Melanie Martinez – Wheels on the Bus Lyrics Meaning

“Wheels on the Bus” is the first track from Melanie’s second album, K-12. Let’s learn the meaning behind the lyrics of “Wheels on the Bus” by Melanie Martinez.

From the snippet of the song, it looks like a song for the kids. However, our best guess would be, it probably is a Kindergarten themed song.

Introduction

The song “Wheels on the Bus” is about children’s activities that cannot be justified with their age.

However, despite knowing the truth, the adults who are responsible for taking care of these kids are ignoring the scene. This gives them a pass to do anything they want to anywhere they want.

Wheels on the Bus Lyrics Meaning

Let’s learn the meaning behind the lyrics of “Wheels on the Bus” by Melanie Martinez in detail.

[Verse 1]

In the first verse, Melanie Martinez is on the school bus. She is looking outside the window and it’s very cold out there.

The singer is scared of the boys yelling from right behind her. The cold environment in which she’s at is making her uncomfortable at the same time.

She is counting the trees as the bus passes by so as to distract herself.

Now, what she witnesses is a matter of keen curiosity to the children at that age!

Her two friends, Dan and Maya, are flirting with each other and Melanie is trying her best to ignore the aisle.

Then, all of a sudden, Dan puts his hand up Maya’s skirt and Maya puts her hand down Dan’s pants.

At least some people know how to keep themselves warm!

[Pre-Chorus]

Melanie knows that the driver sees what’s happening on the bus. He is quietly observing from his rearview mirror.

But he says nothing.

In fact, no one says anything whatsoever.

Melanie, who is sitting right next to this couple, is trying her best to ignore them while observing their moves secretly.

She is saying nothing as well.

[Chorus]

Even though everyone knows what everyone is doing, no one is talking about it. Like everyone, Melanie is willing to stay quiet as well.

Melanie Martinez doesn’t want to create a scene since she isn’t the only person who is witnessing the things happening on the bus.

Since everyone is ignoring everyone, this gives a small degree of freedom to Melanie as well. She can do anything she wants to as well!

[Verse 2]

As the saying goes, “one rotten tomato can ruin all other fresh tomatoes in the basket!”, it couldn’t be less true.

Yes, you’ve guessed it and you’ve guessed it right! She is rolling up the joints. Since no one cares, she is smoking it. She is passing it to those who are interested to keep themselves warm!

Melanie was counting the trees before and now she is counting the cars! She doesn’t want to look behind since her friend Jason is sitting on the seat where she is sitting.

He is probably having fun and keeping himself warm as well. Melanie seems jealous of Jason. So, she wishes the driver to drive over a bump so that he’d fall off of the seat.

Conclusion

Would you smoke joints like Melanie Martinez while on the bus?

What do you think of the meaning behind the lyrics of “Wheels on the Bus” by Melanie Martinez?

Let us know in the comment below!

Click here to read what Melanie does at the Nurse’s Office!

Read the meaning behind the lyrics of “Wheels on the Bus” by Melanie Martinez on Genius in detail.