Released: 2002
Avril Lavigne’s ‘Complicated’ is all about the frustrations of dealing with someone who feels the need to put on a facade. The song speaks to the pressures of trying to fit in and the desire for authenticity in relationships. It’s a call to keep it real and not act up just to impress others.
The song kicks off with Avril setting the scene: life is what it is, and there’s no need to stress. She’s telling someone to ‘chill out’ and stop ‘yelling,’ which means they’re overreacting or making a big deal out of nothing. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, where she wants them to just be themselves.
In the first verse, Avril talks about liking this person when they’re relaxed and genuine, like when they’re just driving around and talking. But she notices that they change around others, trying to be cool, which only makes them look foolish. This change is what frustrates her, and she questions why they complicate things by not being true to themselves.
The chorus is the heart of the song. Avril’s asking why this person has to make things ‘so complicated’ by acting like someone they’re not. She sees through the act and finds it frustrating. The line ‘you fall, and you crawl, and you break’ suggests that life is tough, but it’s about taking what you get and turning it into something honest. She wants a promise that they’ll stop faking it.
In the second verse, Avril describes how this person shows up unannounced, dressed up like they’re trying to be someone else. It’s almost laughable to her because she knows it’s all a pose. The repeated theme is that they’re trying too hard to be cool, and it’s not fooling anyone.
The bridge repeats the idea of chilling out and letting things be. Avril is emphasizing that if this person could just relax and be themselves, everything would be easier. It’s a reminder that trying to impress others by being someone you’re not is unnecessary and ultimately unfulfilling.
Overall, ‘Complicated’ is a pop-punk anthem that calls out the fake personas people adopt to fit in. It’s about staying true to oneself and not letting the pressure to conform make you act like a goofy jabroni. Avril’s message is clear: authenticity is fire, and there’s no need to cap or flex just to be accepted.
