I'm just looking out the window and it's cold outside
There are two boys yelling behind me and I'm terrified
Counting trees as they pass me by
And I'm trying not to look across the aisle
'Cause Maya's letting Dan put his hand up her skirt
And she's got her hand down his pants
[Pre-Chorus]
I know the driver sees it
I know he's peeking in the rearview mirror
He says nothing
Trying to ignore it, it's fucking boring
I'm quietly observing‚ I'm saying nothing
[Chorus]
No one's watching us‚ don't give a fuck
Wheels on the bus
I'm holding it down up in the front
Wheels on the bus
Ooh‚ ooh, ooh
Wheels on the bus
[Verse 2]
Now, I'ma light it up and pass it
Puff‚ puff and pass it
Don't be a dick and babysit, c'mon, just pass it over here
Counting cars as they pass me by
And I'm trying not to look a row behind me
'Cause Jason's got his ass on the glass
And I hate him‚ driver hit a bump fast
I know the driver sees it
I know he's peeking in the rearview mirror
He says nothing
Trying to ignore it, it's fucking boring
I'm quietly observing, I'm saying nothing
[Chorus]
No one's watching us, don't give a fuck
Wheels on the bus
I'm holding it down up in the front
Wheels on the bus
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Wheels on the bus
[Bridge]
Ooh, ooh, oh, ooh
Wheels on the, on the bus
Ooh, ha, ooh, oh, ooh, ooh
Wheels on the bus
[Chorus]
No one's watching us, don't give a fuck
Wheels on the bus
I'm holding it down up in the front
Wheels on the bus
Ooh (Wheels on the bus)
Ooh (Wheels on the bus)
Ooh
Wheels on the bus
About
“Wheels on the Bus” is the opening track to Melanie Martinez’s sophomore album, K-12.
The track plays while Cry Baby, Martinez’s character in the K-12 film, is on a bus ride to “Sleepaway School.” Thematically, it dives into the way society turns a blind eye toward troubled teenagers, detailing Crybaby’s distaste with the tomfoolery happening on the bus; such as student’s having sexual relations, smoking weed, stripping their clothes, and the fact that it’s all being overlooked by the bus driver.
There is also a dual meaning to some of the lyrics – they can be interpreted as having to do with the conflicts of society and how the people in power choose to deal with them.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
K-12, Melanie’s sophomore album, was released alongside an movie of the same name. “Wheels on the Bus” plays while Crybaby (Melanie) and Angelita are being driven to their new school, K-12.
Melanie explained in an interview with Beats 1:
“Wheels on the Bus” feels definitely the most kindergarten to me, and it is the start, going on the bus, having that whole experience meeting people on the bus, getting bullied on the bus.
Fun fact… the actors in this scene didn’t learn the choreography till they were on the bus shooting the scene!
-Brian Freidman via Instagram
- 1.Wheels on the Bus
- 2.Class Fight
- 4.Show & Tell
- 6.Drama Club
- 9.Orange Juice
- 10.Detention
- 11.Teacher’s Pet
- 13.Recess
