Rules for Girls

[vocal mature_female_lead, clear_enunciation, low_timbre, forceful_delivery, expressive_rock_phrasing, sharp_attack, strong_chorus_lift] [tempo midtempo_alt_rock, driving_pulse, tight_groove] [entry tight_guitar_entry, centered_intro, mono_centered_intro] [instrumentation gritty_electric_guitars, punchy_bass, dynamic_drums, snare_forward_groove, layered_chorus_guitars, sharp_rhythm_guitar_hits] [production raw_2000s_alt_rock, studio_band_energy, analog_warmth, dlx_finish, tight_dynamic_lift, hook_forward_arrangement] [mood defiant, sarcastic, wounded, biting, resilient] [mix vocal_forward, balanced_low_mids, smooth_high_end, softened_cymbal_transients, clean_top_end, balanced_stereo_field, cohesive_guitar_weight] [section verse_chorus_verse_chorus_bridge_final_chorus] [tape saturation, subtle analog warmth] Verse 1 Cross your legs, don’t take up space Smile enough to hide your rage Don’t speak first, don’t speak loud And never, ever stand too proud Say yes when you mean no Bake forgiveness just so-so Keep your tone like chamomile And cry in private when you feel Chorus These are the rules for girls Passed down like a pretty curse Tied in bows, sewn in seams Bury your voice, stitch up your dreams Be nice, be small, be sweet, be still Swallow the fire, die on the hill I followed the rules — then I burned them down Now I’m the girl they talk about Verse 2 Wear enough to look polite Not too much — don’t invite Never age, never weigh And smile like you’re okay Don’t win too loud or lose too hard Don’t play offense, stay on guard Don’t want too much, don’t break the mold And God forbid you get too bold Chorus These are the rules for girls Etched in pink and weaponized pearls Framed as love, taught as truth Made to hold us back in youth Be soft, be good, be less, behave Make a home and learn to cave I followed the rules — then I walked away Now I’m the woman they warn you about today Bridge And I don’t need your reframe Or your soft apology I’m not your almost version Of what a girl should be Final Chorus These were the rules for girls But I rewrote every verse I’m too much now, too wild, too free Too full of things they feared in me I’m done being careful, done being tame Call me what you will — I kept my name I broke all the rules and I lived somehow Now I’m the girl they can’t shut down