Penelope Scott’s “Lotta True Crime” is a gripping anthem that explores the dark fascination with true crime stories and how they intersect with female empowerment. The song captures the feeling of vulnerability many women experience and flips it into a form of strength. At its core, “Lotta True Crime” is a defiant stance against the societal narrative that women are perpetual victims. It questions the glorification of criminals and emphasizes the power dynamics at play. The song warns that underestimating women can be a grave mistake.
Curious about this compelling blend of true crime and feminism? Keep reading as we unpack the multi-layered message in “Lotta True Crime.”
“Lotta True Crime” Lyrics Meaning
The song kicks off with a tense scene: a girl outside behind a bar calls for a car, and we’re immediately introduced to three threatening figures in a van. “Well she’ll f**king kill you, She wins every fight,” sings Penelope, turning the tables and emphasizing the girl’s resilience.
When Penelope sings, “the only advantage that a killer has, is they think they have the right,” she’s pointing out the skewed power dynamics. Many criminals act on an inflated sense of entitlement, but this song challenges that. It’s a reminder that women have power, too, even when society tries to paint them as helpless.
The chorus, “I listen to a lot of true crime,” explains and justifies this dark but empowering narrative. The artist appreciates the camaraderie and shared experiences found in true crime stories. There’s comfort in hearing other women navigate dangerous situations. It’s a way to share survival strategies, and the “girl talk vibes” make her “feel just fine.”
The song also tackles the issue of romanticizing criminals, as seen in the lines about Ted Bundy: “But Ted Bundy was just never that f**king bright, He was just sorta charismatic and White alright.” Penelope Scott points out how societal factors, like charisma and race, can often overshadow the gravity of a person’s crimes.
The lyric “You’re not special for winning a game with someone who you know was never playing,” is an attack on the killers who think they’re clever for outsmarting their victims. The song insists that these women are strong and could’ve fought back given the chance, dismantling the myth of the ‘brilliant’ criminal.
The Story Behind “Lotta True Crime”
When Penelope Scott penned “Lotta True Crime,” she tapped into a cultural moment that has been swelling for years—the explosive popularity of true crime stories, especially among women. True crime podcasts, documentaries, and books serve as both cautionary tales and coping mechanisms. They offer women a chance to explore their vulnerabilities in a controlled environment and then arm themselves with knowledge.
Scott was in a state of reflection, dissecting societal narratives that both glamorize criminals and infantilize women. By choosing to make her song blend dark themes with an empowering twist, she’s participating in a form of rebellion. The song challenges existing narratives and demands that we reconsider who gets to be the ‘hero’ and who the ‘villain’ in these stories.
It’s clear that Penelope Scott is done with the tropes that paint women as eternal victims and killers as misunderstood geniuses. Her song screams for a reevaluation of these toxic narratives. And the best part? She’s not alone. With a growing audience that thrives on both true crime and female empowerment, Scott’s “Lotta True Crime” hits all the right notes. It’s a call to arms, a wakeup call, and a form of solidarity—all rolled into one.