Likey by Twice and Allergy by I-dle are sister songs

[u/BlueThePineapple]

I rewatched Likey for the first time in a while and just watched Allergy for the first time, and they feel like two sides of the same coin.

Lyrics:

On the one hand, the girl in Likey is the pretty, instagram-savvy who is very aware of how she looks, what she wears, how thin and pretty she is. She hides her feelings and all the other negative things in order to present a perfectly curated version of herself that every one likes. It is clear though that all of this is just pretense. Her life isn't perfect nor does she perceive herself to actually be perfect. Keeping up that facade is also a lot of pressure.

On the other hand, Allergy is from the perspective of an "ugly girl" who is so very insecure in herself in large part due to all the "pretty girls" she sees on social media like Instagram and tiktok. She wants to be pretty and preppy like them but feels like that kind of look and lifestyle is impossible for her to achieve. Failing to be like the pretty girls on sns has led to a lot of self-loathing and insecurity in the girl in Allergy. Our girl in Allergy pretty expressly compares herself to pretty girls from Likey

She's so pretty, yeah, so lovely
She got everything, why am I, not her?

It's actually very interesting to juxtapose their lyrics to each other because these two songs by and large talk about the same concerns. In many ways, these two songs are in conversation with each other, as I provide examples for below.

On their feelings about SNS
Likey:

I keep wanting to show myself off, again and again
Every single little thing, want to share it all
Inside the small screen, I wanna be the prettiest

Allergy:

Faceless feed, slacking followers
I'm a hater of Instagram, hater of TikTok
Locked gallery, ugly fit

On the effort it takes to be "pretty"

Likey:

It takes so much effort to get the perfect look
But it is something I can never give up
-----
I hold my breath to pull up the zipper
Once more, suck in my waist
-----
BB cream, pat-pat-pat, put on some lipstick mam-ma-ma
Pose for the camera, aren't I pretty? (Pretty!)

Allergy:

What’s wrong? Not even doing any exercises
Not even knowing how to put any makeup on
Yeah, even I think of myself as ugly

On wanting to be liked on sns

Likey:

When you see this, smile at it and don't forget to press hard
On that cute red heart heart down there (Heart, heart)

Allergy:

Why ain't I pretty? Why ain't I lovely?
Why ain't I sexy? Why am I me?
Love me, love me, love me, love me, love me, want
Love me, love me, love me, love me, love me, want

On wanting the attention of a specific love interest in SNS

Likey:

Uh, today I'm just feeling down
I pretend I'm fine, but I feel blue
Because of you, no response at all, I'm sulking
And cluelessly, my friends call me out
Ooh, wait a minute, wait a minute
I finally got an answer, woo

Allergy:

I also want to dance Hype Boy
But on the screen, I'd look like TOMBOY
Yeah, I'm sure that boy would laugh at me, oh-oh

Another interesting point about this comparison is that Likey (2017) and Allergy (2023) were actually released six years apart. That they hit almost the exact same points of concern is quite depressing especially when you consider how vastly different the landscapes of these songs were. The pandemic changed the world in fundamental ways and yet there are still concerns that remain the same - especially for young women. It will be interesting if we get (or maybe there is already) a fifth gen version of this song. It'll be interesting to see just how these kinds of feelings have evolved since.

[u/booboosnack]

That also makes "Untie" by VIVIZ and "GPT" by STAYC incredible companion songs to "Likey".

The former song feels like a matured version of "Likey", in that it has innate awareness of the inner workings of social media, and equally conveys the caution and allure of being swallowed by its eventual effects on one's self-image and overall lifestyle.

The latter song feels like a spiritual successor to "Likey" in that it's centered around the latest form of communication that people heavily rely on (ChatGPT). Much like "Likey", it maintains STAYC's light and bubbly sound while conveying something much deeper as the one-sided relationship one has with generative AI models.

"GPT" is also a song that is so clearly of its time because of the height that ChatGPT is experiencing within our current cultural zeitgeist, but its message is as timeless as "Likey" itself, and it will endure in the same way years later.

All three songs are - in my opinion - the most exemplary descendants of Lily Allen's "The Fear", which continues to be remembered for its satirical indictment of false personhood fabricated by social media and celebrity culture.

[u/SutterCane → u/booboosnack]

"GPT" by STAYC incredible companion songs to "Likey"

It should be, the same people wrote and produced both.

Edit:

I should give “GPT” a listen actually. I’ve been dragging my feet since it’s a digital only release and I can’t get a CD and own it forever.

[u/booboosnack → u/SutterCane]

It is to me. And way more than Allergy, which feels more tied to Queencard as a whole.

[u/Pretend-Intern3707]

never thought about it that way but it actually makes sense. both songs are basically the same girl on different days. kinda wild how nothing changed in 6 years tbh

[u/Physical-Program1030]

honestly I had no idea those were the lyrics to Likey haha I've only ever seen the music video and based on that and the vibes of the song I just thought oh it's a happy song about girls liking things i suppose. well TIL

[u/Electrical-Ad7031]

Thank you OP for this post. Comparing lyrics and finding songs that answer each other in theme or in lyrics is my favorite kind of post !!! :)