Main Character Energy, Julian Mulhall

Main Character Energy

Julian Mulhall

Lyrics

Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy I have a secret I have a reason Can’t see my deep cuts cause their Dressed up in seasons I have potential They seem to think so I’m in control, The star of my show You won’t see me low, Check my TikTok, I’m on lock Up at one o’clock And I tell myself To romanticize this life so I won’t die

Cause I got, Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy I own the sunset I have a diet My world my filters Yeah, I decide it I am the colour I am the summer Look through my window, I’m not just another, Dot in the sea

Check my TikTok, I’m on lock Up at one o’clock And I tell myself To romanticize this life so I won’t die

No, I got Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy (Piano Solo) Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy Main Character Energy

My keyword was “main character energy” – a phrase that has recently gained much popularity on social media. Its meaning refers to the individual writing their own story and being life’s protagonist. A quick google search will get you this simple description:

“For most young people, main character energy is about becoming their best selves. It's about things like building confidence, being more assertive and appreciative, and following through on good things they might not have done before.” – (Kane, 2022)

Social media is an especially powerful tool here, as it allows the user to curate their image and control their own story and narrative as it is perceived by their peers and the public. However, my song explores this idea of “main character energy” as it relates to the health of adolescence. Social media can be a motivating instrument for youth, given that it can build confidence and connect them with their peers and the broader world. And yet, its intentionally addictive design can also lead youth toward an over-reliance on it to satisfy their sense of selfworth. Posting life experiences, whether rehearsed, staged, or candid, is constantly being situated within the community in which an unsaid competition for likes and attention fuels the yearning for a more romantic and impressive life. With this song, I argue that falling into this trap can encourage narcissistic behaviour in which one may develop the habit of always seeing themselves as the world’s protagonist. In this state of mind, other people and their experiences only exist to support you on your quest. I believe this behaviour is heavily linked to the drive people develop to make their life appear as colourful as possible for both themselves and others, to avoid the shadows of depression, anxiety, and life’s mundaneness that hang over them. During the verses, I tried to capture the swagger and confidence one feels when they are winning at the game of social media. “I have a secret, I have a reason, can’t see my deep cuts cause their, dressed up in seasons” – refers to the feeling that individuals hold as they go through life - that their life experience holds secrets and a reason that sets them apart from other people, thus giving their story meaning. Contrary feelings of vulnerability and meaninglessness are “dressed up in seasons”, which refers to the TikTok trend of “O.O.T.D” – “outfit of the day”. During the chorus, the music darkens as I attempted to unmask what may often be going on behind the constructed TikTok identity. “Check my Tik-Tok, I’m on lock” refers to the need

for people to take notice of our protagonist appearing to be “on lock” –a slang term for achieving perfection. With the lyric, “It is one o'clock, and I tell myself, to romanticize this life so I won’t die” I wanted to capture the severity of this issue. The word “die” can be interpreted as the death of the identity that our protagonist has created for social media consumption. Or it can be interpreted literally. As adolescent suicide rates have reached the highest rates since 2000, growing research has tied the issue of depression among adolescence to the addiction to social media and the struggle to find meaning. Although this research remains somewhat inconclusive. As the song progressed from the 2nd verse, I aimed to make the music increasingly intense and severe, adding obnoxious effects to the vocals to reflect the overflow of digital filters adolescents consistently experience when telling their own stories and consuming the stories of others. My piano solo at the end attempts to reflect the more unfiltered part of our protagonist, who is trying to navigate this world and who is yearning for meaning and genuine connection. The acoustic piano seemed to reflect this well given the debate in the music community over acoustic instruments being less filtered and better suited to the expression of the soul (I don’t necessarily agree with this purist perception, but it fit well with the narrative of the song).

Reference List

Kane, Phillip. (2022, June 16). How to Leverage Main Character Energy to Attract and Retain Young

Workers: You must understand that Gens Y and Z are the stars in their own life stories. Inc.

https://www.inc.com/phillip-kane/draft-how-to-leverage-main-character-energy-to-attract-retain-

young-

workers.html#:~:text=For%20most%20young%20people%2C%20main,might%20not%20have%

20done%20before.

Chayka, Kyle. (2021, June 23). We All Have “Main-Character Energy” Now: On social media

post-pandemic, everyone is ready to become a protagonist. The New Yorker.

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/we-all-have-main-character-energy-

now

Frazee, Gretchen (2019, June 18). Suicide among teens and young adults reaches highest level since

2000. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/suicide-among-teens-and-young-adults-

reaches-highest-level-since-

2000#:~:text=The%20researchers%20found%20there%20were,12.5%20per%20100%2C000%20

in%202000

Wylde, Kaitlyn. (2021, July 6). Do You Have Main Character Energy Yet? Bustle. https://www.bustle.com/life/what-does-main-character-energy-on-tiktok-mean