The Ultimate Guide To 'Strawberry Champagne' Lyrics: Dept's Lo-Fi Hit Vs. Bruno Mars' Luxury Anthem
The phrase "Strawberry Champagne" is a potent lyrical entity in modern music, carrying two distinct and equally compelling meanings depending on the artist. As of December 2025, the search for "lyrics to strawberry champagne" primarily points to a fresh, melancholic lo-fi track by the South Korean producer Dept, but it also strongly evokes one of the most memorable lines from a global R&B smash hit by Bruno Mars.
This deep dive will fully unpack the lyrics, the artists, and the contrasting thematic worlds of the two songs that have made this luxurious-sounding phrase a staple in today's musical landscape. We'll explore the bittersweet introspection of Dept's 2024 release and the unapologetic opulence of the Bruno Mars anthem.
The Bittersweet World of Dept's "Strawberry Champagne" (2024)
The lo-fi/K-Pop producer Dept is known for creating dreamy, chill-hop soundscapes that often feature collaborations with various vocalists, and "Strawberry Champagne" is a perfect example of his signature style. Released on May 12, 2024, the song features the talents of clam and Sonny Zero, crafting a track that is both soothing and profoundly introspective.
The Artists and Production Behind the Track
- Main Artist: Dept (South Korean lo-fi/K-Pop producer)
- Featured Vocalists/Writers: clam, Sonny Zero
- Release Date: May 12, 2024
- Genre: Lo-fi, K-Indie, R&B/Soul
- Key Collaborators: clam (Drums, Synthesiser, Strings, Programming, Double Bass) and Sonny Zero (Vocals, Drums) are central to the song's composition.
Dept's discography consistently explores themes of subtle melancholy, introspection, and the quiet moments of daily life, and "Strawberry Champagne" is no exception. The production is characterized by smooth, laid-back beats, atmospheric synths, and a gentle rhythm that makes it a perfect addition to any "study" or "chill" playlist.
Full Lyrics and Thematic Analysis of Dept's Song
The lyrics for Dept's "Strawberry Champagne" delve into a feeling of existential doubt and the search for comfort in a complex world. The title itself acts as a metaphor—a taste that is sweet and celebratory, yet perhaps fleeting or even artificial compared to the "taste of life."
Verse 1 (Sonny Zero)
There's a piece of me sometimes
Don't know if I'm alright (alright)
But I guess that's just the life
I don't need to try
Cause I'm used to this feeling
I'm used to this feeling
Oh, I'm used to this feeling
I'm used to this feeling
This opening sets a deeply relatable, self-reflective tone. The repetition of "I'm used to this feeling" highlights a resigned acceptance of a state of not being "alright," a core theme in lo-fi and indie music that resonates with a younger, often anxious audience.
Chorus (clam)
Strawberry champagne, that's not the taste of life
Bittersweet "maybe"s these days taste like red wine
You are the sweetness I crave
But you melt just like snow in the rain
Strawberry champagne, that's not the taste of life
Bittersweet "maybe"s these days taste like red wine
You are the sweetness I crave
But you melt just like snow in the rain
The chorus is the lyrical heart of the song. The "Strawberry Champagne" metaphor contrasts a superficial, celebratory sweetness with the reality of life, which is described as tasting like "bittersweet 'maybe's" or "red wine." The sweetness the singer craves—likely a person or a pure form of happiness—is transient, melting away like "snow in the rain." This juxtaposition of luxury and melancholy is what gives the song its unique emotional depth, making it a powerful piece of K-Indie introspection.
The Iconic Pop Culture Reference: Bruno Mars' "That's What I Like"
While Dept's song is a full exploration of the phrase, for many, the words "Strawberry Champagne" are instantly recognizable from the 2017 global smash hit, "That's What I Like," by Bruno Mars. This song, off his Grammy-winning album *24K Magic*, is the complete thematic opposite of Dept's track: it's an anthem of pure, unadulterated luxury, romance, and hedonism.
The Context of the Line
The line appears prominently in the chorus, delivered with Bruno Mars' signature funk and R&B swagger:
Gold jewelry shining so bright
Strawberry champagne on ice
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
In this context, the phrase is not a metaphor for bittersweet feelings but a literal symbol of an extravagant, high-roller lifestyle. It's part of a list of desirable, premium items that the singer is offering to his partner: "Sex by the fire at night," "Jump in the Cadillac," "A bottle of Moët."
Bruno Mars' Thematic Entities
The use of "Strawberry Champagne on ice" is a key element of the entire *24K Magic* era, which is steeped in 90s R&B and Funk influences. The line is meant to evoke:
- Opulence and Luxury: The combination with "Gold jewelry" and "Cadillac" solidifies the theme of a lavish, no-expense-spared romantic evening.
- R&B/Funk Nostalgia: The entire album is a throwback to a time of flashy, feel-good music, where such extravagant imagery was commonplace.
- Pure Celebration: Unlike Dept's song, there is no underlying sadness; the phrase is a pure expression of joy, romance, and material pleasure.
The Two Meanings: A Study in Contrast
The duality of the "Strawberry Champagne" lyric highlights a fascinating split in contemporary music culture. Both songs use the same core image—a sweet, pink, bubbly alcoholic beverage—but twist its meaning to fit their respective genres and emotional intentions.
Dept's usage is metaphorical and introspective. The champagne is a symbol of superficial happiness that fails to mask the underlying sadness or confusion of life. It’s a moment of clarity where the singer realizes the taste of true life is far more complex and challenging than a celebratory drink. This aligns perfectly with the chill, often melancholic nature of lo-fi music, which favors emotional honesty over high-energy spectacle.
Bruno Mars' usage is literal and aspirational. The champagne is a concrete item of luxury, a component of the perfect, indulgent night out. It is a symbol of success, wealth, and the ability to spoil a loved one. This fits the celebratory, high-production aesthetic of mainstream R&B and pop music, where escapism and fantasy are often the primary goals.
Topical Authority and Related Entities
To fully understand the cultural weight of this phrase, it's important to recognize the musical ecosystems each song belongs to. Dept is a key figure in the rise of K-Indie and lo-fi R&B, a subgenre that is heavily streamed globally for study and relaxation. His collaborations with artists like clam, Sonny Zero, and others (such as SUDI on production) have established a distinct, mellow sound.
Conversely, Bruno Mars is a global superstar whose work, particularly on the *24K Magic* album, cemented his status as a modern master of Pop-Funk and R&B. His song "That's What I Like" became a massive hit, defining a moment in pop culture and further popularizing the lyrical trope of listing luxurious desires.
Whether you are seeking the contemplative calm of a lo-fi track or the high-energy luxury of a pop anthem, the "lyrics to strawberry champagne" offer a rich, dualistic experience in modern music. It's a testament to how a simple phrase can be reinterpreted to capture two entirely different emotional truths.
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