Dear Porcupines

Dear Porcupines
General information
Artist	Melanie Martinez
Recorded	June 30, 2013
Leaked	May 17, 2021
Genre	Jazz
Length	3:34 (see official versions)
Writer(s)	Melanie Martinez
Producer(s)	Doveman
Alternate producer(s)	THE ELEV3N Melanie Martinez Miles Nasta

"Dear Porcupines", alternatively titled as "Dear Porcupine" or "Porcupine", is a song by Melanie Martinez written for her 2013 EP, but the project was later scrapped.

An acoustic worktape of the song recorded and produced by Melanie on her laptop was uploaded by Melanie's manager, Ron Shapiro, to his SoundCloud account in 2013. The full 2013 EP final version leaked on May 17, 2021, along with the first demo produced by THE ELEV3N. The 2013 EP early mixes leaked on May 19, 2021. The second demo produced by THE ELEV3N leaked on November 19, 2021.

Theme

This song is about people bullying Melanie during school, but she has overcome their words since then. The bullies are metaphorically referred to as "porcupines". This song is also about getting revenge on the people who made fun of her by insulting them.

Lyrics

• Final
• Demo 2
• Demo 1
• Acoustic demo
• Worktape

[Verse 1]
Drown me in my daily cup of tea
Tell the porcupines to quit stabbing me
They make me fall but I will stand
'Cause all of them are jerks with their cups in their hands
Now they want a whisper, a whisper from me
'Cause all of them have watched me on their big screen TVs
But what about little ol', little ol' me?
The one who got bullied because of her teeth

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ah-ah-ah

[Verse 2]
Ladies, oh, ladies, why are you so mad?
Is it 'cause I'm classy and you're a trash bag?
Your teasing and laughing resonates through my heart
And now you're calling me 'cause you want a fresh start
Now look at you boys, you can't believe your eyes
You told me I was ugly and I took you by surprise
You should've been nicer 'cause look where I'm at
While you copy Mac Miller wearing snapback hats

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ah-ah-ah

[Bridge]
Why must you be so mean, talking shit about me?
All I wanted was a friend to laugh and cry
And spend all of eternity or even just a week
Ah-ah, even just a week
Ha, ha, ha, ah

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, ooh-ooh

[Verse 1]
Drown me in my daily cup of tea
Tell the porcupines to quit stabbing me
They make me fall but I will stand
'Cause all of them are jerks with their cups in their hands
Now they want a whisper, a whisper from me
'Cause all of them have watched me on their big screen TVs
But what about little ol', little ol' me?
The one who got bullied because of her teeth

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

[Verse 2]
Ladies, oh, ladies, why are you so mad?
Is it 'cause I'm classy and you're a trash bag?
Your teasing and laughing resonates through my heart
And now you're calling me 'cause you want a fresh start
Now look at you boys, you can't believe your eyes
You told me I was ugly and I took you by surprise
You should've been nicer 'cause look where I'm at
While you copy Mac Miller wearing snapback hats

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

[Bridge]
Why must you be so mean, talking shit about me?
All I wanted was a friend to laugh and cry
And spend all of eternity or even just a week
Ah-ah, even just a week
Ha, ha-ha-ah

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

[Outro]
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh

[Verse 1]
Drown me in my daily cup of tea
Tell the porcupines to quit stabbing me
They make me fall but I will stand
'Cause all of them are jerks with their cups in their hands
Now they want a whisper, a whisper from me
'Cause all of them have watched me on their big screen TVs
But what about little ol', little ol' me?
The one who got bullied because of her teeth

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

[Verse 2]
Ladies, oh, ladies, why are you so mad?
Is it 'cause I'm classy and you're a trash bag?
Your teasing and laughing resonates through my heart
And now you're calling me 'cause you want a fresh start
Now look at you boys, you can't believe your eyes
You told me I was ugly and I took you by surprise
You should've been nicer 'cause look where I'm at
While you copy Mac Miller wearing snapback hats

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

[Bridge]
Why must you be so mean, talking trash about me?
All I wanted was a friend to laugh and cry
And spend all of eternity or even just a week
Ah-ah
Ha, ha-ha-ah

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

[Snippet]
Ladies, oh, ladies, why are you so mad?
Is it 'cause I'm classy and you're a trash bag?
Your teasing and laughing resonates through my heart
And now you're calling me 'cause you want a fresh start
Now look at you boys, you can't believe your eyes
You told me I was ugly and I took you by surprise
You should've been nicer 'cause look where I'm at
While you copy Mac Miller wearing snapback hats

I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you lo-

[Verse 1]
Drown me in my daily cup of tea
Tell the porcupines to quit stabbing me
They make me fall but I will stand
'Cause all of them are jerks with their cups in their hands
Now they want a whisper, a whisper from me
'Cause all of them have watched me on their big screen TVs
But what about little ol', little ol' me?
The one who got bullied because of her teeth

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh

[Verse 2]
Ladies, oh, ladies, why are you so mad?
Is it 'cause I'm classy and you're a trash bag?
Your teasing and laughing resonates through my heart
And now you're calling me 'cause you want a fresh start
Now look at you boys, you can't believe your eyes
You told me I was ugly and I took you by surprise
You should've been nicer 'cause look where I'm at
While you copy Mac Miller wearing snapback hats

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh

[Bridge]
Why must you be so mean, talking trash about me?
All I wanted was a friend to laugh and cry
And spend all of eternity or even just a week

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh

• Final
• Demo 2
• Demo 1
• Acoustic demo
• Worktape

[Verse 1]
Drown me in my daily cup of tea
Tell the porcupines to quit stabbing me
They make me fall but I will stand
'Cause all of them are jerks with their cups in their hands
Now they want a whisper, a whisper from me
'Cause all of them have watched me on their big screen TVs
But what about little ol', little ol' me?
The one who got bullied because of her teeth

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ah-ah-ah

[Verse 2]
Ladies, oh, ladies, why are you so mad?
Is it 'cause I'm classy and you're a trash bag?
Your teasing and laughing resonates through my heart
And now you're calling me 'cause you want a fresh start
Now look at you boys, you can't believe your eyes
You told me I was ugly and I took you by surprise
You should've been nicer 'cause look where I'm at
While you copy Mac Miller wearing snapback hats

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door
Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ah-ah-ah

[Bridge]
Why must you be so mean, talking shit about me?
All I wanted was a friend to laugh and cry
And spend all of eternity or even just a week
Ah-ah, even just a week
Ha, ha, ha, ah

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, ooh-ooh

[Verse 1]
Drown me in my daily cup of tea
Tell the porcupines to quit stabbing me
They make me fall but I will stand
'Cause all of them are jerks with their cups in their hands
Now they want a whisper, a whisper from me
'Cause all of them have watched me on their big screen TVs
But what about little ol', little ol' me?
The one who got bullied because of her teeth

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

[Verse 2]
Ladies, oh, ladies, why are you so mad?
Is it 'cause I'm classy and you're a trash bag?
Your teasing and laughing resonates through my heart
And now you're calling me 'cause you want a fresh start
Now look at you boys, you can't believe your eyes
You told me I was ugly and I took you by surprise
You should've been nicer 'cause look where I'm at
While you copy Mac Miller wearing snapback hats

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

[Bridge]
Why must you be so mean, talking shit about me?
All I wanted was a friend to laugh and cry
And spend all of eternity or even just a week
Ah-ah, even just a week
Ha, ha-ha-ah

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

[Outro]
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh

[Verse 1]
Drown me in my daily cup of tea
Tell the porcupines to quit stabbing me
They make me fall but I will stand
'Cause all of them are jerks with their cups in their hands
Now they want a whisper, a whisper from me
'Cause all of them have watched me on their big screen TVs
But what about little ol', little ol' me?
The one who got bullied because of her teeth

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

[Verse 2]
Ladies, oh, ladies, why are you so mad?
Is it 'cause I'm classy and you're a trash bag?
Your teasing and laughing resonates through my heart
And now you're calling me 'cause you want a fresh start
Now look at you boys, you can't believe your eyes
You told me I was ugly and I took you by surprise
You should've been nicer 'cause look where I'm at
While you copy Mac Miller wearing snapback hats

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

[Bridge]
Why must you be so mean, talking trash about me?
All I wanted was a friend to laugh and cry
And spend all of eternity or even just a week
Ah-ah
Ha, ha-ha-ah

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh

[Snippet]
Ladies, oh, ladies, why are you so mad?
Is it 'cause I'm classy and you're a trash bag?
Your teasing and laughing resonates through my heart
And now you're calling me 'cause you want a fresh start
Now look at you boys, you can't believe your eyes
You told me I was ugly and I took you by surprise
You should've been nicer 'cause look where I'm at
While you copy Mac Miller wearing snapback hats

I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you lo-

[Verse 1]
Drown me in my daily cup of tea
Tell the porcupines to quit stabbing me
They make me fall but I will stand
'Cause all of them are jerks with their cups in their hands
Now they want a whisper, a whisper from me
'Cause all of them have watched me on their big screen TVs
But what about little ol', little ol' me?
The one who got bullied because of her teeth

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh

[Verse 2]
Ladies, oh, ladies, why are you so mad?
Is it 'cause I'm classy and you're a trash bag?
Your teasing and laughing resonates through my heart
And now you're calling me 'cause you want a fresh start
Now look at you boys, you can't believe your eyes
You told me I was ugly and I took you by surprise
You should've been nicer 'cause look where I'm at
While you copy Mac Miller wearing snapback hats

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh

[Bridge]
Why must you be so mean, talking trash about me?
All I wanted was a friend to laugh and cry
And spend all of eternity or even just a week

[Chorus]
I hope you all are watching my middle finger rise
To the bullies in the school yard, I know I'm on your mind
Now you say you love me but what about before?
When I was just that silly little girl next door, oh-oh
Ooh-ooh-ooh

Official versions

Version	Associated project	Leak date	Producer(s)	Creation date	Length
Unknown version	2013 EP	Unleaked	Unknown	2013	3:20
"Dear Porcupines.mp3" (worktape demo)	2013 EP	2013	Melanie Martinez	Early 2013	3:00
Acoustic demo	2013 EP	Unleaked	Miles Nasta	Early 2013	Unknown
"dear_porcupines_ruff.mp3" (demo 1)	2013 EP	May 17, 2021	THE ELEV3N	March 22, 2013	3:16
"DEAR PORCUPINES_Elev3n Rough.mp3" (demo 2)	2013 EP	November 19, 2021	THE ELEV3N	April 2, 2013	3:43
"Dear Porcupines 6 16 2013.mp3" (mix 1)	2013 EP	May 19, 2021	Doveman	June 16, 2013	3:34
"Dear Porcupines 6 30 2013.mp3" (mix 2)	2013 EP	May 19, 2021	Doveman	June 30, 2013	3:34
"Dear Porcupines 6 30 2013A.mp3" (mix 3)	2013 EP	May 19, 2021	Doveman	June 30, 2013	3:34
"Dear Porcupines 6 30 2013B.mp3" (final)	2013 EP	May 17, 2021	Doveman	June 30, 2013	3:34

Gallery

Melanie in the studio during the 2013 final recording

Videos

Melanie Martinez - Dear Porcupine (Snippet)

Melanie in the studio with Jacqueline Molina recording an acoustic demo.

Melanie Martinez - Dear Porcupine (Live Alternative Version)

THE ELEV3N live version

Dear Porcupines by Melanie Martinez live First Avenue 5-11-13

Melanie Martinez Doveman Dear Porcupines (2013-06-07)

Doveman live premiere recording

Melanie Martinez- Dear Porcupine (Original) LIVE

Melanie Martinez- Dear Porcupine (original)

Melanie Martinez - 10 17 2013 - Dear Porcupines (Live)

Melanie Martinez - Dear Porcupine (Original) Live

Dear Porcupines by Melanie Martinez live Acoustic Tour 12-11-13

Dear Porcupines by Melanie Martinez live Acoustic Tour 12-13-13

Melanie Martinez - Dear Porcupine Lyrics

audio from 12 20, 2013 at Stage AE.

Melanie Martinez "Dear Porcupines"

Melanie Martinez - 02 15 2014 - Dear Porcupines (Live)

Trivia

• In most live performances, Melanie does not sing the explicit version.
• This song is listed twice on BMI Repertoire, both under "Dear Porcupine" and "Dear Porcupines".
• There are alternate live versions, including an explicit performance.
• The first two minutes of this song were debuted on a StageIt show.
• Melanie references a famous late rapper, Mac Miller, in the song. She also wrote a message about his passing on her Instagram story on September 10, 2018.

References

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