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Like the Other Girls is an unfinished demo by Marina Diamandis. Initially intended for a scrapped re-package of The Family Jewels, the co-writing session didn't work out as planned and the song was never finished.

The instrumental was reused in Shine Down, by Ximena SariƱana,[1] which was released in May 2011.

Background[]

In a December 2009 interview,[2] Marina said she was going to L.A. for a writing session with Dave Sitek and producer Benny Blanco, as a good opportunity for her as a songwriter, and hopefully a good combination of "super pop and really indie". As The Family Jewels was finished by that point, Marina expressed a desire to do a second release as an extension of her album. Akin to 'The Fame Monster' by Lady Gaga.

A few weeks later, on January 12, Marina stated in an interview the song would not be on her next album.[3] Months later, she said that she "wasn't feeling it" and is very picky with song writing.[4] A decade later, in 2021, Marina spoke about the session in which Like the Other Girls was written:[5]

ā I think that's only happened to me about twice. [Having to leave the session] The stress was so high on one of them that I actually cried. [laughs] I went to the bathroom I was like, after like five hours, I had written like one line. I'll actually tell you who it was cause these people would laugh now, cause it was so long ago and they're both nice people. It was Benny Blanco and Dave Sitek, and on paper it was like 'ooh interesting' this could be a really good collaboration. I'd just released Hollywood at the time. But in reality I don't know what it was I liked both of those guys and I'm still in touch with Benny, it wasn't anything personal, it just didn't work. And so you just have to say "you know, I can't do this", [laughs] I'm going to go cry in the loo and then leave. āž

The instrumental for the track was likely already finished before Marina entered the writing session, with the intention of her singing over the track (or tracks) to see what best fit. Due to the quality of the vocals Marina possibly could have tried to complete the song herself at home, though we will never know for sure.

On December 13, 2020, the final instrumental of the song used by Ximena was leaked on DBREE.[6]

Trivia[]

  • The melody of the song is similar to that of another unreleased track by Marina, Scab & Plaster.

Official Versions[]

Version Released on Date Length
[7] Incomplete Demo (Rec. ~Jan 2010) N/A - Demo Leaked: ~9 Dec 2011 4:23

Lyrics[]

You think I'm like the other girls
You think I'm like the rest
They think I'd like to rule the world
But this is all a test

Hey, you think you're seeing the future
Hey, you think the feeling is mutual

You think I'm like the other girls
You think I'm like the rest
You think I wanna rule the world
And this is all a test

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Hey, thinking you want domination
Hey, you're not a teenage sensation
Hey, I'll wipe the sunburnt away
Hey, won't give a fuck what you say

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah

Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah

Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

References[]

TFJindexlogo
Tours ā€¢ Merch ā€¢ Photography ā€¢ Blog ā€¢ Collaborators
Discography
Releases The Family Jewels ā€¢ The Crown Jewels ā€¢ The American Jewels ā€¢ iTunes Live: '09 ā€¢ iTunes Live: '10
Tracklist Are You Satisfied? ā€¢ Shampain ā€¢ I Am Not a Robot ā€¢ Girls ā€¢ Mowgli's Road ā€¢ Obsessions ā€¢ Hollywood ā€¢ The Outsider ā€¢ Hermit the Frog ā€¢ Oh No! ā€¢ Rootless ā€¢ Numb ā€¢ Guilty ā€¢ The Family Jewels ā€¢ Seventeen
Non-Album Happy Meal ā€¢ Simplify ā€¢ Blindfold Me ā€¢ Bad Kidz ā€¢ Starlight ā€¢ Sinful ā€¢ Not That Ugly ā€¢ Jealousy ā€¢ Like the Other Girls ā€¢ Dirty Sheets
Misc Porn Does Good ā€¢ What You Waiting For? ā€¢ Space and the Woods ā€¢ Sweet Dreams ā€¢ Many of Horror ā€¢ Candy ā€¢ Starstrukk ā€¢ Perfect Stranger
Other Eras
Mermaid vs. Sailor ā€¢ The Family Jewels ā€¢ Electra Heart ā€¢ FROOT ā€¢ LOVE + FEAR ā€¢ Ancient Dreams
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