Venus Fly Trap is a single by Marina Diamandis, released under her current stage name 'MARINA'. Appearing on her fifth studio album, Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land, it is the 2nd track on the album, and was released as the 4th single.
The song was written alone, and co-produced by Marina, with James Flannigan credited as the main producer.
Background[]
In May 2013, Marina stated she had "bankrupted" her label[1] and later clarified in March 2015 it was a joke.[2] This would start a running gag within the community, saying Marina was "poor", also fueled by Gold's line "I'm a million dollars in the hole" and her lengthy break after the release of FROOT. In August 2018, Marina got into a Twitter spat with a fan[3] about these comments and confirmed in 2021 this inspired her "millionairess" line.[4]
❝ I bet I'm going to get so much shit for that line. I'm not here any more to play it small or be worried because I've spent my whole life doing that. I've spent so many years in anxiety mode. Of course there are going to be people who disagree with what I say. But what am I going to do? Just not express any views? ❞
On March 17, 2021, Marina shared a snippet of her dancing to the track on social media.[5] A few days later, on the 25th, the song showed up on a music recognition website under the name "Venus Fly Trap".
On June 4, Marina announced Venus Fly Trap as the fourth single from the album, revealing the cover art and release date.[6] However, the song, along with the rest of the album, leaked two days later on the 6th, due to some stores selling the CDs too early. On the album release day, Marina posted a video snippet from the song on her social media,[7] and on the 12th, to celebrate her first online concert, Marina shared a snippet of the song's songwriting demo during the afterparty.[8]
Marina announced and released three remixes over late June to early August, noticeably a remix featuring vocals from Tove Lo.[9]
On July 28, Marina participated in a Genius interview where she sang an acapella and further explained the meaning of the song.[10]
On January 7, 2022, the "songwriting" demo played during Ancient Dreams: Live from the Desert's afterparty, was released on the deluxe edition of the album.
Meaning[]
Marina has said of the song's meaning:[11]
I'm sure my lyrics are going to be taken out of context and misunderstood, which I love. It's a very sassy, fun, bouncy, big song. It's silly, but I love it so much.
Additionally on Twitter, Marina added to the song's meaning:[12] 'Venus Fly Trap' is a celebration of self ownership, confidence + joy that comes from truly being free.
In an interview with People, she expanded:[13]
❝ A strong-rooted song that's silly and sassy. I think some of us in life have had experiences that have made us feel like we couldn't be ourselves, or that we had to play it small so that other people liked us. I've experienced that as a kid, but also in my career. It's a pattern. It's not really anyone else's fault. I really don't feel like that anymore. I don't think we're here to play it small and live the lives that our partners or our parents or our friends want us to live. We're here to be ourselves and to bring to the world whatever we have to bring to it. That song, it's a celebration for me. ❞
When asked about the inspiration behind the song, she said:[14]
❝ [It']s to really celebrate who you are, and that sounds a little bit cliche, but what I mean by that is: don't be apologetic about yourself, don't play it small for anybody. None of us are here to be small, to make other people feel safe or comfortable. That's something that I've struggled with my whole life, on the outside I've led a very free and fortunate existence but internally I didn't feel so free but now I do, and that song helped me to express that. ❞
Trivia[]
- Venus Fly Trap is the shortest track on Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land, being only 2:38 in length.
- Marina has stated it is one of her favourite tracks from the album,[15] and the most fun and "freeing" to write.[14]
- The variant cover of the fourth issue of "Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver" by Marvel Comics[16] features the titular character Wanda Maximoff posing in a similar fashion to Marina in the music video for Venus Fly Trap. The artist behind the cover, Marguerite Sauvage, soon stated she had obtained the reference for the character's pose from image-sharing app Pinterest, which she later discovered was a screenshot taken from Marina's music video.[17]
Connections[]
- The theme of a "million dollars" (being a millionairess) connects the song to:
Artwork[]
 Credits
Photographer
COUGHS
Designer
SPIER GRAPHICS (remixes)
|
Photoshoot _4-001.jpg "COUGHS (31 Mar 2021) 4-001.jpg (9.8 MB)") _4-001_(cropped).jpeg "COUGHS (31 Mar 2021) 4-001 (cropped).jpeg (623 KB)") Alt. crop Media  Single artwork  Logo  Blossom Remix  Kito Remix  Sofi Tukker Remix |
Videos[]
| Video | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Title | Venus Fly Trap | |
| Premiere | 09 Jun 2021 | |
| Length | 3:02 | |
| Director | Weird Life Films | |
| Producer | Erin Boyle, Anthony Pedone | |
| Production company | Weird Life Films | |
| Editor | Rick Gorge | |
| Choreographer | Lisa Eaton | |
Behind the Scenes
| Video | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Title | Venus Fly Trap on Late Night with Seth Myers | |
| Premiere | 14 Jun 2021 | |
| Length | 3:16 | |
| Production company | NBC Studios | |
| Notes | This is a reupload of the original video as the "Late Night with Seth Myers" YouTube channel had set the original video to private. | |
| Video | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Title | MARINA "Venus Fly Trap" Genius Interview | |
| Premiere | 28 Jul 2021 | |
| Length | 7:57 | |
| Production company | Genius | |
Official Versions[]
| Version | Released on | Date | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ▶ | Single/Album [Inst.]
|
Venus Fly Trap • Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land | Single: 09 Jun 2021 | 2:38 |
| Remixes | ||||
| Blossom Remix | Venus Fly Trap (Blossom Remix) | 30 Jun 2021 | 3:29 | |
| Kito Remix (feat. Tove Lo) | Venus Fly Trap (Kito Remix) [feat. Tove Lo] | 16 Jul 2021 | 2:42 | |
| Sofi Tukker Remix | Venus Fly Trap (Sofi Tukker Remix) | 06 Aug 2021 | 3:09 | |
| Demos | ||||
| ▶ | Demo | Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land (Deluxe) | 07 Jan 2021 | 2:34 |
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
Whatever you give life you will get back
Why be a wallflower when you can be a Venus fly trap?
[Pre-Chorus]
I never quite fit in to that Hollywood thing (Ah)
I didn't play that game for the money or the fame (Oh)
I did it my way, baby
Nothing in this world could change me
[Chorus]
Don't underestimate me 'cause one day you're gonna see
You're in a losing battle, babe, you'll never stop me being me
I got the beauty, got the brains, got the power, hold the reigns
I should be motherfuckin' crazy
Nothing in this world could change me
[Verse 2]
I sacrificed it all for a life to call mine
All the love and security to be myself, oh I
[Pre-Chorus 2]
I know that money ain't important (Ah)
And it don't mean you're the best (Oh)
But I earned it all myself, and I'm a millionairess
I did it my way, baby
Nothing in this world could change me
[Chorus]
Don't underestimate me 'cause one day you're gonna see
You're in a losing battle, babe, you'll never stop me being me
I got the beauty, got the brains, got the power, hold the reigns
I should be motherfuckin' crazy
Nothing in this world could change me
[Bridge]
They'll shame you, blame you, pretend to even hate you
Take away your rights, pacify you with their lies
Whatever you give life you are gonna get back
Why be a wallflower when you can be a Venus fly trap?
[Chorus]
Don't underestimate me 'cause one day you're gonna see
You're in a losing battle, babe, you'll never stop me being me
'Cause whatever you give life you're gonna get back
Why be a wallflower when you can be a Venus fly trap?
[Outro]
Nothing in this world, ooh
Nothing in this world could change me
Me
[Intro: MARINA]
Whatever you give life you will get back
Why be a wallflower when you can be a Venus fly trap?
[Chorus: MARINA]
I got the beauty, got the brains, got the power, hold the reigns
I should be motherfuckin' crazy
Nothing in this world could change me
[Verse 1: Tove Lo]
They say, "Girl, don't you know you're a woman now? (Ah-ah-ah)
Show some class and keep your head down"
(Keep your head down, ah-ah-ah)
You see me laughing all the way to my happiness
Ooh yeah, I look like a winner in my golden dress
Feel the breeze when I'm flyin', boy, I never rest
Feel the beat whеn I'm banging on my naked chest
[Verse 2: MARINA]
I know that monеy ain't important, and it don't mean you're the bеst
But I earned it all myself, and I'm a millionairess
[Pre-Chorus: MARINA]
I did it my way, baby
Nothing in this world could change me
[Chorus: MARINA & Tove Lo]
Don't underestimate me 'cause one day you're gonna see
You're in a losing battle, babe, you'll never stop me being me
I got the beauty, got the brains, got the power, hold the reigns
I should be motherfuckin' crazy
Nothing in this world could change me
[Post-Chorus: MARINA]
I sacrificed it all for a life to call mine
All the love and security to be myself, oh, I
[Bridge]
They'll shame you, blame you, pretend to even hate you
Take away your rights, pacify you with their lies
Whatever you give life, you are gonna get back
Why be a wallflower when you can be a Venus fly trap?
[Chorus]
Don't underestimate me 'cause one day you're gonna see
You're in a losing battle, babe, you'll never stop me being me
'Cause whatever you give life you're gonna get back
Why be a wallflower when you can be a Venus fly trap?
[Outro]
Nothing in this world
Nothing in this world could change me (Nothing in this world)
Nothing in this world, me
Credits[]
Personnel[]
- Marina Diamandis - Vocals, backing vocals
- Alex Reeves - Drums
- Jack Garrat - Guitar, Bass Guitar
Technical[]
- Written by Marina Diamandis
- Produced by Marina Diamandis and James Flannigan
- Drums – Alex Reeves
- Guitar, Bass Guitar – Jack Garratt
- Mastered By – Greg Calbi
- Published By – Warner/Chappell Music Publishing Ltd.
References[]
- ↑ https://www.digitalspy.com/music/a479002/marina-and-the-diamonds-ive-bankrupted-my-label-we-have-no-money
- ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31838270
- ↑ https://twitter.com/marinadiamandis/status/1033383751366201344
- ↑ https://inews.co.uk/culture/marina-diamandis-ancient-dreams-modern-land-interview-when-i-walked-away-from-music-my-sense-of-purpose-evaporated-1044722
- ↑ https://twitter.com/MarinaDiamandis/status/1372231387869192194
- ↑ https://twitter.com/MarinaDiamandis/status/1400874252585209856
- ↑ https://twitter.com/MarinaDiamandis/status/1402322463279751169?s=20
- ↑ https://dbree.org/v/5c1ce4
- ↑ https://twitter.com/MarinaDiamandis/status/1415346988296585219
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N469Ej01w1I
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni6BoQNejE8&feature=youtu.be
- ↑ https://twitter.com/MarinaDiamandis/status/1402716397151555586
- ↑ https://people.com/music/marina-drops-ancient-dreams-in-a-modern-land-talks-heartbreak-freedom/
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 https://youtu.be/aFDC3HEdEUo?si=m3OyrmlbqRIonWCB&t=297
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Ni6BoQNejE8?t=424
- ↑ https://leagueofcomicgeeks.com/comic/2698689/scarlet-witch-quicksilver-4?variant=6939703
- ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/C3qLdjjRqXn
Archive: https://archive.ph/Wf5pS
 | |
|---|---|
| Tour • Merch • Photography • Collaborators | |
| Discography | |
| Releases | Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land |
| Tracklist | Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land • Venus Fly Trap • Man's World • Purge The Poison • Highly Emotional People • New America • Pandora's Box • I Love You But I Love Me More • Flowers • Goodbye • Happy Loner • Pink Convertible • Free Woman |
| Non-Album | |
| Unleaked | Cause I'm A Woman • Not Over You • The Painter |
| Misc | Stay All Night • Sway With Me |
| Other Eras | |
| Mermaid vs. Sailor • The Family Jewels • Electra Heart • FROOT • LOVE + FEAR • Ancient Dreams • Sixth Studio Album (Upcoming) | |