The song “Prom Queen” by Beach Bunny has become a viral hit since its release in 2018. With its catchy indie pop sound and relatable lyrics about teenage insecurity and unrequited love, the song has resonated with many listeners. But who is behind this hit track? In this comprehensive article, we will uncover the story behind “Prom Queen” and the artist known as Beach Bunny. We’ll look at how the song was written, the inspiration behind it, and the career of Beach Bunny’s mastermind Lili Trifilio. Whether you’re a new fan looking to learn more or a longtime listener eager for fresh insights, read on to find out who wrote “Prom Queen” by Beach Bunny.
The Origins of Beach Bunny
Beach Bunny is the musical project of singer-songwriter Lili Trifilio. Based out of Chicago, IL, Beach Bunny began as a solo endeavor for Trifilio who uploaded acoustic bedroom pop songs to Soundcloud under the moniker Beach Bunny starting in 2015. The name Beach Bunny was inspired by Trifilio’s love of summertime. Many of her early songs reflected dreamy adolescent themes of crushes, heartbreak, and youthful innocence.
As Trifilio’s Soundcloud songs began gaining traction, she assembled a full band to bring the Beach Bunny sound to live performances. Though Trifilio writes all the songs herself, the band now consists of Matt Henkels on guitar, Anthony Vaccaro on bass, and Jon Alvarado on drums. This grouping came together in 2018 and began playing shows in the Chicago indie scene.
The Writing and Release of “Prom Queen”
In February 2018, Beach Bunny released the song “Prom Queen” on their debut EP titled Pool Party. While Trifilio had been writing songs for several years up to this point, “Prom Queen” proved to be a major breakthrough.
The inspiration for the track came from Trifilio’s own experiences being bullied and feeling like an outcast in high school. She has said the song was born out of painful memories of unrequited crushes and feeling invisible next to seemingly perfect and popular peers.
In an interview with Atwood Magazine Trifilio explained, “I wrote ‘Prom Queen’ based on three real moments that felt significant in my high school experience. The first verse is inspired by a crush I had junior year. He was a senior and didn’t know I existed. The pre-chorus is inspired by a moment I felt invisible next to a friend who seemed perfect in every way. The chorus, and title ‘Prom Queen’ is inspired by a group of popular girls at my school who bullied me for being different.”
By channeling those vulnerabilities into the lyrics and melody of “Prom Queen,” Trifilio crafted a song that struck a chord with listeners who could relate to such formative adolescent experiences.
Lyrical Analysis
The lyrics of “Prom Queen” reflect the quintessential themes Trifilio intended – insecurity, unrequited love, and feelings of otherness:
Do you think of me when you’re with her?
‘Cause I think of you with other girls
I only wanted your attention
But you never even noticed me
Then she walks in
Your new girlfriend
I hate her so
She’s everything I’m insecure about
Yeah, today I saw your phone screen
It was her in the dress I wanted
I’ll never be prom queen
The song’s narrator pines after a boy who only has eyes for another girl – the “prom queen” of the title. While simple in concept, the lyrics touchingly encapsulate the fragility of self-esteem and unspoken crushes so many experience as teenagers.
Music Video
To accompany the song, Beach Bunny also released a music video for “Prom Queen” directed by Liv Haynes. The video stars actress and wrestler Zoe Lucas as the narrator of the song.
We see Lucas sadly watching her crush flirt with another girl, gazing at their prom photos online, and ultimately finding freedom and catharsis by smashing a crown – symbolically destroying the concept of the “perfect prom queen.” The video captures the feeling of isolation and longing in the song with an emotional performance by Lucas.
The Success of “Prom Queen”
Shortly after its release, “Prom Queen” quickly gained traction on streaming platforms like Spotify. Fans connected with the raw emotions and many heard their own experiences mirrored in the song.
In 2019, the track went viral on TikTok with countless users creating videos using the tune. “Prom Queen” has over 65 million streams on Spotify alone and is certified Gold in the US. It remains Beach Bunny’s most popular song to date.
The success of “Prom Queen” catapulted Beach Bunny into newfound fame, leading to sold-out shows and bigger tour opportunities. Though Trifilio had been crafting heartfelt pop songs for years beforehand, it was the relatability of “Prom Queen” that resonated widely and acted as her breakthrough.
The Artist Behind “Prom Queen” – Lili Trifilio
So who is the talented creative force behind “Prom Queen” – Lili Trifilio?
Born and raised outside of Chicago, Trifilio became interested in music at an early age. She taught herself guitar as a teenager and drew inspiration from female singer-songwriters like Paramore’s Hayley Williams, her biggest role model.
Trifilio began writing songs to cope with the ups and downs of adolescence. Her early material consisted of intimate lo-fi bedroom pop uploads, establishing the vulnerable lyrical style she expanded on with “Prom Queen” and other Beach Bunny tracks.
A self-described “shy kid,” music provided Trifilio with an outlet to express herself and find confidence. After brief stints in other bands, Beach Bunny became her primary focus, allowing her to refine her songwriting abilities and take creative control.
Now in her early 20s, Trifilio handles all the songwriting for Beach Bunny, drawing from her own experiences and relationships. She has cited influences like Tegan and Sara, Haim, and Alvvays when discussing her catchy pop rock style.
In the studio Trifilio plays guitar and handles lead vocals while her bandmates flesh out the arrangements. On tour she’s an energetic frontwoman, connecting with crowds through the diary-like intimacy of her lyrics.
Aside from Beach Bunny, Trifilio is also currently pursuing a degree in graphic design and photography. Her creative talents extend beyond music into visual mediums as well. She directs Beach Bunny’s music videos and designs all their album artwork and merch.
After years honing her craft as an indie musician, the monumental response to “Prom Queen” has opened up Trifilio’s potential to reach wider audiences. However through it all, she maintains full authenticity and ownership over her work – marking the sign of a true modern auteur.
Beach Bunny’s Continued Growth
On the heels of their breakout song “Prom Queen,” Beach Bunny has continued to flourish. They have released several well-received EPs and singles showcasing Trifilio’s stylistic songwriting.
In July 2020, Beach Bunny dropped their first full-length record called Honeymoon. The 12-track album expanded on their signature pop rock sound, chronicling love, loss, and the challenges of one’s early 20s. Singles like “Dream Boy” and “Cloud 9” have connected with fans, along with deeper cuts like “Racetrack” and “April.”
Beach Bunny embarked on sold-out headlining tours across the US in 2019 and 2021 supporting their EPs and Honeymoon album. They made their TV debut performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live in January 2021.
The group has played major festivals like Lollapalooza, Firefly, and Shaky Knees and supported larger acts like Milky Chance and Coin on tour. Momentum continues to build as Trifilio leads Beach Bunny’s emotional and empowering brand of indie pop rock into the future.
The Enduring Appeal of “Prom Queen”
Though Beach Bunny has grown immensely as a project over the past few years, “Prom Queen” remains their most recognizable track. Fans still eagerly sing along when the band performs it live.
Certain elements of the song have made it particularly enduring:
- Relatable lyrics – Trifilio captured such specific yet universal adolescent emotions that listeners continue to identify with.
- Catchy melody – The song’s hook is immediately memorable and melds seamlessly with the lyrical message.
- Viral potential – As an emotive pop track, it translates readily to platforms like TikTok or Snapchat which has extended its reach.
- Nostalgia – For many listeners “Prom Queen” transports them back to their own teenage years, activating a powerful sense of nostalgia.
These factors combined explain how “Prom Queen” remains Beach Bunny’s biggest hit years later. While their sound matures and evolves, this breakout song encapsulates a pivotal moment of musical resonance.
Conclusion
Beach Bunny’s “Prom Queen” offered the perfect vehicle for Lili Trifilio’s talents as a singer-songwriter to shine through. The track was borne out of her own adolescence, channeling universal feelings of insecurity and unrequited romance. Trifilio’s candor and gift for pop melody made “Prom Queen” an unexpected viral sensation.
Though Beach Bunny has grown tremendously as a band since its release, “Prom Queen” will always be a touchstone in their career. It represents Trifilio finding her voice and sharing her experiences through music. This intimate emotional expression is what continues to draw listeners in, making “Prom Queen” a contemporary indie pop classic.
