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"Copy Cat" is a song by Melanie Martinez featuring Tierra Whack. It was released on February 10, 2020 as a stand-alone single. It was originally intended to be featured on her fourth extended play (EP), After School EP, but was cut from the final track list.
Background[]
During the promotional release, Melanie shared the background of this song via Instagram post, quoting:
This song was written few years ago and from an empathetic perspective even while in a very hurt place. We're all told that imitation is flattery to ease the pain that ego feels when other people get credited for our ideas and our work. But being a human includes feeling a multitude of feelings and naturally this song came about when expressing those very raw emotions. I hope this song can not only bring comfort but also remind them to empathize with people who are just doing what society has conditioned them to believe will make them successful.
Melanie Martinez
On January 8, 2020, Melanie hosted a Q&A on her Instagram story regarding After School. Melanie was asked by a fan if there would be any features on the EP, to which she confirmed that one song would have a collaboration with a female artist. She also confirmed that there would be no old or unreleased music on the EP, meaning that the song would be a brand-new collaboration (shutting down rumors that "I Scream" with Snow Tha Product would be included on the EP).
In an interview, Melanie stated that she had handed in other tracks that were written for Tierra Whack. Tierra picked "Copy Cat".[citation needed]
Theme[]
The song critiques individuals in the music industry who lack originality and mimic others in pursuit of success, often with surprising effectiveness. It uses school exams and projects as a metaphor, highlighting how students frequently cheat and copy from their peers to achieve better grades.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1: Melanie Martinez]
Over my shoulder, eyes peeking in
Analyze my every move, what current state I'm in
'Cause you are colder than ice on my skin
Wanna get that A+, baby, so you take my shit
'Cause I am little, right? I won't call you out
Teacher's saying you'd get credit, why would you stop now?
You are so desperate, craving that spotlight
Shining on the ones who do this shit, 'cause it's their life
[Pre-chorus: Melanie Martinez]
But I know the people around you say
"Just do what it takes to make it all the way"
[Chorus: Melanie Martinez]
You're a copy cat
You take it, then you leave it, honey
Just like that, just like that
You're falling flat
You'll find someone like me to bring you up right back
Up right back
(Copy cat, copy cat)
[Verse 2: Melanie Martinez]
Obsessed with power
You want it for yourself
Feeding up misogyny
But still you call yourself a feminista
If that were really true
You wouldn't feel as if I were a current threat to you
[Pre-chorus: Melanie Martinez]
But I know the people around you say
"Just do what it takes to make it all the way"
[Chorus: Melanie Martinez]
You're a copy cat
You take it, then you leave it, honey
Just like that, just like that
You're falling flat
You'll find someone like me to bring you up right back
Up right back
(Copy cat, copy cat)
[Bridge: Melanie Martinez]
Find someone else to leech on, lady
My blood's for me, not for you, baby
College estate and all your savings
My blood's for me, so no more taking
[Verse 3: Tierra Whack]
Anything you can do, I can do better
In prison for stealing, gon' write you a letter
Courageous and clever, creative director
I raised the bar high, yes sir, I broke the record
I'm hot as peppers, my words written in leather
Scuffed up my boots, boy, I'll stomp you in Skechers
They wanna build like their first name is Hector
Back against wall, bitch, I am a projector
From the projects, don't check on my ex
Think you're the boss then I'll break broken necks
Wish you the best, won't show you my next move
So I guess you'll be upset
Don't cry, no baby, you'll find your own way
Think for yourself, it'll all be okay
Copyright lyrics, you can't steal my spirit
They live for my music, they're dying to hear it
Imitated, never duplicated
You wish you related, you wish you'd have made it
Imitated, never duplicated
You wish you related, you wish you'd have made it
[Chorus: Melanie Martinez]
You're a copy cat
You take it and you leave it, honey
Just like that, just like that
You're falling flat
You'll find someone like me to bring you up right back
Up right back
(Copy cat, copy cat)
[Verse 1: Melanie Martinez]
Over my shoulder, eyes peeking in
Analyze my every move, what current state I'm in
'Cause you are colder than ice on my skin
Wanna get that A+, baby, so you take my shit
'Cause I am little, right? I won't call you out
Teacher's saying you'd get credit, why would you stop now?
You are so desperate, craving that spotlight
Shining on the ones who do this shit, 'cause it's their life
[Pre-chorus: Melanie Martinez]
But I know the people around you say
"Just do what it takes to make it all the way"
[Chorus: Melanie Martinez]
You're a copy cat
You take it, then you leave it, honey
Just like that, just like that
You're falling flat
You'll find someone like me to bring you up right back
Up right back
(Copy cat, copy cat)
[Verse 2: Melanie Martinez]
Obsessed with power
You want it for yourself
Feeding up misogyny
But still you call yourself a feminista
If that were really true
You wouldn't feel as if I were a current threat to you
[Pre-chorus: Melanie Martinez]
But I know the people around you say
"Just do what it takes to make it all the way"
[Chorus: Melanie Martinez]
You're a copy cat
You take it, then you leave it, honey
Just like that, just like that
You're falling flat
You'll find someone like me to bring you up right back
Up right back
(Copy cat, copy cat)
[Bridge: Melanie Martinez]
Find someone else to leech on, lady
My blood's for me, not for you, baby
College estate and all your savings
My blood's for me, so no more taking
[Verse 3: Tierra Whack]
Anything you can do, I can do better
In prison for stealing, gon' write you a letter
Courageous and clever, creative director
I raised the bar high, yes sir, I broke the record
I'm hot as peppers, my words written in leather
Scuffed up my boots, boy, I'll stomp you in Skechers
They wanna build like their first name is Hector
Back against wall, bitch, I am a projector
From the projects, don't check on my ex
Think you're the boss then I'll break broken necks
Wish you the best, won't show you my next move
So I guess you'll be upset
Don't cry, no baby, you'll find your own way
Think for yourself, it'll all be okay
Copyright lyrics, you can't steal my spirit
They live for my music, they're dying to hear it
Imitated, never duplicated
You wish you related, you wish you'd have made it
Imitated, never duplicated
You wish you related, you wish you'd have made it
[Chorus: Melanie Martinez]
You're a copy cat
You take it and you leave it, honey
Just like that, just like that
You're falling flat
You'll find someone like me to bring you up right back
Up right back
(Copy cat, copy cat)
Official versions[]
Version | Released on | Release date | Producer(s) | Creation date | Length | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
▶ | Final | Single | February 10, 2020 | Michael Keenan | 2020 | 3:52 |
Instrumental | Unreleased | March 31, 2021 (leaked) | Michael Keenan | 2020 | 3:52 |
Live performances[]
"Copy Cat" was performed at:
- K-12 Tour (debut performance)
Trivia[]
- The single artwork was created by Swedish artist Josefin Jonsson, better known as pastelae.
- She also created the artwork for the K-12 snippets.
- The word "feminista" is Spanish and Portuguese for "feminist". This is likely a callback to Melanie's Dominican and Puerto-Rican roots.
- This song, "Field Trip", "MILK OF THE SIREN", and "FAERIE SOIRÉE" are the only known songs by Melanie to use bilingual language.
- "Field Trip", "Copy Cat" and "NYMPHOLOGY" are also the only released tracks to contain Melanie rapping.
- This song, "Field Trip", "MILK OF THE SIREN", and "FAERIE SOIRÉE" are the only known songs by Melanie to use bilingual language.
- This song is the first and currently only collaboration in Melanie's discography to be officially released.
- However, this is the third known collaboration in Melanie's discography, with the first being "Wicked Words" with Jared Dylan and the second being "I Scream" with Snow Tha Product.
- There are sounds hidden throughout the song that are only audible to cats.
- It also features cat noises, such as purring and meows.
- The audio video reached #4 on YouTube trending.
- Although the song contains profanity, it's not labeled as explicit on streaming services.
- This song, "Fire Drill", and "PIGGYBACK" are currently Melanie's only released songs to not be physically released.
- This song references the track "Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)" from the 1950 film "Annie Get Your Gun".
[]
v • e | |
---|---|
Featured tracks | Notebook • Test Me • Brain & Heart • Numbers • Glued • Field Trip • The Bakery |
Scrapped tracks | Absorb • Clockwork • Copy Cat (ft. Tierra Whack) • Erase Her • Fire Drill • Function • History • Lost & Found • Paper Cut • Spin The Bottle • Trophy • Under The Desk |
Related tracks | Chrysalis • Maze • The Tunnel |
Characters | Abuelita • Bunnies |
Producers | Blake Slatkin • Melanie Martinez (exec.) • Michael Keenan |
Extra | K-12 • CAN'T WAIT TILL I'M OUT OF K-12 • All Hallow's Eve • Merchandise |