Barely Juice (Unreleased)

Melanie Martinez's unreleased song "Barely Juice" delves into the complex and often conflicting emotions surrounding the pursuit of success. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who has spent their entire life chasing achievements, only to find that the rewards are not as fulfilling as they had hoped. The metaphor of squeezing a berry until there's barely any juice left poignantly captures the idea of exhausting oneself in the relentless quest for success, leaving little to no satisfaction in the end.

The song also touches on the moral and ethical compromises that often accompany the pursuit of wealth and status. The line "every single shiny penny that you gained was theft" suggests that the protagonist's success came at the expense of others, raising questions about the true cost of their achievements. The imagery of building a castle at everyone's expense further emphasizes the idea that personal gain can often lead to collective loss, highlighting the social and ethical implications of unchecked ambition.

In the chorus, Martinez shifts the perspective to a more personal and defensive stance. The repeated lines "How dare you judge my character like that? I worked my ass off for everything I have" reveal a deep-seated need for validation and recognition. The protagonist defends their hard work and the better life they have built for their family, suggesting that their intentions were noble, even if the means were questionable. This duality captures the internal conflict many people face when balancing personal ambition with ethical considerations, making the song a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition.