"Teddy Bear" is a song by Melanie Martinez that is featured as the fifteenth track on the deluxe version of her debut album, Cry Baby. It is also featured as the second track on her third extended play (EP), Cry Baby's Extra Clutter EP.
Background[]
"Teddy Bear" was written and recorded during the same session as "Cooties" with Phoebe Ryan and Felix Snow in May 2014. At the time, Melanie shared posts on her social media about the session,[1][2] mentioning the trio made a Gameboy necklace together.[3]
On July 19, 2014, Melanie posted a tweet with emojis representing some songs intended to appear in the album, with "✨💕🐻" possibly representing this song.[4]
In September 2025, Phoebe shared details about the recording session via TikTok, saying they "had fun" co-writing both songs while describing Melanie as a "strong woman" and "a truly professional artist".[5][6]
Theme[]
This song tells the story of a girl who makes her own teddy bear and is overjoyed once it comes to life. The toy soon begins acting strangely, causing the girl to question whether she can still trust it. The situation escalates once the bear's behavior grows more disturbing, namely hiding knives under her bed, destroying photos, and issuing threats. Even after she tries to get rid of the bear, it comes back to kill her, leaving her terrified as she realizes the danger she's in.
Regarding fan speculation about the lyrics potentially having a deeper meaning, possibly detailing abuse, Phoebe Ryan explained in a 2016 tweet: "it's literally about an evil teddy bear".[7]
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
Stitched you up, put you together
With cotton and feather
Gave you love, put my heart inside you
Oh what could I do
When you started talking in your sleep
Saying things you'd do to me
I didn't care
I wasn't scared
Now I'm finding knives under the sheets
Crumpled photographs of me
I'm in despair
Should I be scared?
[Chorus]
Teddy bear, you were my teddy bear
You were comforting and quiet
How did love become so violent?
Oh, teddy bear, you were my teddy bear
Everything was so sweet until you tried to kill me
[Verse 2]
I threw you out, I didn't outgrow you
I just didn't know you
But now you're back
And it's so terrifying how you paralyze me
Now you showing up inside my home
Breathing deep into the phone
I'm so unprepared
I'm fucking scared
[Chorus]
Teddy bear, you were my teddy bear
You were comforting and quiet
How did love become so violent?
Teddy bear, you were my teddy bear
Everything was so sweet until you tried to kill me
[Bridge]
(Melanie sample)
I'm fucking scared
[Chorus]
Teddy bear, you are my teddy bear
You were comforting and quiet
How did love become so violent?
Teddy bear, you were my teddy bear
Everything was so sweet until you tried to kill me
[Verse 1]
Stitched you up, put you together
With cotton and feather
Gave you love, put my heart inside you
Oh what could I do
When you started talking in your sleep
Saying things you'd do to me
I didn't care
I wasn't scared
Now I'm finding knives under the sheets
Crumpled photographs of me
I'm in despair
Should I be scared?
[Chorus]
Teddy bear, you were my teddy bear
You were comforting and quiet
How did love become so violent?
Oh, teddy bear, you were my teddy bear
Everything was so sweet until you tried to kill me
[Verse 2]
I threw you out, I didn't outgrow you
I just didn't know you
But now you're back
And it's so terrifying how you paralyze me
Now you showing up inside my home
Breathing deep into the phone
I'm so unprepared
I'm fucking scared
[Chorus]
Teddy bear, you were my teddy bear
You were comforting and quiet
How did love become so violent?
Teddy bear, you were my teddy bear
Everything was so sweet until you tried to kill me
[Bridge]
(Melanie sample)
I'm fucking scared
[Chorus]
Teddy bear, you are my teddy bear
You were comforting and quiet
How did love become so violent?
Teddy bear, you were my teddy bear
Everything was so sweet until you tried to kill me
Official versions[]
| Version | Released on | Release date | Producer(s) | Creation date | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ | Final | Cry Baby (Deluxe Edition) • Cry Baby's Extra Clutter EP | August 14, 2015 | Felix Snow | ~May, 2014 | 4:05 |
| ▶ | Clean version | Cry Baby (Deluxe Edition) | August 14, 2015 | Felix Snow | ~May, 2014 | 4:05 |
| Instrumental | Unreleased | July 31, 2020 (leaked) | Felix Snow | 2014-2015 | 4:05 | |
| Demos | ||||||
| "Teddy Bear.mp3" (demo) | Unreleased | May 11, 2021 (leaked) | Felix Snow | May 6, 2014 | 4:05 | |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Despite being on the deluxe version of Cry Baby, this song is not officially part of Cry Baby's story, along with the songs "Cake" and "Play Date".
- In the clean version of this song, it only blocks out the line, "I'm fucking scared" once. When it repeats, you can clearly hear Melanie singing it.
- This song was certified gold by the RIAA on November 24, 2021, making it the last song to be certified from the album.
- In the song's breakdown, it is possible to hear Melanie sing the lyrics, "Threw you out, I didn't outgrow you", six times reversed.
- This is one of four known songs by Melanie that includes a back-masked message in it, the others being "You Love I", "Eraser" and "Puzzles".
- Melanie collaborated with the makeup company Lime Crime to make a liquid lipstick called Teddy Bear, which was named after the song.
- This is the second longest song on the deluxe version of Cry Baby, the longest being "Alphabet Boy".
- It is the longest track on her third extended play, Cry Baby's Extra Clutter.
- This song surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify on February 8, 2024.
- This is Melanie's 23rd song to achieve this on Spotify and the final song from Cry Baby to do so.
- This is Melanie's least streamed song from deluxe version on Cry Baby. On the standard version, "Milk and Cookies" is the least streamed.
References[]
[]
v • e  | |
|---|---|
| Featured Tracks | Play Date • Teddy Bear • Cake • Gingerbread Man |
| Characters | Cry Baby • Rushton Dolls |
| Producers | Michael Keenan • Jennifer Decilveo • CJ Baran • Felix Snow • Arthur McArthur |
| Related | Cry Baby • Merchandise • The Trilogy Tour |