
Dorian Electra Fridkin Gomberg is an American singer and songwriter known for their non-conforming fashion, queer aesthetics, and experimental pop sound. Their debut studio album, Flamboyant, was released in 2019, followed by their second album, My Agenda, in 2020, and their third, Fanfare, in 2023. What Mary Didn't Know is a song by Dorian Electra and The Electrodes, released in 2014, and is described as Pop/Philosophy. The song's lyrics explore the story of a little girl, Mary, who lives in a black-and-white world and her journey of discovery as she leaves her room and opens her mind to the world of colour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Dorian Electra & The Electrodes |
| Song | What Mary Didn't Know |
| Genre | Pop/Philosophy |
| Release Date | 29 August 2014 |
| Producer | Ryan Nanni |
| Writers | Ryan Sorgatz & Dorian Electra |
| Video Director | Dorian Electra & Weston Allen |
| Album | Magical Consciousness Conference |
| Lyrics | "She was a little girl/In a black-and-white world/She didn't know, didn't know" |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Black-and-white world
"What Mary Didn't Know" is a song by Dorian Electra, released on August 29, 2014. Electra is an American singer and songwriter known for their non-conforming fashion, queer aesthetics, and experimental pop sound. Their work often explores themes of intersectional feminism and queer histories.
The song "What Mary Didn't Know" seems to be about a little girl, Mary, who lives in a "black-and-white world." Mary has never experienced color herself but believes she knows all about it from the descriptions in her books. This is suggested by the lyrics:
> "Mary'd never seen color herself
> Just read descriptions in her books on the shelf
> Thought she knew all about the ways that we see
> But was it the same for me?"
One day, Mary gains a new perspective and is shocked by what she discovers. She realizes that there might be more to sight than words can tell, as indicated by the following lyrics:
> "One day, Mary left her room behind
> Opened her eyes and opened her mind
> And she was shocked by the things that she saw
> The world of color, well, it left her in awe."
The black-and-white world that Mary inhabits could be interpreted as a metaphor for a limited or narrow perspective on life. Mary, being unaware of colors, may represent someone who has a restricted view of the world and believes that their knowledge is complete, only to discover that there is much more to learn and experience.
The song's narrative thus encourages listeners to question their assumptions and remain open to new ideas and experiences. It highlights the importance of recognizing the limitations of one's own perspective and embracing the unknown, just as Mary ultimately does when she steps out of her black-and-white world.
Setting Up Electricity for Your Yurt: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Mary's limited knowledge
"What Mary Didn't Know" is a song by Dorian Electra, an American singer and songwriter known for their non-conforming fashion, queer aesthetics, and experimental pop sound. The song was released on August 29, 2014, as the first track on the album "Magical Consciousness Conference."
The lyrics of "What Mary Didn't Know" allude to a limited perspective and knowledge on Mary's part. Mary is described as a little girl in a black-and-white world, suggesting a lack of exposure to the full spectrum of experiences and understanding of the world around her. This is further emphasized in the verses, where Mary is portrayed as someone who has only read about colors in books but has never actually seen them herself.
The song explores the idea that Mary's knowledge is confined to what she has been taught or read, and she has not had the opportunity to experience things firsthand. This is evident in the lyrics "Mary took a look inside of my head / Saw me looking at the color red / Saw how my eyes worked, how they linked to my brain / Yeah, she could see it, but, was it the same?". Mary is portrayed as curious and analytical, looking inside someone's head and trying to understand their perception of color. However, there is a question of whether her understanding is truly aligned with the reality of that person's experience.
In the bridge of the song, Mary steps out of her comfort zone and opens her mind, only to be shocked by the world of color that she never knew existed. This suggests that Mary's limited knowledge and understanding of the world were transformed when she embraced new experiences and perspectives. The chorus, "What Mary didn't know / What Mary didn't know / Didn't know, she did not know," emphasizes the extent of Mary's lack of awareness and the impact of her newfound realization.
Overall, "What Mary Didn't Know" by Dorian Electra highlights Mary's restricted knowledge and understanding of the world, particularly in terms of sensory perception and personal experience. The song invites listeners to reflect on the limitations of their own knowledge and the importance of embracing diverse perspectives and experiences to gain a fuller understanding of the world around them.
Electric Friends: Embrace the Power of Connection
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Gender non-conformity
Dorian Electra Fridkin Gomberg, also known as Dorian Electra, is an American singer and songwriter known for their non-conforming fashion, queer aesthetics, and experimental pop sound. Their music often explores themes of intersectional feminism, queer histories, and gender fluidity. In their music video series, they have delved into the "Dark History of High Heels," "2000 Years of Drag," and "The History of Vibrators", showcasing their interest in queer and feminist issues.
Electra's song "What Mary Didn't Know" was released in 2014 and touches on themes of gender non-conformity. The lyrics portray Mary as a little girl living in a "black-and-white world," suggesting a limited perspective or a lack of exposure to certain aspects of life. As the song progresses, Mary ventures beyond her familiar surroundings and experiences a world of color, suggesting a newfound awareness or a shift in perspective.
The chorus, "What Mary didn't know, she did not know," emphasizes the idea that Mary had a limited understanding of the world around her. In the verses, we learn that Mary had only read about colors in books but had never actually experienced them herself. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for someone who has a theoretical understanding of gender but has not fully grasped the complexities and variations that exist outside of societal norms.
The bridge of the song takes the narrative further, describing Mary's awe and surprise as she opens her eyes and mind to new experiences. It suggests a transformative moment where Mary realizes there is more to discover and understand beyond what she previously thought she knew. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for someone questioning or expanding their understanding of gender norms and identities.
Electra's own gender identity is an important context for understanding their music. They identify as genderfluid and use they/them pronouns. Their music often explores themes of gender fluidity and crisis in masculinity, as seen in their second studio album, "My Agenda." Electra's work challenges traditional gender norms and celebrates the diversity and fluidity of gender expression.
Electric Scooter Battery: Understanding Jet's Power Source
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Electra's queer aesthetics
Dorian Electra, the American singer and songwriter, is known for their queer aesthetics, non-conforming fashion, and experimental pop sound. They are genderfluid and use they/them pronouns.
Electra's music videos and songs focus on intersectional feminism and queer histories, collaborating with several queer artists. Their video "2000 Years of Drag" was screened at multiple queer film festivals, including The East Village Queer Film Festival, NewFest, Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest, and TWIST: Seattle Queer Film Festival.
Electra's visual world-crafting is notable for its juxtaposition of different elements, creating a unique and unexpected aesthetic. For example, their video "The Dark History of High Heels" combines shiny 80s aesthetics with the white-wigged, powdery court of Louis XIV. Similarly, their video "Ode to the Clitoris" features ancient Greek bathhouses and a devotee in a polythene room in the 90s.
Electra's analytical approach to their art is evident in their series of history lessons repackaged as pop songs. Their work explores issues of feminism, gender, and sexuality, challenging oppressive structures through parody and satire.
Electra's queer agenda is also reflected in their fashion choices, as they reclaim items like fedoras and incorporate iconic characters like the Joker and the Riddler into their style, customizing the iconography to make it their own. Their long artificially dyed green hair and winged purple coat are notable aspects of their Joker-inspired look.
High-End PC Electricity Consumption: How Much Does it Cost?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Electra's experimental pop sound
Dorian Electra Fridkin Gomberg, also known as Dorian Electra, is an American singer and songwriter. They are known for their experimental pop sound, non-conforming fashion, queer aesthetics, and gender-fluid identity. Their music often explores themes of intersectional feminism, queer histories, gender fluidity, and the corrosive effects of the "manosphere".
Electra's songs vary in style, showcasing their range as an artist. Their song "Career Boy" utilizes the piano, while "Teenage Dirtbag" has a more heartfelt tone, and "Anon" is described as bassy and powerful. Their music videos and songs often have a strong message, such as "Jackpot," which addresses gender fluidity, and "Ode to the Clitoris", which aims to desensitize people to the word and bring it into the popular consciousness.
Electra's creative process involves collaborating with various artists and drawing inspiration from diverse sources. Their breakthrough appearance on Charli XCX's track "Femmebot" helped them gain recognition and settle in LA to focus on their music. They also produced a web series under their drag king persona, 'Don Bogman'.
Overall, Dorian Electra's experimental pop sound challenges traditional genre barriers, blending mainstream pop with innovative and mischievous elements. Their music and performances push boundaries and explore a range of themes, captivating audiences with their unique style and message.
Electro House DJ: The Ultimate Guide to Get Started
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Dorian Electra Fridkin Gomberg is an American singer and songwriter known for their non-conforming fashion, queer aesthetics, and experimental pop sound. They are also known for being queer and genderfluid.
Dorian Electra released "What Mary Didn't Know" on August 29, 2014.
"What Mary Didn't Know" was written by Ryan Sorgatz and Dorian Electra, and produced by Ryan Nanni.
The song explores the idea of a little girl, Mary, who lives in a "black-and-white world" and does not know what colour is. She has only read descriptions of colour in her books and wonders if her experience of sight is the same as others.



























![Electra [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/712Jn2-aELL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Electra ( Ilektra ) [ Blu-Ray, Reg.A/B/C Import - Spain ]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61VU1FbH9xL._AC_UY218_.jpg)

