques and the struggle for acceptance. Despite initial rejections and the harsh reality of teenage interactions, Cady remains hopeful and resilient. The recurring motif of the 'roar' symbolizes her inner strength and the powerful drive to find her place in this new world. The song ends on a note of determination, with Cady ready to face whatever comes her way, embodying the spirit of adventure and the courage to start anew.