"Starring Role" is a song originally by MARINA that Melanie Martinez covered on her YouTube channel, at many events, during the Acoustic Tour, and during the Dollhouse Tour.
Background[]
After Melanie removed many of her videos from her YouTube channel, "Starring Role" remained up for a long time but was removed later, presumably around July 30th, 2015.[1] It can be seen on her channel on the Web Archive.[2] She performed this song live multiple times in 2013 and 2014.
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
You're hard to hug, tough to talk to
And I never fall asleep
When you're in my bed
All you give me is a heartbeat
I've turned into a statue
And it makes me feel depressed
'Cause the only time you open up
Is when we get undressed
[Pre-chorus 1]
You don't love me, big fucking deal
I'll never tell you how I feel
You don't love me, not a big deal
I'll never tell you how I feel
[Chorus]
It almost feels like a joke to play out a part
When you are not the starring role in someone else's heart
You know I'd rather walk alone than play a supporting role
If I can't get the starring role
[Verse 2]
Sometimes I ignore you so I feel in control
'Cause really, I adore you and I can't leave you alone
Fed up with the fantasies that cover what is wrong
Come on, baby, let's just get drunk, forget we don't get on
[Pre-chorus 2]
You're like my dad, you get on well
I send my best regards from Hell
[Chorus]
It almost feels like a joke to play out a part
When you are not the starring role in someone else's heart
You know I'd rather walk alone, than play a supporting role
If I can't get the starring role
[Bridge]
I never sang for love, I never had a heart to mend
Because before the start began, I always saw the end
Yeah, I wait for you to open up, to give yourself to me
But nothing's ever gonna give, I'll never set you free
Yeah, I'll never set you free
[Chorus]
It almost feels like a joke to play out a part
When you are not the starring role in someone else's heart
You know I'd rather walk alone than play a supporting role
If I can't get the starring role
The starring role
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- Melanie has commented that this song is a "good ass song", and that she wish that she wrote the song instead. [3]
- The pianist in the YouTube upload was one of Melanie's producers, Doveman.
- There were many different instrumentals used in the live performances. Some performances were with a piano, one was with a glockenspiel during her Gramercy Show, and during the Cry Baby Tour, a more Cry Baby-style instrumental was used.
- It is unknown if this cover has a studio version or not.
- This is one of her most performed covers to date.