Released: 2013
“Kristine” by Sky Ferreira is an intriguing dive into the singer’s nuanced relationship with wealth, self-worth, and societal expectations. The song deftly fuses an existentialist outlook with the lavishly intricate world of young millionaires.
Opening with the lyric, “I’m not feeling bad about it whatsoever / I’m happier near to the ground, so whatever”, Ferreira asserts her contentment with the less materialistic aspects of life, preferring genuineness over superficial heights. It immediately sets the stage for the counter-cultural narrative that unfolds through the lyrics.
Ferreira then employs a play of irony with the line, “A giant comedy with museums and movies with Hedi, the routines of the young millionaires”. Here, Hedi, presumably a reference to acclaimed fashion designer Hedi Slimane, serves as a metaphor for the relentless pursuit of money and fame, a lifestyle that Ferreira acknowledges but doesn’t commit to.
The chorus starts with “I will stand on the hill apolitical still in the name / Of the young millionaires”. This points at Ferreira’s conscious detachment from the political tussle often associated with wealth distribution and social status. Her use of ‘apolitical’ underscores her decision to be an observer without an agenda, instead focusing on her existential concerns.
The next lines, “Misanthropy, could it be in the name of the / Father and the son and the young on the run with a ton? Yeah, the young millionaires”, further dig into the psychological impacts of such a lifestyle. Ferreira wonders if the dislike or contempt for humankind (misanthropy) could be a natural outcome of extravagance and endless pursuit of wealth among the young millionaires.
She ends on a semi-rebellious note singing, “I’ll shoot up the juice before making a truce with Not one in support of the young millionaires”. It’s a clear rejection of the conventional lavish lifestyle prized by the young and wealthy. “Kristine,” presumably an archetype for anyone immersed in this world, seems to be the impetus behind Ferreira’s observations and critique.
Ultimately, “Kristine” reads like a cautionary tale that explores the less glamorous side of excessive wealth and the emotional numbness that can accompany such a lifestyle. Ferreira’s strong voice and biting lyrics tell a story that is as much about her own viewpoint as it is about wider societal preoccupations.
