Inspiration Behind Lonely Girl:
Vocalist Jenna McDougall wrote Lonely Girl as she tried to recover from a broken relationship. This deeply personal journey served as a form of healing as Jenna tried speaking to a friend who was miserable. This encounter is expressed in the lyrics as her friend cried out for attention, complained about every problem, and refused to help herself or others. Lonely Girl suggests that her former friend’s situation was a choice and was preventable.
Biblical Application:
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5-6.
Exegesis of Lonely Girl:
Lonely girl, you lost the only thing you loved
Nothing that you have is ever good enough
And I won’t be the one to keep you sane
And I won’t be the one who stays the same
This girl in question lost her perspective and appreciation for the little things in life. Jenna tired to help her wayward friend until she became unteachable.
You’ve got a lot of nerve and
Looks like the table’s turning
And now you’re wishing me well like you miss me
You’ve got a dirty tongue and
Looks like the damage done is
Forever and it’s a long time to miss me
Whoa-oh, no, it’s a long time to miss me
Whoa-oh, no
This former friend never thanked Jenna for trying to help her. As Jenna moved on, this girl responded like a typical co-dependent. This girl had lost her sense of reality, turning bitter and nasty, oblivious to the harm she had done. This friendship took an emotional toll on Jenna until she finally had enough of this drama.
Lonely girl, it looks like you are out of luck
Tell me how it feels to watch your friends give up
I was on your side, I stood by you
So go ahead and cry, it’s just like you
This lonely girl wore out her welcome as one-by-one friends left. Jenna was initially on her side and stood up for her. Yet this facade was exposed through her tears to get attention.
You’ve got a lot of nerve and
Looks like the table’s turning
And now you’re wishing me well like you miss me
The table’s turning situation might refer to a recent trial in Jenna’s life where this lonely girl made a snarky comment.
You’ve got a dirty tongue and
Looks like the damage done is
Forever and it’s a long time to miss me
Whoa-oh, no, it’s a long time to miss me
Whoa-oh, no
This loneliness was self-inflicted. As Jenna is walking out the door, then she is missed.
And I don’t feel sorry for you
Sorry for you
‘Cause now the table is turning
And now the bridge is burning
It’s coming crashing down, crashing down over you
Over you
Over you
Over you
Jenna reached a point where she stopped caring, knowing she did all that she could as her former friend was too stubborn to change. This lonely girl scorned the ones who were trying to help.
You’ve got a lot of nerve and
Looks like the table’s turning
And now you’re wishing me well like you miss me
You’ve got a dirty tongue and
Looks like the damage done is
Forever and it’s a long time to miss me
Whoa-oh, no, and it’s a long time to miss me
Whoa-oh, no
This lonely girl was full of bitterness. The pain deep inside came out in her language, leaving a trail of damage. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a happy ending in this song.
Final Thoughts:
When I was in junior high and early on in high school, if I was in a bad mood, I didn’t want anyone around me to have fun. I would spew misery until everyone of my friends was either concerned, stopped speaking or left. What I didn’t realize at this time is that I needed Jesus, Matthew 11:28-30. Once I did become a Christian, Romans 10:9-11, I may not of had that many friends, I was transformed from a lonely boy into a man learning to be content with who I was.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 