I read one Phoebe Bridgers’ fan complaining that today’s song, ‘Sidelines,’ is too upbeat. I had to laugh once I listened to it.
Perhaps that fan was referring to the lyrics, which do find Bridgers in a more optimistic place than she usually occupies. But musically, this sounds right in line with the rest of her sadly gorgeous (or gorgeously sad) discography.
‘Sidelines’ was written for the 2022 Hulu adaptation of Sally Rooney’s 2017 debut novel Conversations with Friends. The 12-episode miniseries was created by the same team that adapted Rooney’s Normal People. I loved the latter series, but this one was totally off my radar.
I’m not afraid of anything at all
Not dying in a fire, not being broke again
I’m not afraid of living on a fault line
‘Cause nothing ever shakes me, nothing makes me cry
Not a plane going down
In the ocean and drowning
[Chorus]
Watched the world from the sidelines
Had nothing to prove
‘Til you came into my life
Gave me something to lose
Now I know what it feels like
To wanna go outside
Like the shape of my outline
[Verse 2]
I’m not afraid of going back to school
I gave it up the first time, but I’ll try again
I’m not afraid of getting older
Used to fetishize myself, now I’m talking to my house plants
Not of being alone (Mmm)
In a room full of people
[Chorus]
Watching the world from the sidelines
Had nothing to prove
‘Til you came into my life
Gave me something to lose
Now I know what it feels like
To wanna go outside
Like the shape of my outline
[Outro]
And I used to think
You could hear the ocean in a seashell
What a childish thing
Meet Me In Montauk 