The song "Heroine With An E" by Harvey Danger is a commentary on the societal pressures placed on women to conform to certain standards of beauty and behavior. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist feels trapped by these expectations and is struggling to find her own identity. The first verse highlights the absurdity of some of these expectations, such as the protagonist checking her toothbrush for hairs every morning. The second verse references the pressure to be a desirable social status symbol, while the third verse describes the toll these expectations take on the protagonist's physical and mental health. The chorus is a repeated statement that the protagonist is "out of hand," suggesting that society views her as rebellious or unruly because she refuses to conform. The line "the one thing out of your hand is me, your heroine," implies that the protagonist is taking control of her own identity and refuses to be defined solely by the expectations placed on her. Overall, "Heroine With An E" is a thought-provoking critique of society's treatment of women and their struggles to find their own sense of self-worth and identity.
