Mae Stephens Breaks Free: Small Town Syndrome Captures the Ache of Outgrowing Your Roots

Mae Stephens’ Small Town Syndrome nails the suffocating feeling of living in a fishbowl community.

Mae Stephens Small Town Syndrome song cover

This track shows a different side of Mae Stephens, moving away from her earlier pop hits and diving into raw, personal territory.

Her voice is a rollercoaster of emotion, bringing to life the daily drama of small-town existence.

The music matches her restlessness—think jangling guitars and insistent drums that make you want to hit the road.

Right from the start, She pulls us into her world: “I’m hiding here behind these walls, I’m dragging out my bravest face.”

It’s like she’s letting us in on a secret, sharing the exhaustion of keeping up appearances.

When the chorus hits with “This small town syndrome’s getting me down / I hear them talking, talking so loud,” it’s hard not to feel her frustration.

Mae Stephens doesn’t hold back in describing small-town life. She touches on everything from parental pressure to the endless gossip mill.

There’s a moment where she admits, “I don’t wanna face this mess / Can I stay here in this bed?” Who hasn’t had days like that?

What makes “Small Town Syndrome” stand out is how specific it gets.

Stephens paints a vivid picture of a place where “Their eyes, like spotlights, staring me out / My stomach’s turning inside and out ’round here.” You can almost feel the stares boring into you.

Mae Stephens herself explains the song’s origins: “It’s about being in a small town and everyone knowing everyone’s business. The lyrics tell you how I was hiding behind walls, putting on a brave face while feeling the weight of gossip and judgment. The chorus reflects the struggle to find a way out of this, resonating with anyone who’s ever felt stuck and misunderstood in a close-knit community.”

This track is part of Stephens’ new EP “Securely Insecure,” which marks a shift in her musical direction.

The EP, featuring four tracks, including “Small Town Syndrome,” showcases Stephens’ songwriting chops and her ability to tackle more complex themes.

It’s a departure from her breakout hit “If We Ever Broke Up,” revealing a more introspective side to her artistry.

“Small Town Syndrome” proves Stephens isn’t just about catchy tunes; she’s got depth.

Her knack for turning personal experiences into relatable stories suggests she’s an artist with staying power.

This song isn’t just about wanting to leave your hometown; it speaks to anyone who’s ever felt judged, misunderstood, or stuck in a rut.

With its mix of indie pop vibes and an alt-rock edge, “Small Town Syndrome” carves out its own space.

It’s a bold move for Stephens, hinting at an exciting future for this young artist who clearly has more stories to tell.

Securely Insecure EP Tracklist:

Small Town Syndrome
You Don’t Remember Me
Stranger
Use Somebody

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Mae Stephens Small Town Syndrome Lyrics

Verse 1
I’m hiding here behind these walls, I’m dragging out my bravest face
You know they say home is where the heart is, I wish it wasn’t this place
‘Cause up until I was sixteen, I guess I kinda lost my way
No beauty decorum or grace, I know I made a mistake

Pre-Chorus
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
I don’t wanna face this mess
Can I stay here in this bed?

Chorus
This small town syndrome’s getting me down
I hear them talking, talking so loud
And I’m still tryna find a way out of here (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
And I can’t hide my face in the crowd
Their eyes, like spotlights, staring me out
My stomach’s turning inside and out ’round hеre
In this small town

Verse 2
I wish I could just run away, catch a ticket on the nеxt train
But what would my mother say, her little girl is going insane
What’s trouble at the sound of despair, did you hear the news yesterday?
They’re saying he did this and that, but why does it matter anyway?

Pre-Chorus
(Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh)
I don’t wanna face this mess
Can I stay here in this bed?

Chorus
‘Cause this small town syndrome’s getting me down
I hear them talking, talking so loud
And I’m still tryna find a way out of here (Ooh-ooh-ooh)
And I can’t hide my face in the crowd
Their eyes, like spotlights, staring me out
My stomach’s turning inside and out ’round here
In this small town

Bridge
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh

Chorus
This small town syndrome’s getting me down
I hear them talking, talking so loud
And I’m still tryna find a way out of here
Oh, and I can’t hide my face in the crowd
Their eyes, like spotlights, staring me out
My stomach’s turning inside and out ’round here
In this small town

Outro
In this small town
In this small town, it’s hard to find a way out
In this small town
Oh, this small town
Oh, this small town, gotta find a way out
In this small town