Peak
95
Weeks
2
Score
65
Chart Year
2023
The video begins with five masked dancers glancing into Cry Baby’s grave, where they place plants. Cry Baby is in the grave with an open wound on her heart. A version of Martinez with pink skin, multiple eyes, and fairy-like wings then appears from Cry Baby's heart and elevates to the surface. Throughout the video, the camera cuts to the dancers on an island with Cry Baby's grave, and this version of Martinez with blue hair singing or on a hoop performing tricks with dancers, still elevating. She then stabs Cry Baby's corpse with nine swords. Near the end, the elevating Martinez rips a cord connecting her alter-ego, Cry Baby, trying to escape the grave. As the dancers finish burying Cry Baby, Martinez pops out of the ground and the video ends
Melanie Martinez is a singer-songwriter who rose to fame after appearing on the third season of the competition show The Voice in 2012. She is known for her distinctive style and persona, characterized by pastel colors, childlike imagery, and a dark, often unsettling aesthetic. Her debut album, Cry Baby, released in 2015, is a concept album that tells the story of a character named Cry Baby, a fantasy version of Martinez when she was a very young child. She represents the messed-up and vulnerable aspects of Martinez' own personality. On her second album, K-12, Martinez brought us up to speed with her Cry Baby alter-ego. We see her dealing with all sorts of jerks and sketchy teachers in a candy-colored world. With "Death," Melanie Martinez bids farewell to her Cry Baby persona and formally declares that she is "back from the dead." The track sees the star embracing a rebirth and an electronic, synth-driven sound. "Death" is the lead single from Martinez' third album, Portals. And if you're into sci-fi and fantasy stuff, you know that portals are magical or technological doorways that can transport you to other dimensions, worlds, or times. Martinez says the album is all about how life and death are basically the same thing. "Death" really hammers that point home with its dramatic, five-minute art-pop sound. "Death" takes us on a journey into the afterlife, where the ghost of Crybaby has returned from the dead and is trying to reconnect with the living. But even though those left behind try to bring the spirit back, the barriers are too strong to overcome. Your words mean nothin', so take 'em back And meet me here across the plane The other side, I'm not far The spirit is not happy that everyone thinks she's dead. She's still around, trying to send signals like ghosts do, but every time she tries to reach out, people freak out and run away in fear. It's like, c'mon guys, she's just trying to communicate! The verses have a slow and sultry guitar-based sound that perfectly capture the spirit's struggle to connect with the living. But the chorus is where things really explode, as the drums go off and the catchy hook, "Back from the dead," reminds us that death is not the end. With its full-on rock vibes, it no longer sounds like we're at a funeral. Back from the dead, back from the dead I'm back from the dead, back from the dead The pre-chorus really tugs at your heartstrings, with the spirit longing to be close to the people they left behind and feeling the weight of death on their shoulders. When you aren't around, I sink into the ground I try to pretend I'm closer to you Never understand it You're always on my mind, I cannot help it The personification of death itself as a source of closure gives us hope that death is not something to be afraid of, but rather a necessary part of life. I don't wanna be carryin' the weight on my shoulders Death has come to me, kissed me on the cheek, gave me closure Immortal by design I'll be meetin' you here every time The bridge and the final chorus bring the song to a hopeful conclusion, reminding us that death is inevitable, but we shouldn't worry because it's all part of the plan. We'll all die one day, but the spirit has returned to remind us that death is not the end, and that we'll be reunited with our loved ones in the afterlife. Martinez wrote the song and produced it alongside CJ Baran, whose list of credits includes Pixie Lott's "Everybody Hurts Sometimes," Panic! At the Disco's "Victorious" and Carly Rae Jepsen's "Everything He Needs." He previously collaborated with Martinez on her Cry Baby tracks "Pity Party" and "Cake."
[Intro] Death is life is death is life is death is life is [Verse 1] They're carvin' my name in the grave again The flowers are fresh and their faces wet My body has died, but I'm still alive Look over your shoulder, I'm back from the dead Lightin' all your candles to draw me in Sayin' all the same things, I'm gone this time Your words mean nothin', so take 'em back And meet me here across the plane The other side, I'm not far [Pre-Chorus] When you aren't around, I sink into the ground I try to pretend I'm closer to you Never understand it You're always on my mind, I cannot help it I don't wanna be carryin' the weight on my shoulders Death has come to me, kissed me on the cheek, gave me closure Immortal by design I'll be meetin' you here every time [Chorus] Back from the dead, back from the dead I'm back from the dead, back from the dead I'm back from the dead, back from the dead I'm back from the dead, back from the dead I'm back from the dead (Death), back from the dead (Death) I'm back from the dead (Death), back from the dead (Death) I'm back from the dead (Death), back from the dead (Death) I'm back from the dead (Death), back from the (I'm back) [Post-Chorus] (I'm back) (I'm back) (Death, death, death) (I'm back) (Death, death) (I'm back) You might also like All Of The Girls You Loved Before Taylor Swift VOID Melanie Martinez EVIL Melanie Martinez [Verse 2] They're sayin' my name in their prayers again I flicker the lights so they understand I won't say goodbye, I'm right by your side We're screamin' and pleadin', this separation ends Doin' all your witchcraft to pull me in Burnin' all your sage to connect our line I show my presence, you run away in fear of ghosts I try to talk, the barriers are too strong [Pre-Chorus] When you aren't around, I sink into the ground I try to pretend I'm closer to you Never understand it You're always on my mind, I cannot help it I don't wanna be carryin' the weight on my shoulders Death has come to me, kissed me on the cheek, gave me closure Immortal by design I'll be meetin' you here every time [Chorus] Back from the dead, back from the dead I'm back from the dead, back from the dead I'm back from the dead, back from the dead I'm back from the dead, back from the dead I'm back from the dead (Death), back from the dead (Death) I'm back from the dead (Death), back from the dead I'm back from the dead (Death), back from the dead (Death) I'm back from the dead (Death), back from the dead [Bridge] Please don't ever worry (Back from the dead, back from the dead) (I'm back from the dead, back from the dead) I know it's morbid (I'm back from the dead, back from the dead) But we all die one day (I'm back from the dead, back from the dead) [Chorus] I'm back from the dead, back from the dead I'm back from the dead, back from the dead I'm back from the dead, back from the dead I'm back from the dead, back from the (I'm back)
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apr 1, 2023 | 95 | 31 |
| 3 | Apr 15, 2023 | 98 | 28 |