BIBI’s “Birthday Cake” is a thought-provoking piece that taps into the subject of self-worth and the lack of guidance many people feel while navigating life. It talks about missing out on opportunities and joys—like eating a birthday cake—because nobody told the singer she could. Through her lyrics, BIBI delves into what happens when you don’t give yourself permission to experience the full spectrum of life. She encourages listeners to be bolder and allow themselves to “lose it,” meaning to be freely expressive and grab the opportunities that come their way.
Hungry for more? Stick around as we unpack the hidden layers of this tantalizing track.
“Birthday Cake” Lyrics Meaning
Right off the bat, “Nobody told me I can have the whole chocolate / So I fed it to my buddy,” hooks you in. Here, BIBI laments that she missed out on something sweet (quite literally) because no one told her she could enjoy it. Isn’t that a universal feeling? Missing out on life’s pleasures because of unwritten rules or societal expectations?
The singer goes on, “Nobody told me I get grands for hour and half / So I sold it for one hunnit.” This speaks volumes about undervaluing oneself. Imagine being worth ‘grands’ but settling for ‘one hunnit.’ How often do we do that to ourselves, downplaying our worth because nobody told us we could aim higher?
The chorus then comes in with, “Yeah, I allow myself to lose it / To lose it / Allow myself to lose it.” This is a game-changing realization. BIBI decides she doesn’t need anyone’s permission to ‘lose it’—to be her authentic self, to go after what she wants, or to feel her feelings to the fullest.
Things get even more interesting with, “Nobody told me I can taste my own birthday cake / So I kept it in my closet.” This is both literal and metaphorical. She deprived herself of her own joy because no one told her it was okay to celebrate herself. A birthday cake symbolizes joy, celebration, and the very essence of life. Keeping it in the closet suggests missed opportunities and suppressed happiness.
And finally, “I couldn’t allow myself to lose it,” wraps things up. It’s a sad conclusion but an essential call to action. This is BIBI confronting the cost of self-denial. She shows us that we often can’t afford NOT to allow ourselves to ‘lose it.’
The Story Behind “Birthday Cake”
When BIBI wrote “Birthday Cake,” she was in a reflective state, contemplating the universal struggles people face with self-worth and identity. She was deeply immersed in the young adult experience, filled with questions about life choices, opportunities, and societal norms. This song encapsulates that crucial period many go through, where we have to decide who we are and what we want from life.
The world is a cacophony of ‘shoulds’ and ‘should’ts,’ and sometimes you find yourself contorting to fit these molds. BIBI taps into this struggle as an individual and an artist in the highly scrutinized world of Korean pop music. In this industry, where every move is watched and judged, allowing oneself to ‘lose it’ can be a radical act.
“Birthday Cake” is a wake-up call, a reminder that we often stand in our way of tasting life’s metaphorical (and literal) birthday cakes. It’s not just a catchy tune but a poignant message that encourages us to reevaluate how we live our lives. Are we denying ourselves opportunities because nobody told us we could seize them?
BIBI’s “Birthday Cake” is more than a song; it’s a much-needed conversation starter about seizing your worth, breaking free from societal norms, and fully embracing your unique identity.