Melanie Martinez re-released “The Bakery” and its music video from her brand new EP ‘After School’ deluxe edition. The song was included in her 2019 album ‘K-12.’
Melanie shared the story behind “The Bakery” on her Instagram account along with backstories for all other songs on the album;
“The Bakery is a song about unenthusiastically working at a bakery in high school because I needed to make money to invest into my art and my music.”
The music video for the song shows Melanie Martinez herself getting turned into a cookie at a bakery.
Watch “The Bakery” Video by Melanie Martinez
“The Bakery” Lyrics Meaning and Song Review
Verse 1
The verse describes the processes involved in baking cakes and cookies and packing them out for dispatch. She also adds that she does not want to be working here, at least it’s not her preference. She just wants to earn some cash and move on to do better things such as her music career.
Verse 2
In the second verse, Melanie talks about her boss at the bakery. She calls her mother Mary, a biblical reference to the mother of Jesus Christ who was a virgin. However, Melanie says next that her boss is quite evil and shows no mercy at the slightest mistake. So, Melani might be hinting that her boss is actually evil with the face of a saint.
Purgatory is “a place or state of punishment wherein according to Roman Catholic doctrine the souls of those who die in God’s grace may make satisfaction for past sins and so become fit for heaven” as per Merriam Webster dictionary. It is not a pretty place.
Chorus
In the chorus of the song, Melanie Martinez further piles up on the reasons why she hates the bakery. There is overtime work involved which she is not a fan of. ‘Dough’ is slang for money.
Verse 3
In the third verse, Melanie adds that her boss was the bane of her existence at the bakery. For any mistake, the boss lady would blame the whole team, which is unfair.
Many of us could relate to Melanie’s experience of having to go through a sucky work experience just to make ends meet.
Let us hear what you think about the song in the comments below. Check out the complete lyrics and further meaning on Genius.
I really thought she was talking about being a p**n star-
I’m really dumb.
Don’t be hard on yourself. A good song is one that is open to many interpretations. The broader the range of interpretations, the better.
Thank you for the comment 🙂
Me too, especially with that video LOL
I thought it was about stripping.
Lol. I mean…she is dressed like a stripper…and dancing like one too. Then she talks/sings about this “is not her first pick, but she will do it”, and she is there basically to make some quick dough. That is pretty much how most strippers feel. 😀
I feel this song is about workers exploitation and a critique to capitalism
I’m sorry but this song gives off the opinion of her being a drug dealer, like even the lyrics “pies are flying through the roof” like pies are a kind of drug…
what the f**k are u even talking about girl…….
LMFAOAO
TF lol
are u drunk? that’s what I wanna know
uhmmm it’s not “After Hours” tho. it’s “After School”. 💞
After high school