"Child Star" by Joan Armatrading explores the struggles and challenges of fame at a young age. The lyrics depict a woman who was once a child star and is now in her thirties, but still stuck in the mentality and behaviors of her youth. The song begins with mentions of newspaper clippings and pictures of the woman as a child, highlighting her past fame and success. However, as she has grown older, her child star status is no longer appropriate or relevant. The repeated line "You gotta stop, stop acting like a child" emphasizes the need for her to mature and let go of her former image. The song suggests that it has been a long time since the woman was a child and she is now too old for the pampering and immaturity that came with her fame. She is still young and has a future ahead of her, hence the line "much too young to die." The lyrics also touch upon the struggles the woman faces, such as the pressure to maintain her image and the toll it takes on her mental health. The mention of a box of heavy tablets and sadness clogging up her memories suggests that she may be battling depression or emotional turmoil. Throughout the song, Joan Armatrading encourages the woman to embrace her true self and break free from the constraints of her past. The repeated references to acting and games symbolize the fake persona she has been trapped in, and the need for her to discover her authentic identity. Overall, "Child Star" serves as a commentary on the pressures and difficulties faced by those who achieve success at a young age, urging them to find their own path and not be defined solely by their past fame.
