Released: 2016
Mitski’s ‘My Body’s Made of Crushed Little Stars’ is a raw, emotional exploration of feeling lost and overwhelmed. It’s about struggling with life’s expectations and wanting to escape. Mitski uses powerful imagery and metaphors to express these feelings. The song’s intense, desperate tone resonates with anyone who’s ever felt like they’re not enough.
The repeated lines ‘I’m not doing anything’ reflect a sense of paralysis. Mitski feels stuck, unable to move forward. Her body being ‘made of crushed little stars’ suggests a feeling of brokenness and fragility. It’s like she’s made of something beautiful, but it’s all fallen apart.
When she sings ‘I wanna see the whole world,’ it’s about her desire for more in life. However, she immediately follows it with ‘I don’t know how I’m gonna pay rent,’ showing the clash between dreams and harsh reality. This contrast highlights the struggle between ambition and practical concerns.
The plea ‘Would you kill me, Jerusalem?’ is intense and symbolic. Jerusalem could represent a place of judgment or salvation. It’s a cry for release from her pain, whether through literal death or a figurative end to her struggles. This line is repeated, emphasizing her desperation.
Mitski’s lines about the interview reveal her anxiety about succeeding in conventional ways. ‘I better ace that interview’ and ‘I should tell them that I’m not afraid to die’ show the pressure she feels to conform while feeling internally conflicted. She works ‘better under a deadline,’ suggesting she thrives under pressure but is also haunted by it.
Finally, Mitski talks about picking ‘an age when I’m gonna disappear,’ indicating a sense of giving herself a deadline to find success or give up. The repeated ‘Kill me, Jerusalem’ at the end reinforces her ongoing struggle and desire for escape. This song captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by life’s demands while yearning for something more.
