Belly (The Grass Stains)

Rex Orange County's 'Belly (The Grass Stains)' is a poignant exploration of lost love and the disillusionment that often accompanies youth. The song opens with a vivid image of grass stains on blue jeans, symbolizing the wear and tear of life and relationships. These jeans, once new and pristine, now bear the marks of experiences and heartbreaks, much like the narrator's own heart. The mention of summer's end and the departure of a loved one underscores a sense of loss and loneliness, with the narrator feeling 'fucked' by the emotional turmoil.

The lyrics delve deeper into the complexities of relationships and personal struggles. The pizza box and wedding ring imagery evoke memories of a past relationship that has deteriorated, much like the rusting ring. The reference to the Mona Lisa not being real suggests a disillusionment with idealized love and the realization that things are not always as perfect as they seem. The recurring question of whether the narrator's 'baby' was ever truly theirs highlights the uncertainty and self-doubt that often accompany breakups.

As the song progresses, it paints a picture of a young woman grappling with her own issues, such as a strained relationship with her father and a tendency to seek solace in drugs and superficial pleasures. The mention of rich youth, swimming pools, and a lack of meaningful education critiques the hollow pursuit of materialism and societal expectations. Despite the outward appearance of having it all, the song suggests that true happiness and self-understanding remain elusive. The final lines, 'But at least you’re all alone,' poignantly capture the isolation and emptiness that can accompany a life focused on external validation rather than genuine self-discovery and connection.