I think he's just saying in the song that people (producers) didn't want to sign him if he kept his style ("why don't you like me?"). In order to please them ("to be put on your shelf"), he should have tried to impersonate other stars (Grace Kelly style, Freddie style) but in the end, he would have lost his own identity and musical integrity ("I've gone identity mad").
That's how I understand that song (Mika himself says that he puts a lot of his life and opinions in his songs)
Elizabeth Knightson wrote: I think he's just saying in the song that people (producers) didn't want to sign him if he kept his style ("why don't you like me?"). In order to please them ("to be put on your shelf"), he should have tried to impersonate other stars (Grace Kelly style, Freddie style) but in the end, he would have lost his own identity and musical integrity ("I've gone identity mad").
That's how I understand that song (Mika himself says that he puts a lot of his life and opinions in his songs)
You are totally right about it, Mika siad something similiar like this himself. It was said by the artist in an interview on Dutch telly. I really love the song; "Relax" from Mika. I am going to buy his album, it's really over the top but not as much as the scissor sisters so that's perfect I think.