by SMF· Published March 31, 2023· Updated March 31, 2023

A “contortionist” is a type of circus performer, if you will, who is able to twist their body in ways that most of us wouldn’t dare. And whereas, to some extent, the pre-chorus of the song can be taken as if Melanie is likening herself to such an individual in a sexual context, more to the point is the title alluding to the Martinez, in her own words, “being over backwards for someone who doesn’t accept you as you are”.

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“Bending over backwards” is a metaphor pointing to when you go out of your way or go the extra mile to please someone. In this case, the person behaving in such a manner would be the vocalist, and whom she is dedicated to in that regard is the addressee. 

And actually, the lyrics don’t read as if she’s so compliant by choice. Instead, it’s as if this person she loves is treating her in such a way that she is sacrificing her self-esteem and mental health to appease them.

Or more accurately, Melanie has been doing so up until now, as the thesis sentiment revolves around the vocalist having grown tired of subjecting herself to such abuse. And she even proceeds to mock the addressee in that regard, that now this person will not be able to use her as they had before. 

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So maybe the moral of the story is that said individual should have realized the torment he or she was putting the narrator through before the situation reached where it is now, whereas their very relationship may be in jeopardy.

“I’m done, I’m done
Done doing backbends
I break and I snap, It’s no fun, no fun
Pushed myself into a box, while you held out a gun
I’m done, ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
I’m done, I’m done, ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha”

SUNDRY FACTS BEHIND “THE CONTORTIONIST”

“The Contortionist” is the ninth track on the playlist of Melanie Martinez’s third studio album, a project titled “Portals”, which Atlantic Records made public on 31 March 2023.

The song was written by Martinez and CJ Baran, the latter of whom serves as the executive producer of Portals.

And the teasing of the song, according to Melanie’s Fandom wiki, dates back to mid-February, 2023.