'Doll' is the third track from my debut EP, 'Bee Without Wings'. 'Doll' is particularly special to me as I originally wrote this song when I was 12/13 years old, and recorded a previous version when I was much younger. 'Doll' was inspired by a character in a TV programme who suffers with an eating disorder - I went for a waltz tempo with eery vocals and harmonies and it draws on piano pop and baroque pop. Re-arranging and recording this song was so exciting and rewarding, and it's great to be able to finally release the complete version. I hope you love it!
lyrics
Lyrics
Call her little miss perfect, don’t search down too deep
You wait till the heart monitor stops its beep
So suck it all in then, don’t want to breathe out
Any imperfections will cause too much doubt
And they say ‘No pain, no gain’
If pain is gain, then beauty is torture
So tear the meat from off the bones and leave the skeleton there to show
That you were more than just a doll: there was terror inside your delicate bones
A clump on her pillow and more in the bath
Extensions to hide this will always work out
Exterior beauty brings challenge each day
One pound on, one pound off; a problem to face
And they say ‘No pain, no gain’
If pain is gain, then beauty is torture
So tear the meat from off the bones and leave the skeleton there to show
That you were more than just a doll: there was terror inside your delicate bones
A ballerina on stage couldn’t bring that much grace
Her clear skin is perfect, not a blemish in place
But inside is failing – the damage is done
The doll’s legs are too weak now to stand straight upon
No you are not a star honey, cause even stars burn out
Let the stupid ones look pretty, cause your job is to drown
And they say ‘No pain, no gain’
If pain is gain, then beauty is torture
So tear the meat from off the bones and leave the skeleton there to show
That you were more than just a doll: there was terror inside your delicate bones
credits
from Bee Without Wings,
released September 23, 2022
Written and performed by Elin Grace
Sound engineering by Oscar Featherstone
Produced by Oscar Featherstone and Elin Grace
Mixed by Tchad Blake
Photography and graphic design by Sam Stevens
Elin Grace: lead vocals, backing vocals, piano, saxophone, ukulele
Kai Solomons: drums, percussion
Elin Grace is a 19 year old independent singer-songwriter from rural mid Wales, whose debut EP, ‘Bee Without Wings’, blends quirky piano ballads and jazz influenced indie-pop with deft vocal harmonies, and sweetly sophisticated melodic arrangements.
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