Mirror by Lauren Spencer Smith - a lyrical ascription album

   

     Lauren Spencer Smith released her Mirror album in summer of 2023. This album goes through her relationship experiences. I found this album by listening to the song "Bigger Person". This song as the name implies that she was always the bigger person in the relationship to be able to keep it going. Most of these songs use lyrical ascription defined in Sellnow's reading "integrating examples and stories for popular culture to which members of a target audience will likely relate"(p. 180) to gain listeners. Lauren states on her Spotify account in her bio that she wrote these songs for other people to listen to about these experiences because she wished she had music like this when she was going through these relationships. Her intent is clear that these songs are for a target audience so they won't feel alone when going through these same experiences. 

    "Narcissist" is the first song from this album that I considered for lyrical ascription. This song speaks to being sucked into a relationship with a narcissist. The difficulty of staying or leaving the relationship speaks volumes to those who have also been in this same experience. 

[Verse 1]

They're always charismatic, and they'll turn up the charm

Their words do something magic saying no is really hard

They're over-generous, you'll never pay the bills

They'll fall in love in seconds, die for you or probably kill

[Pre-Chorus]

(Ooh-ooh) And after six months, you'll feel really stupid

(Ooh-ooh) I promise that it's not your fault you fell for it

[Chorus]

'Cause one little fight breaks into war

Feels like you're dying on a bathroom floor

You'll make an excuse, they'll say that it's you

And the mirror's telling you it's true

Won't leave, can't stay, how much are you gonna take?

'Cause you'll always get the blame

It feels like shit, but that's just how it is

When you love a narcissist

[Verse 2]

So if you're feeling crazy, I wouldn't be surprised

The only thing they're good at is knowing how to gaslight

Then make you feel like you're the most beautiful in the world

While they're sleeping with another girl

[Pre-Chorus]

(Ooh-ooh) And after six months, you'll feel really stupid

(Ooh-ooh) I promise that it's not your fault you fell for it

[Chorus]

'Cause one little fight breaks into war

Feels like you're dying on a bathroom floor

You'll make an excuse, they'll say that it's you

And the mirror's telling you it's true

Won't leave, can't stay, how much are you gonna take?

'Cause you'll always get the blame

It feels like shit, but that's just how it is (Ooh-ooh)

[Outro]

'Cause I felt like shit, so I know how it is

When you love a narcissist

  Other songs that use lyrical ascription on this album: "Aftermath", "Flowers", "Fingers Crossed", "Bigger Person", and "Best Friend Breakup". 

Which song from Lauren's Mirror album do you relate to the most and why? 

References

Lauren Spencer Smith – narcissist. Genius. (n.d.). https://genius.com/Lauren-spencer-smith-narcissist-lyrics

Spencer Smith, L. (2023) Mirror. Spotify. Retrieved from https://open.spotify.com/album/1nEJIdxjw5Y6LBlWLGJzzT