The Meaning Behind The Song: Buzzcut Season by Lorde
Lorde, whose real name is Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor, is a renowned New Zealand singer and songwriter. She became famous for her breakout hit Royals, which won her two Grammy awards in 2014. But Lorde’s talent is not limited to one song; she has released some of the finest music releases in the past few years. One of her most popular songs is Buzzcut Season, which appears on her debut album Pure Heroine, released in 2013. In this article, we will explore the meaning behind the song Buzzcut Season.
What Is Buzzcut Season?
Buzzcut Season is a song by Lorde that reflects the mundane, monotonous, and often violent nature of modern society. It is a commentary on the world’s current state; the song’s lyrics describe a society that is full of chaos and destruction. Buzzcut Season may refer to a time of year when people get their hair buzzed, but the song’s meaning goes beyond that.
What Is The Song About?
The song describes a world where people, especially the young, are desensitized to the violence and chaos that surrounds them. It talks about a society that cannot differentiate between reality and pre-determined media. As a result, the protagonist of the song, an unnamed young woman, finds herself taking part in the chaotic and violent events in this world.
Monotonous Life
The lyrics talk about the mundane, monotonous life of people that are living in this world. “I’m a princess cut from marble,” Lorde sings, describing the protagonist’s life as something made of marble. Cold, static, and eternal. The world has become so restrictive and oppressive that the only escape from reality is to zone out and retreat from the world, “…let’s go down to the tennis court and talk it up like yeah,” Lorde sings in verses that sound as if they are coming from a drug-infused dream.
Ambivalence
The song also highlights the ambivalence of the protagonist towards the world’s turmoil. The line, “I wonder when they’ll tire of fighting, and devise some new cliché,” talks about how the people do not seem to care about the violence and chaos around them.
The Young Protagonist
The song is about a young girl who is struggling to relate to the reality around her. “I live in a hologram with you,” Lorde sings, describing the protagonist’s detachment from the real world. She is looking for companionship, the kind that will make her feel alive. “I wanna be your Vacationspot for Mildew minds,” one of the verses reads. It’s as if the protagonist knows something is wrong, but she’s unable to change it. As a result, she’s living in a vacuum of boredom and indifference.
The Song’s Impact
Buzzcut Season was another hit from Lorde and was loved by critics and audiences alike. The song has received numerous accolades and has been covered by various artists in different ways.
An Artist’s Insight
Lorde is known for writing songs with deeper meanings and easily relatable messages, and Buzzcut Season is no exception. It’s a commentary on the monotony and violence of modern society. It reflects the dangers of living in a society where everything seems to be headed for destruction. She wrote Buzzcut Season to remind everyone that such a place is not where anyone would want to live, that life is more than just survival.
The Song Title
The song’s title, Buzzcut Season, may seem like it is referring to a time of year when people get their hair buzzed. However, it’s about the societal violence and chaos in our existence. The song talks about a society that is suffocating and is always close to imploding. The haircuts of the people are the least of their troubles.
Mediocre Society
Buzzcut Season is about society that has devolved into something mediocre and banal. The song speaks to the kind of world that hovers on the edge of destruction. The dangers are always there, present in everyone’s daily lives.
Desensitization of the Young
The song is also about the desensitization of the young, the fact that they have seen and experienced so much that nothing fazes them anymore. They’re desensitized to everything around them, even the violence that they perpetrate.
Concept of Reality
Buzzcut Season talks about how reality has become so difficult to discern that people cannot distinguish between real life and the scripted versions of it that they see on TV. The song is a commentary on how society has become so bland and unyielding. It speaks to the kind of world that is losing its capacity for artistic and creative expression.
Disenchantment
At the heart of Buzzcut Season is an underlying feeling of disenchantment. It’s a feeling that has pervaded the modern world because of its violence and the breakdown of its various systems. These are the things that have created a world where people do not have the luxury of living in a reality they can trust.
Pure Heroine
Buzzcut Season is taken from Lorde’s debut album, Pure Heroine, which she released in 2013. The album was a massive success, and it gave Lorde her biggest hits, including the song Royals.
Final Thoughts
Buzzcut Season is one of Lorde’s most poignant and thought-provoking songs. It’s a commentary on a world that is full of violence, chaos, and confusion. The song is about the desensitization of the young, the mundanity of modern-day life, and the destruction of our environment. In a time when the world is still grappling with many of these issues, Buzzcut Season remains as relevant today as it was when Lorde first released it.
FAQs about Buzzcut Season by Lorde
How did Buzzcut Season perform on the charts?
Buzzcut Season did not chart as a single. However, it was successful when it came to streaming and airplay and was a favorite among Lorde fans.
Did Lorde write Buzzcut Season?
Yes, Lorde is credited as the sole songwriter of Buzzcut Season.
What message is Lorde trying to portray through Buzzcut Season?
Lorde is trying to show how society is desensitised to everyday violence and how it is consuming the general public. She reminds us how mundane life can be at times and the sort of world we live in.
What inspired Lorde to write Buzzcut Season?
As stated by Lorde, Buzzcut Season emerged out of her observations of the mundanity of her life and society.
What does the phrase “Buzzcut Season” mean in the song?
In the song, the phrase “Buzzcut Season” implies the idea of a society that is weary and has been through a lot, and how they try to cope with the monotonous day-to-day experiences of violence and conflict.
What was the inspiration behind the album Pure Heroine?
Pure Heroine was inspired by Lorde’s observational and critical views of pop culture and the social mechanisms behind it.
What accolades has Buzzcut Season received?
Buzzcut Season has been acclaimed as one of the most essential tracks on Lorde’s album by various critics. It has also been covered by various artists, including Vega Choir.
What was the artistic process like for Buzzcut Season?
Buzzcut Season was an incredibly personal work for Lorde. She worked on the song from home, and the lyrics were written in a diary.
What sets Buzzcut Season apart from other Lorde songs?
What sets Buzzcut Season apart from other Lorde songs is its commentary on modern society and the mundanity of everyday life rather than focusing on specific issues.
What are some other songs by Lorde with similar messages to Buzzcut Season?
Green Light, Royals, and The Louvre, all deal with issues similar to those discussed in Buzzcut Season.
How long did it take Lorde to write Buzzcut Season?
Lorde took two months to write Buzzcut Season.
Did Buzzcut Season influence the rest of Lorde’s music?
Yes, Buzzcut Season was a significant influence on Lorde’s later work, as it gave her the confidence to write and produce songs that considered modern society and how it affects everyone around us.
