When it comes to the lyrics of penelope scott rat, there are some things you need to know. For one thing, the song is a diss track against SpaceX founder Elon Musk. But it also represents an intellectual critique of the tech industry, in particular its use for profit.
Penelope Scott, a 21-year-old American singer and songwriter, has built her career on social media and TikTok, so it’s not surprising that her music is often littered with dark humor and rage. Her songs reckon with touchy subjects -- emotional labor, insecurity, healthcare, and more -- with razor-sharp wit and care.
She’s also known for her chaotic lyricism, which many Gen Z-ers adore. But what makes her music stand out is how she finesses the chaotic Internet ideas in a way that feels genuine and accurate.
The name “Rat” has several meanings, from a rat trap to a term for “reckless” or “lively.” It’s commonly used in the phrase “long muskrat,” which refers to someone who is a bit more impulsive than average. It’s also a reference to the elongated muskrat, an animal that can be found in South America.
In this song, Penelope Scott references Elon Musk a lot. She says that she studies computer coding so that she could be like him and help change the world. But she’s found out that it’s not as easy as it seems.
Another interesting lyric is the line, “You promised you’d be Telsa, but you’re just another Edison.” This line points out that Elon Musk is very much like Thomas Edison — both were known for their inventions, but they also both made money off of their work. They were also tyrants and abusers of the working class.
