Dave Malloy
So Smart
GRACE:
THERE’S AN AWFUL LOT OF SONGS ABOUT FREAKS
AND I’M SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW I SHOULD CELEBRATE MY FREAKDOM

I AM THE SMARTEST GIRL IN MY CLASS
EXCUSE ME THE SMARTEST PERSON IN MY CLASS
AND I’M SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT THAT IS ARROGANT AND CHILDISH
TO SAY

SO SMART
SO SMART
WHOA

BUT WHAT GOOD IS CALCULUS
WITH SOCIAL PARALYSIS

IF I’M SO SMART
WHY CAN’T I FIGURE OUT
HOW TO MAKE PEOPLE LIKE ME
IT’S NOT AS THOUGH THEY BULLY ME
MY LUNCH MONEY IS FINE
IT’S JUST LITTLE THINGS
A COMMENT OR A STARE
WHY DO I CARE
WHOA
IF I’M SO SMART
WHY DO THEIR LITTLE WORDS STING

IF I’M SO SMART
WHY DON’T I KNOW EVERYTHING

LIKE HOW TO BE PATIENT AND EASY
COMFORTABLE AND LIGHT
AROUND PEOPLE THAT ARE MEAN TO ME
WHY CAN’T I FIGURE OUT HOW TO BE LOVED

I THINK I’D BE HAPPIER AND WISER IF I WERE DUMB
LIKE THE BOYS RIDING SKATEBOARDS IN THE PARKING LOT CUTTING SCHOOL

RACING AND SCREAMING AND SHOUTING LIKE HOLY FOOLS
SO DUMB SO DUMB

SO FANTASTIC TO NOT KNOW ANYTHING AND JUST HAVE FUN
GOD WHO KNEW THAT NERDS COULD BE SUCH ASSHOLES
I’M A BASKETCASE
I’M A FREAK
WHOA

AND I THINK THAT NOW I’LL PUT MY PENCIL DOWN
I’M FINISHED WITH MY TEST AND I’M READY TO BE DISMISSED
I’M SO GOOD AND SO PATIENT
EXCUSE ME SO GOOD AND SO FUCKING PATIENT

AND I KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS BUT I DON’T DARE RAISE MY HAND

SO SMART
SO SMART
WHOA

I’VE ACED AP EUROPEAN HISTORY
BUT RELATIONSHIPS REMAIN A MYSTERY

AND I’M SO SMART WHY AM I STANDING HERE
AT A HIGH SCHOOL DANCE

I’M DONE WITH SLUGS AND SHACKLES
I WANT TO BE LET FREE
I KNOW THAT THE REAL WORLD WILL BE BETTER
I’M SO OVER THIS

I CAN’T BELIEVE I’LL EVER BE SMARTER THAN THIS
PLEASE GOD LET ME BE SMARTER THAN THIS

BECAUSE IF I’M SO SMART
WHY CAN’T I BE HAPPY HERE ALONE
IF I’M SO SMART
WHY AM I CHECKING MY PHONE
AWKWARD EMBARRASSED AND ANXIOUS
CONFUSED AND SHY
IT’S THE ONE THING I DON’T UNDERSTAND
WHY CAN’T I FIGURE OUT HOW TO BE LOVED

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE SONGS REALLY MEAN
I WANT TO GO DEEP
THOUGH IT’S UNFATHOMABLE TO ME THAT I COULD EVER FEEL DEEPER THAN THIS

MY HEART AND MY BRAIN BOTH EXPLODE WHEN I THINK OF A KISS

ONE KISS SUCH BLISS
AND I’M SO CLUELESS
WHEN IT COMES TO ANYTHING THAT MATTERS
GOD WHO KNEW THAT NERDS COULD BE SO DUMB

I’M A BASKETCASE
I’M A FREAK
WHOA
WHOA