Hello, Welcome to Seven Songs a Week
Keeping with the accidental theme of bad breakups and relationships, We have "Beetlejuice" by Mariah the Scientist. "Beetlejuice" has quickly become one of my favorite new school R&B songs because of how poetic the lyrics are and Mariah's seductively sweet voice. I also really like Mariah's name and the song's name, Mariah's name coming from the fact that she studied to be a biologist before dropping everything to move to Atlanta to make music and the song title referencing the 1988 film of the same name.
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| Single Cover for "Beetlejuice" |
Mariah sets the song up as an arguement between her and her ex after his help becomes toxic, much like Betelgeuse in the film. Mariah describes the relation as "bittersweet" and how it began professionally as they were each other's muse but her ex eventually broke her heart or "...[painted her] blue." Mariah possibly received a tattoo with her ex on Jamaica Avenue, which is a shopping district in New York and it may have been worth it because Mariah tells her ex that "You make me feel what no other man could do." "Lust and desire. You lure me to the flame" Mariah references two of the seven deadly and how her ex leads her to "[his] fire," referencing the devil and further concluding that her ex isn't a good person. Her ex proposes marriage to "...Miss Mariah..." "With [his] last name" saying "it might sound a little nicer." Mariah credits her ex's charisma or "game" but she then warns the ladies listening that "he always wanna play" alluding his cheating and an actual game. Mariah loves her ex but knows that he isn't a good partner as he can "...take [her] to [her] grave." Mariah then mentions her ex lying to her and his sacreligious apology of "even Jesus forgave" gaslighting Mariah, making her seem the bad guy and she does resulting in her and him making love. The two lovers listen to Frank Ocean's second album "Blonde," specifically "Godspeed." "Godspeed" is a song which where Ocean wishes his ex the best after a relationship, which Mariah finds ironic as she doesn't nor does she believe her ex does. "Then you'll take me to the peak of your mountain and then you'll tell me to drink from your fountain" refers to the fact that Mariah's ex only gets to his climax and doesn't wait for Mariah to reach it. Mariah begins to realize the wrongdoings and calling it "...silly..." and "...weak..." of how he "...[did her] wrong..." but she'll "...buy [his] excuses..." and her father gives her some advise to not play dumb and end the relationship before anything new happens because he can only imagine how she'll be with new news if she's still made at old stuff. Mariah remembers the time in Atlanta where she saw her ex with a new woman without her knowledge. Mariah felt like that she was on an "isolated planet" and "[she'd] rather die than be abandoned by [him]." Mariah loved her ex for who he was as he didn't have any money only "sugar" and "honey" but if her ex never loved her, she doesn't care because she remembers that everything he did to her.
The video for "Beetlejuice" features Mariah the Scientist cosplaying as Betelgeuse with her projector against the world. Her Jamaica Avenue tattoo is clearly visible in the video within the first 30 seconds of the video. The way the video is shot mirrors the way the Betelgeuse is shot in the original film. I particularly enjoy the shot of Mariah with the lyrics projected on to her because besides it being a striking image, The lyrics add up with the lyrics being sung at the moment.
I'm surprised on how much the song deals with religious themes as well and how little it deals with "Beetlejuice" even if it is the song's namesake. I really like how she only says "Beetlejuice" three times, referencing how someone needs to say his name three times to summon him. This song is so beautiful and so is Mariah's voice, its a shame that she doesn't really make music after being called out for her support of Tory Lanez after he shot Megan Thee Stallion that resulted in her deleting her Twitter account. All i can hope is for her to apologize and release another album.
I give "Beetlejuice" 4.7 cult classics out of 5
I hope you enjoyed my review. How do you feel about "Beetlejuice"? Leave a comment and a request for Saturday down below.
I listed my sources below in case you are interested in reading more.
Take Care,
Jonathan
