Meaning of "Rich Girls" by The Virgins

The lyrics of "Rich Girls" delve into the discrepancy between wealth and character, exploring the entitlement and arrogance often associated with individuals from privileged backgrounds. The song criticizes the wealthy girls for their haughty attitudes and their tendency to look down on others. The narrator questions their motivations for acting this way, suggesting that it is a defense mechanism to hide their insecurities or dissatisfaction with their own lives. The line "Pretending we're all grown up" implies that these girls are desperate to appear mature and sophisticated, but their behavior only reinforces their immaturity.

The repetition of the line "I'll tell you everything I know, Any little thing I know" signifies the narrator's frustration with the lack of depth and substance in the rich girls' lives. These girls may possess material wealth, but their shallow worldview and lack of empathy prevent them from truly understanding the world around them. The line "Is that the way you see the world, It's just the way you see the world" highlights the subjective nature of their perspectives, emphasizing their limited understanding and narrow-mindedness.

The lyrics also touch upon the narrator's personal experience with one of these rich girls. The encounter reveals a moment of vulnerability and introspection for the girl, as she acknowledges her flaws and insecurities. The broken mirror on her bed symbolizes her shattered self-image and the imperfections she strives to hide. Despite this vulnerability, however, she still maintains an air of superiority and dismisses the narrator's criticisms. This interaction exemplifies the entitled mindset often associated with wealthy individuals, as they choose to ignore or brush off any feedback or criticism that challenges their worldview.

Overall, "Rich Girls" criticizes the superficiality and self-importance that can manifest in individuals from privileged backgrounds. By characterizing these girls as stuck up and condescending, the song highlights the importance of humility, empathy, and self-awareness in one's actions and interactions with others.