TUNNEL VISION

"**Tunnel Vision**" is a song by Melanie Martinez. It is the third track on her third studio album, *PORTALS*. The existence of the song became apparent after the full demo leaked on November 6th, 2021.

## Official versions

* Final - Unknown
* Demo - 3:28
* Concept Demo - Unknown

## Background

On February 11th, 2021, Melanie posted a muted video of her singing the song on Instagram.

## Theme

The theme of this song appears to be about empowerment and self-worth. The lyrics imply a confidence in one's own body and a refusal to be objectified or reduced to a mere sexual object for someone else's pleasure. The lyrics also suggest that the singer is aware of their worth and is not willing to settle for anything less than they deserve, despite the distractions and games played by others. The chorus, in particular, emphasizes one's self-worth and their refusal to be objectified solely for sexual gratification. The line "But I'm more than that, more than that" is repeated multiple times, reinforcing the idea that Cry Baby is not just an object for someone else's pleasure.

## Lyrics

* Final/Demo
* Unused Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**

I make them panic, it's satanic how I bend my body

Yeah you can look but you can't touch, I'm not just anybody

Caught in the haze and hypnotized, and you're too thirsty

Open your view and you will find, stop searching

**[Pre-Chorus]**

Eyes on the prize

Thought the cherry would be better than the pie

You like that, like that, that, like that

That's your demise

Yeah, you hold me like you're rushing to my thighs

Too fast, too fast, fast, too fast

**[Chorus]**

But your focus is empty

Tunnel Vision, and damn it

Honeysuckle and fresh meat

But I'm more than that, more than that

Playing house to distract me

But you're not good at acting

Obvious what you're after

And I'm more than that, more than that

And I'm more than that, more than that

**[Verse 2]**

They always hustle for the pussy, so they'll never get it

I make them tumble down the hill, they climb back, don't regret it

I saw that trick fall out your sleeve, and I'm so saddened

You hold my tune I don't believe, and it ain't working

**[Pre-Chorus]**

Eyes on the prize

Thought the cherry would be better than the pie

You like that, like that, that, like that

That's your demise

Yeah, you hold me like you're rushing to my thighs

Too fast, too fast, fast, too fast

**[Chorus]**

But your focus is empty

Tunnel Vision, and damn it

Honeysuckle and fresh meat

But I'm more than that, more than that

Playing house to distract me

But you're not good at acting

Obvious what you're after

And I'm more than that, more than that

And I'm more than that, more than that

**[Outro]**

Crossing my heart, I'd rather die

Then be the needle in your eye

Show me how far obsession goes

Could've been more, now we'll never know

**[Verse 1]**

I make them panic, it's satanic how I bend my body

Yeah you can look but you can't touch, I'm not just anybody

Caught in the haze and hypnotized, and you're too thirsty

Open your view and you will find

**[Pre-Chorus]**

Eyes on the prize

Thought the cherry would be better than the pie

You like that, like that, that, like that

That's your demise

Yeah you hold me like you're rushing to my thighs

Too fast, too fast, fast, too fast

**[Chorus]**

Tunnel Vision, on a mission

what what what from the flower

Fake what, pollination

Sensation, what what

But your focus is empty

What, and damn it

Honeysuckle and fresh meat

But I'm more than that, more than that

And I'm more than that, more than that

**[Verse 2]**

They always hustle for the pussy, so they'll never get it

I make them tumble down the hill, they climb back, don't regret it

I saw that trick fall out your sleeve, and I'm so saddened

You hold my tune I don't believe, and it ain't working

**[Pre-Chorus]**

Eyes on the prize

Thought the cherry would be better than the pie

You like that, like that, that, like that

That's your demise

Yeah you hold me like you're rushing to my thighs

Too fast, too fast, fast, too fast

**[Chorus]**

Tunnel Vision, on a mission

what what what from the flower

Fake what, pollination

Sensation, what what

But your focus is empty

What, and damn it

Honeysuckle and fresh meat

But I'm more than that, more than that

And I'm more than that, more than that

**[Outro]**

Crossing my heart, I'd rather die

Then be the needle in your eye

Show me how far obsession goes

Could've been more, now we'll never know

## Trivia

* This song shares the same title with another song.
	+ Despite both being titled "Tunnel Vision", they do not share the same theme, except for the use of the term "tunnel vision," which typically refers to a narrow focus on one particular thing, often to the exclusion of other important things.
* Along with "Faerie Soirée", this is the only song that Melanie teased on Instagram, indicating her strong affinity for these tracks and her decision to include them early on in the album's development.
* On February 25th, 2023, a stem edit of the song featuring scrapped lyrics and vocal takes was leaked.

## References

1. ↑ In the muted snippet that Melanie posted, the verse we have doesn't match with the verse she was singing.
2. ↑ a
3. ↑ b