Cop Car by Mitski Song Info
"Cop Car" is a complex exploration of the narrator's emotional state and their relationships, as well as their desire for escape and their sense of entrapment. The opening lines "I get mean when I'm nervous like a bad dog" suggest that the narrator struggles with anxiety and perhaps even anger, particularly in situations where they feel vulnerable. The desire to "jump into blue water" and the references to "riding horses" and "running fast" can be seen as symbols of escape and freedom, a yearning to leave behind the difficulties of everyday life. The lyrics "I've loved many boys, I've loved many girls" point to the narrator's non-heterosexual orientation, and the fact that they "pretended you were mine" suggests that perhaps the narrator is engaged in a relationship with someone who is not reciprocating their feelings. The line "I am cruel, I am gentle, I can make you laugh" may refer to the narrator's ability to switch between different personas as they attempt to navigate the complexities of relationships. The repeated refrain "I will never die" can be interpreted in a number of ways. It may refer to a sense of invincibility or even a fear of mortality, or it may suggest a deep-seated desire for continuity and permanence in a world that feels unstable and unreliable. The line "I've preemptively blocked all the exits" reinforces this sense of entrapment, as does the final line "So I will burn in this movie theater", which suggests that the narrator feels stuck in a repeating, looping narrative with no clear way out. Overall, "Cop Car" is a song that deals with themes of anxiety, relationships and the desire for escape. It presents a complex, multifaceted emotional landscape that is both haunting and deeply relatable.
