Lyrically Speaking: navigating the depths of Joanna Sternberg hit ‘People Are Toys To You’
Joanna Sternberg wrote ‘People Are Toys To You’ in a rush, hurrying to catch the subway with their double bass in tow. Consumed by something upsetting, the words seemed to pour out naturally. While Sternberg fell in love with music at an early age, the ability to craft the essence of an entire song so quickly is undeniably impressive.
What’s even more impressive is that ‘People Are Toys To You’ is also one of Sternberg’s best songs. A standout track on their sophomore album, I’ve Got Me, it perfectly captures everything the musician is known for: raw, honest explorations of what makes us tick. In this case, the song delves into life’s more frustrating dynamics—the kind that make you want to scream or, in Sternberg’s case, write a song about it.
The song was written in a moment’s flounder, and it sounds that way, too. Although not in the way you might expect the quality of something so quickly pieced together to appear, ‘People Are Toys To You’ plays out like an easy, fun, and relatable piece of listening, compounded by a situation many of us are privy to. The initial guitar licks are fun and considered, almost like they’re prefacing an anthemic indie song. However, the lyrical content grounds the song, allowing the vulnerability in Sternberg’s words to shine through, creating a delicate balance between emotional depth and musical lightness.
“Now I know I’ve always been this way, made a list of the things you used to say,” they continue, “I know it was also my fault too, I agreed to all you put me through.” There’s a certain aura of playfulness to Sternberg’s words, the kind that says: “Silly me, I did it again—I trusted someone who shouldn’t have been trusted.” Although this panders to the track’s overall lightheartedness, it simultaneously yields more depth, as Sternberg agrees to present their soul and all the heartache it goes through without them intending it to.
In one swift motion, Sternberg then delivers a concept hinging on the toxicity of certain relationships and how, when you’re buried deep in the push-and-pull of a frustrating dynamic, it’s difficult to step back for a second and re-evaluate. “When you’re in it, you can’t see what’s going on,” they sing, “Now I see that everything was wrong.” It’s a simple way to put it, but the directness fits well with the melody while demonstrating that verbosity isn’t needed with such straightforward realisations.
This conviction comes to the fore the most within the chorus when Sternberg’s words appear slightly more cutting than the softness of the verses. They accuse the person of playing with people like toys until “you’re bored and through”. It’s cyclical and challenging to gain clarity on until you’re free from the shackles of its grip.
As someone who knows the challenges presented in personal and professional settings thoroughly, it’s the second verse that ties everything together, as Sternberg continues their scathing accusations and how this person “blamed” them for being happy, revealing that they were merely a part of a broader game plan to control and manipulate as many people as possible. “How sweet of you to call me charity,” Sternberg says, reflecting on their own contribution while concluding that, ultimately, they were disrespected in an environment they deemed safe.
‘People Are Toys To You’ reflects one of Sternberg’s best abilities: turning deeply personal emotions into universally relatable songs. There’s a hint of darkness that lingers beneath the surface, but it is coated with their signature sweetness and carried by gentle, soothing melodies that give the raw emotions a tender, almost comforting quality. In that respect, Sternberg takes the sinister aspects of life and turns them into artistic visions, proving that anything they possess within far supersedes any redeeming qualities held by the ones who treat them badly.
