Carousel

Melanie Martinez's song "Carousel" paints a vivid picture of the dizzying and often futile pursuit of unrequited love through the metaphor of a carnival ride. The lyrics describe the experience of being stuck on a carousel, going round and round, trying to catch up to love that always seems just out of reach. The repetition of the ride symbolizes the repetitive nature of the protagonist's efforts and the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of longing.

The carnival setting provides a backdrop of illusion and fleeting excitement, which parallels the ephemeral nature of the love interest. Phrases like "You must be this tall to ride this ride at the carnival" and "Mr. Houdini, you're a freakshow" suggest that there are arbitrary rules and tricks at play in the game of love, making it a confusing and sometimes deceptive experience. The reference to Houdini, a famous magician known for his escape acts, underscores the elusive nature of the love interest, who disappears just when the protagonist feels closest to them.

The song also touches on the theme of innocence lost, as seen in the line "Why did you steal my cotton candy heart?" This line evokes the image of a child's innocence being taken away, much like the protagonist's heart is stolen and then trapped, symbolized by the coin slot of the carousel. The song ends without resolution, leaving the listener with the sense that the protagonist remains stuck on this carousel of unrequited love, unable to break free from the cycle.