cliché

The song “cliché” by Machine Gun Kelly is a self-aware celebration of a love story that knowingly embraces well-worn romantic and rock-and-roll tropes. The central theme revolves around the idea that even if a relationship follows a predictable pattern, it does not diminish the authenticity or intensity of the feelings involved. MGK ironically lists numerous stereotypical scenarios—the 'bad boy' being saved by the 'good girl,' trashed hotel rooms, getting matching tattoos, parental disapproval—and reframes them not as unoriginal, but as cherished components of their unique bond. The song's message is a meta-commentary on love in the public eye and the archetypes often portrayed in music and movies. By calling his partner and their love 'cliché,' he's stripping the word of its negative connotations, turning it into a term of endearment and a badge of honor. It suggests that some stories are repeated because they are timeless and deeply human. The song ultimately argues for the beauty in predictability and finds a sincere, powerful connection within a framework that others might dismiss as generic.

The narrative unfolds from the perspective of a self-aware protagonist deeply in love, addressing his partner. He begins by acknowledging the almost predictable, storybook nature of their meeting, admitting he's not the conventional 'good guy' she might have been looking for. He paints a picture of a quintessential rock-and-roll lifestyle, mentioning trashed hotel rooms, a testament to their wild and carefree existence. The protagonist sees their love story as something so perfectly typical it's like a movie scene, one he has seen many times before. He openly admits that their dynamic—his 'bad boy' persona and her being the one who 'fixes' him—is a well-worn trope, a cliché.

He delves deeper into this theme by listing classic romantic and rebellious clichés they embody. He references the iconic 'I'm just a boy, standing in front of a girl' line from the movie Notting Hill, highlighting his awareness of their love story's cinematic quality. He finds beauty and authenticity in these so-called clichés, suggesting that just because a story has been told before doesn't make it any less real or meaningful for them. He talks about smoking his last cigarette and giving her his jacket, classic gestures of care and intimacy within this archetype. The core message is an embrace of these stereotypes; he loves that she is 'so cliché'.

The song builds on this by cataloging more shared experiences that fit the mold: getting matching tattoos, his name written in a heart, and her parents disapproving of him. These are all hallmarks of a rebellious, youthful romance often depicted in media. Rather than finding this unoriginal, he celebrates it. The repeated declaration, 'I love that you're so cliché,' serves as the song's central hook and emotional anchor. It's a declaration that their love is perfect not in spite of its predictability, but because of it. The story concludes with a sense of defiant pride in their relationship, a shared world built on familiar, yet deeply cherished, romantic ideals.

“cliché” was released as the seventh track on Machine Gun Kelly's sixth studio album, mainstream sellout, which came out on March 25, 2022. The album continues MGK's well-publicized shift from hip-hop to a pop-punk sound, a transition that was heavily influenced by his collaboration with blink-182 drummer and producer, Travis Barker. Barker served as a producer for the entire album, including “cliché,” and was instrumental in shaping its sonic landscape. The song was written by Machine Gun Kelly (Colson Baker), Travis Barker, Nick Long, and Brandon Allen. It was recorded during the sessions for the album, which aimed to both embrace and satirize MGK's new position in the rock world. The song's lyrical content, focusing on a self-aware 'cliché' romance, is widely interpreted as being inspired by his high-profile relationship with actress Megan Fox, which was a frequent subject in the media and often highlighted for its rock-and-roll aesthetic.

The rhyme scheme in “cliché” is relatively simple and direct, contributing to its catchy, memorable quality. It primarily follows an AABB or ABCB pattern in the verses, which is common in pop and rock music, making the lyrics easy to follow and sing along to. For example, in the first verse, 'armor' rhymes with 'karma,' and 'movie' with 'groupie'. The chorus is built around the repetition of the title word, which acts as a hook. The rhythm is fast-paced and driving, with a common time signature (4/4) and a tempo typical of pop-punk, likely around 160-170 BPM. The lyrical rhythm is syllabically dense but delivered in a way that aligns perfectly with the driving beat of the drums and guitars. This tight interplay between the vocal rhythm and the instrumentation is crucial to the song's high-energy feel, encouraging physical movement and creating a sense of urgency and excitement.

“cliché” is a prime example of modern pop-punk, employing several stylistic techniques to achieve its energetic and anthemic feel.

• Musical Techniques: The song is built on a foundation of fast, driving power chords played on distorted electric guitars, a hallmark of the pop-punk genre. The rhythm section features a high-tempo, straightforward drum beat from Travis Barker, characterized by a prominent snare and energetic fills, pushing the song forward. The bassline is propulsive and follows the root notes of the guitar chords, providing a solid low-end. The arrangement is simple and effective, moving between verse, chorus, and a bridge with dynamic shifts that build and release tension.
• Vocal Delivery: Machine Gun Kelly's vocal performance is impassioned and slightly raw, with a conversational feel in the verses that builds to a more anthemic, sung-shouted delivery in the chorus. This earnest delivery sells the ironic sincerity of the lyrics.
• Literary Techniques: The lyrics utilize direct address ('I know you were looking for a knight in shining armor') and rhetorical questions to create an intimate, conversational tone. The primary technique is listing or cataloging, where MGK enumerates various clichés to build his central argument. The use of irony is central, as he celebrates what is typically criticized.

“cliché” served as a key track on the album mainstream sellout, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, solidifying Machine Gun Kelly's successful transition into a mainstream rock act. The song itself wasn't released as a lead single but became a fan favorite due to its catchy nature and resonant, meta-commentary on his public persona and relationship with Megan Fox. It encapsulates the album's core theme of embracing the 'sellout' label and turning criticism into a source of strength. Culturally, the song is significant within MGK's discography as a perfect example of his pop-punk revivalist sound, heavily influenced by producer Travis Barker. It has been used in various fan-made video compilations and is a staple in discussions about his musical pivot. While it hasn't had widespread use in film or TV, it remains a defining track of his 'pop-punk era' and is celebrated by his fanbase for its honesty and anthemic quality.

The primary literary device in “cliché” is the central, overarching metaphor of the 'cliché' itself. The song takes an abstract concept—unoriginality—and treats it as a positive, tangible foundation for a relationship.

• The Cliché as a Symbol of Authenticity: By openly listing stereotypical romantic actions (giving his jacket, getting matching tattoos, being the 'troubled' musician), MGK flips the meaning of cliché. Instead of representing a lack of originality, it symbolizes a love so classic and powerful that it naturally fits into timeless archetypes. It suggests their connection is real *because* it mirrors these powerful, oft-told stories.
• Hotel Rooms as a Metaphor for a Wild Life: The 'trashed hotel room' is a classic rock-and-roll image. It symbolizes a chaotic, rebellious, and transient lifestyle, but within the song, it's the backdrop against which their stable, loving connection is ironically highlighted.
• Cinematic References as Imagery: The direct reference to the movie Notting Hill ('I'm just a boy, standing in front of a girl') is not just a quote but a symbol of self-awareness. It's an admission that he sees their life through a cinematic lens, acknowledging the performative and idealized aspects of their public romance while simultaneously affirming the genuine emotion behind it.

The most significant recurring element in the song is the word and concept of “cliché” itself. The phrase 'I love that you're so cliché' serves as the song's central hook and thesis statement, appearing at the end of the chorus and driving the entire meaning of the track. Its repetition transforms the word from an insult into a term of endearment. Another recurring motif is the act of cataloging stereotypical romantic and rock-star behaviors. The song repeatedly lists examples: trashing hotel rooms, smoking the last cigarette, giving a jacket when it's cold, getting matching tattoos, dealing with disapproving parents. This list isn't just a random collection; it's a purposefully curated set of images that builds a consistent, recognizable world of rebellious love. The repetition of this cataloging structure in the verses reinforces the central theme that their entire existence is a collection of beloved clichés.