"Wheels on the Bus", also registered as "The Wheels on the Bus", [note 1] is the first track by Melanie Martinez that is featured on her sophomore album, K-12. The music video, originally available as part of the film, was later separately released on October 10, 2019.
Background[]
On August 1, 2019, a snippet of this track was released exclusively in Chicago, Illinois, as an assignment before being officially released worldwide.
Theme[]
The song takes place on the bus ride to K-12 Sleepaway School. Cry Baby observes the students around her participating in inappropriate behaviors, such as having sex, smoking marijuana in the school bus, and bullying/harassment. She attempts to ignore it and is disgusted with the nature of her classmates. She acknowledges that the bus driver knows what is happening but is choosing not to address it.
The bus driver is likely a metaphor for the authorities, who see all the wrong things that are happening in the world but do nothing to stop it.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
I'm just looking out the window and it's cold outside
There are two boys yelling behind me and I'm terrified
Counting trees as they pass me by
And I'm trying not to look across the aisle
'Cause Maya's letting Dan put his hand up her skirt
And she's got her hand down his pants
[Pre-chorus]
I know the driver sees it
I know he's peeking in the rearview mirror
He says nothing
Trying to ignore it, it's fucking boring
I'm quietly observing, I'm saying nothing
[Chorus]
No one's watching us, don't give a fuck
Wheels on the bus
I'm holding it down up in the front
Wheels on the bus
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Wheels on the bus
[Verse 2]
Now, I'ma light it up and pass it
Puff, puff and pass it
Don't be a dick and babysit, come on, just pass it over here
Counting cars as they pass me by
And I'm trying not to look a row behind me
'Cause Jason's got his ass on the glass
And I hate him, driver hit a bump fast
[Pre-chorus]
I know the driver sees it
I know he's peeking in the rearview mirror
He says nothing
Trying to ignore it, it's fucking boring
I'm quietly observing, I'm saying nothing
[Chorus]
No one's watching us, don't give a fuck
Wheels on the bus
I'm holding it down up in the front
Wheels on the bus
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Wheels on the bus
[Bridge]
Ooh, ooh, oh, ooh
Wheels on the, on the bus (Bus)
Ooh, ha, ooh, oh, ooh, ooh (Bu-bus, bus, bu-bus)
Wheels on the bus
[Chorus]
No one's watching us, don't give a fuck
Wheels on the bus
I'm holding it down up in the front
Wheels on the bus
Ooh (Wheels on the bus)
Ooh (Wheels on the bus)
Ooh
Wheels on the bus
[Verse 1]
I'm just looking out the window and it's cold outside
There are two boys yelling behind me and I'm terrified
Counting trees as they pass me by
And I'm trying not to look across the aisle
'Cause Maya's letting Dan put his hand up her skirt
And she's got her hand down his pants
[Pre-chorus]
I know the driver sees it
I know he's peeking in the rearview mirror
He says nothing
Trying to ignore it, it's fucking boring
I'm quietly observing, I'm saying nothing
[Chorus]
No one's watching us, don't give a fuck
Wheels on the bus
I'm holding it down up in the front
Wheels on the bus
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Wheels on the bus
[Verse 2]
Now, I'ma light it up and pass it
Puff, puff and pass it
Don't be a dick and babysit, come on, just pass it over here
Counting cars as they pass me by
And I'm trying not to look a row behind me
'Cause Jason's got his ass on the glass
And I hate him, driver hit a bump fast
[Pre-chorus]
I know the driver sees it
I know he's peeking in the rearview mirror
He says nothing
Trying to ignore it, it's fucking boring
I'm quietly observing, I'm saying nothing
[Chorus]
No one's watching us, don't give a fuck
Wheels on the bus
I'm holding it down up in the front
Wheels on the bus
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Wheels on the bus
[Bridge]
Ooh, ooh, oh, ooh
Wheels on the, on the bus (Bus)
Ooh, ha, ooh, oh, ooh, ooh (Bu-bus, bus, bu-bus)
Wheels on the bus
[Chorus]
No one's watching us, don't give a fuck
Wheels on the bus
I'm holding it down up in the front
Wheels on the bus
Ooh (Wheels on the bus)
Ooh (Wheels on the bus)
Ooh
Wheels on the bus
Official versions[]
| Version | Released on | Release date | Producer(s) | Creation date | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final | K-12 | September 6, 2019 | Michael Keenan | 2016 | 3:40 | |
| Clean version | K-12 | September 6, 2019 | Michael Keenan | 2016 | 3:40 | |
| Instrumental | Unreleased | April 8, 2020 (leaked) | Michael Keenan | 2016 | 3:40 |
Gallery[]
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To view the gallery of Wheels on the Bus, click here.
|
Music video[]
The music video begins with other characters, namely Kelly and Blue Boy who are making fun of Cry Baby while Angelita comforts her. Throughout the song, Cry Baby is shown looking around the bus to see what the other kids are doing. Some are engaging in sexual activities, such as Maya and Dan, while other students are simply misbehaving, such as Jason and Celeste. Cry Baby notices that the bus driver is engaging in distracted driving, frequently paying more attention to the students than the road, so she messes around with him by using her powers. Brandon, Kelly's boyfriend, boards the bus and Cry Baby is immediately infatuated with him. Kelly notices her attempt at getting his attention and cries out, causing Brandon to push Cry Baby aside to sit with Kelly.
Cast[]
- Cry Baby: Melanie Martinez
- Angelita: Emma Harvey
- Brandon: Vilmos Heim
- Kelly: Maggie Budzyna
- Maya: Oyunbat Batsaikhan
- Daniel: Deniel Kazarján
- Bus Driver: Robert Szabolcs
- Blue Boy 1: Adrian Jurics
- Blue Boy 2: Gergely Kiss
- Celeste: Megan Gage
- Chloe: Rebeka Péter
- Holly: Laurka Lanczki
- Fleur: Zion Moreno
- Lucy: Natalia Toth
- Rachel: Ágota Dunai
- Glue Boy: Tamas Gog
- Jason: Bence Balogh
- Magnolia: Zinnett Hendrix
Errors[]
- As the video begins, the view cuts to the bus driving away. At this point, a cameraman can be seen in a window.
- When Brandon boards the bus, Cry Baby stands up and sings to him. After Kelly catches them and gets angry, Cry Baby is shown sitting on the seat in front of Angelita. When Brandon hears Kelly scream, he pushes Cry Baby, who is standing in front of him again, out of the way and into the previously mentioned seat.
- Whenever seeing doing the choreography, Fleur is seemed to be delayed at the first clip of doing it.
Trivia[]
- Each song on K-12 represents a different grade level in school, from Kindergarten through twelfth grade.
- "Wheels on the Bus" represents kindergarten.
- The line where Cry Baby says, "This is K-12," is removed in the individual music video.
- Children talking, an engine starting, a bus driving off, a bus stopping, windshield wipers, and a honking car horn can be heard throughout the song.
- The music video was filmed on November 2, 2018.
- The song samples “The Wheels On The Bus” composed by Verna Hills.
- On April 29, 2024, "Wheels on the Bus" surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify
Notes[]
- ↑ This track is labeled as "Wheels on the Bus" on streaming services, while it's labelled as "Wheels On the Bus" on YouTube. There is a similar occurrence with "Dead To Me"
