Gracie Abrams is the daughter of J.J. Abrams, director of “Star Wars” and “Star Trek.” The term “nepo baby” refers to nepotism from parents in the media industry. It is often used in a negative connotation, but I don’t believe this is the case with Abrams. Abrams most recently opened for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour, signifying her recent success in the industry.
Her songs are considered bedroom pop, so on the first listen, many of her songs are softer and slower, but her emotional lyrics turn into songs that you’ll want to scream to. She is a queen of self-reflection and authenticity. She was in my top three artists last year and her song “Better” was my most played song during 2022, and with the release of her album “Good Riddance” in 2023, she will likely also be in my top three artists this year. What I love about art is that each person can interpret it differently. Here are six of my personal favorite lyrics by Gracie Abrams.
“21”
“If it doesn’t go away by the time I turn 30 / I made a mistake and I’ll tell you I’m sorry.”
This song is on her EP “minor” and is still one of her most popular songs. Abrams acknowledges how she is different from when she was younger, and she knows she will be different when she is older as well. This hindsight and growth will help her see if she made the right decisions. She comes off as humble and self-aware that she could be making the wrong choice and she will only know and be able to make amends when she is older.
“Camden”
“I never said it but I know that I / Can’t picture anything past 25.”
When first listening to Abram’s EP “This is What It Feels Like,” I was not expecting such an emotional song in the middle. The honesty of this first line is something that I, and many other people in their early 20’s, can relate to. There is so much uncertainty and possibilities that it can be difficult to picture the future at this age.
“Block Me Out”
“Wish I was heavier now, I’m floatin’ outside of my body.”
This line struck me as extremely powerful because in other songs, such as “Camden,” Abrams speaks about focusing on becoming thinner. In just one line, she is able to portray that losing weight will not solve her problems but in fact could make things worse by feeling disconnected from her body.
“The Bottom”
“Calling it love, but this isn’t falling / I’m going to drag you right down to the bottom.”
Abrams is known for her personal accountability and self-awareness that she sometimes is the one causing heartache. The creativity in comparing falling and being dragged to the bottom highlights how these feelings can appear similar, but they are not the same.
“Two People”
“Don’t know what to say, two people can change / Don’t think we’re above, might happen to us.”
This is the last deluxe track on her album “Good Riddance” and ends the album so well. Abrams uses simple lyrics to reflect the complexity of human relationships. It is the honest, unglamorous truth that sometimes relationship’s end, and it is no one’s fault–people just grow apart. This can bring calm and peace to an important relationship that is seemingly dissipating.
“Feels Like”
“I would do whatever you wanted / We don’t have to leave the apartment / Met you at the right time / This is what it feels like / Livin’ in a movie I’ve watched and / Funny ‘cause you couldn’t have called it.”
Since this song is the title of her second EP, Abrams likely considers it an important song. These lines paint a picture of the feeling of being so happy with a person that you have fun staying in, just the two of you. This can relate to a romantic or platonic relationship. The majority of her songs are on the sadder side, but this one is lighter and happier and adds range to what she writes about. When you don’t leave the apartment, it can be a fun song to dance to with your person.
Gracie Abrams uses her songwriting talents to capture her unique feelings that have resonated with many fans. I am excited to see what comes next for this rising singer.