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Notes

Babydoll was the first time Grace featured another artist. "So we are writing, writing, writing. The second verse kind of sucks, but sometimes it’s good to keep it moving. And then I re-visited the song because – it can’t be released with this second verse. I write it again, and honestly, this one might be worse. I have never done a feature before – and then I was like – holy shit, it’s a feature! Aliyah’s Interlude was the first person that popped into my mind. I have been a fan of hers for a while, and I just felt the song was so her." (Interview with Zach Sang April 2025) "I reached out and played 'Babydoll,' and the rest is history." (Interview with The Fader Feb 28th, 2025).

In an interview with Nylon Magazine in March 2025, Grace explained that “Babydoll” was one of the last songs we wrote for the album, and we were just having fun at that point. I wrote it with Tiffany Stringer, who is a friend of mine. We couldn't get the second verse, and I knew it had to be a feature. Aliyah was my first choice because I've been a fan of hers forever, and I felt like the song was so her. We reached out, she said she was interested, and she sent back the verse. I was like, "This is amazing. Please, please, please."

In an interview with Chris Cantada, AKA Cantadaforce, on his "Once and Always a Fanboy" podcast, Grace explained: "... we liked the name “Baby Doll”, so we worked backwards from there. And I had this idea: we should write about the girl you turn into when you've had a few too many drinks. So it turned out as this theme song for this alter-ego who doesn't like “no” and gets what she wants and thinks she is the queen of the world."

The song "is all about being in your diva era, and for me, it’s my new pop anthem!" (interview with Papermag Feb 28th, 2025). It is about "acting bratty, going out, wanting everything, and being a diva. … Tiffany Stringer and I had the idea to write a song from our alter ego's perspective. We named mine Baby Doll: who doesn’t like to be told no." (Interview with The Fader Feb 28th, 2025)
"Effectively, this personality comes out when I’m drunk, and her name is 'Babydoll'" (Grace quoted in a profile on one of the venues on her Childstar Tour>

It was not originally the plan to shoot the music video in New York. "We were supposed to shoot this in LA with a completely different treatment.After some development, it made sense to just get together with Aliyah in New York and shoot this with the intention of feeling a little bit more carefree." (Interview with Papermag)

When Grace promoted the song on her Facebook page, she wrote "...this song was so much fun to write and create and film. Everyone has always been like you only sing sad songs. WELL, HI, I MADE MY FIRST HAPPY FUN SONG!!" . Grace had previously (in 2019) written a song about people (presumably her then label) wanting her to write ("Happy Songs")

In an IG live in March 2025, Grace said that she “wasn’t sure how people were going to take it [the song], to say the least. But I’m happy with it.”

Reception
The music and arts site "Glassefactory" wrote: "CHILDSTAR contains the perfect tracks to move you in more ways than one. A great example of this is “Babydoll Feat. Aliyah’s Interlude,” which throws us back to the early 2000’s party hit sounds. The song starts out with a mellow synth and bright vocals, then dives into a chorus that’s stuck in your head after one listen. The line “Imma do just what I want to” hits with the energy that seems to transport you straight to a sweaty basement house party, dancing with childhood friends. With her rap verse, Aliyah’s Interlude adds a refreshing shift that ties the track together while blending its diverse genre influences. (Glassefactory April 22, 2025)

Teen Vogue called the song "Pure, playful, unabashed pop girl form". PAPER Magazine wrote "VanderWaal has grown into a fearless, self-assured artist, shedding the wide-eyed innocence of her early music and stepping into a sound that feels entirely her own."



Performances

2025.05.04 Lincoln Hall Childstar Tour
2025.05.07 The Great Hall Childstar Tour Not from the beginning 1:57 of song
2025.05.09 Atlantis Childstar Tour
2025.05.10 Racket Childstar Tour
2025.05.18 The Roxy Childstar Tour Shot from front of stage right
2025.05.21 Brick & Mortar Childstar Tour 52 seconds

Reviews, Reactions etc.

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Releases

Release Date Record Type Track
2025-02-28BabydollSingle1
2025-04-04Child StarLP6
2025-05-15Tiny Vinyl Vinyl Single1

Lyrics

"[Verse 1: Grace VanderWaal]
Stealing mom's car from the driveway for the weekend
Took another hit from your dab pen, think I feel it
Baby doll's out for the night, yeah, for a real good time

[Pre-Chorus: Grace VanderWaal]
Oh
I'll give up my control
But only if you kiss me slow
When your fingertips start getting low
Go ahead, take me high, take me low

[Chorus: Grace VanderWaal]
I'ma do just what I want to
I want what I want and I want you (Uh)
Burn the place down if I have to
Throw a tantrum like a baby doll
I'ma just do what I want to
When you make me work, it just makes it better (Uh)
Burn the place down if I have to
Throw a tantrum like a baby doll

[Post-Chorus: Grace VanderWaal]
Just look at me, saying no would be a tragedy
Just look at me, saying no would be a tragedy

[Verse 2: Aliyah's Interlude]
Winding roads, friends and foеs
Back when we didn't have to posе
Used to spark up blunts just for fun then
Now we do it just to keep us sane
I'll be your baby doll then and forever
Do what I want, I'll think about it later
Ain't nowhere where I could feel safer (Safer, safer, safer)
Yeah, don't give a fuck, it's either you or it's us
High heels on and I keep my titties up
Short skirt, crop top, dressed like a doll
Why have one when I could have 'em all?
Yeah, I know you never met a bad bitch like me
So let me tell you somethin' about girls this tea
I'm nice and I'm sweet, but don't you try it
I'm a baby doll, it's no denying

[Chorus: Grace VanderWaal]
I'ma do just what I want to
I want what I want and I want you (Uh)
Burn the place down if I have to
Throw a tantrum like a baby doll
I'ma just do what I want to
When you make me work, it just makes it better (Uh)
Burn the place down if I have to
Throw a tantrum like a baby doll

[Post-Chorus: Grace VanderWaal]
Just look at me, saying no would be a tragedy
Just look at me, saying no would be a tragedy

[Outro: Grace VanderWaal]
I want what I want and do what I have to
(Just look at me, saying no would be a tragedy)
Your baby doll, love to be bad news
(Just look at me, saying no would be a tragedy)
I want what I want and do what I have to
(Just look at me, saying no would be a tragedy)
Your baby doll, love to be bad news
(Just look at me, saying—)"

Covers and Remixes

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