As one of those rare music teachers who doesn’t yet hate music, I’m kind of into analyzing some songs. Very little of that material would count towards my graduate credits, sadly. I’ll be doing a recurring series here called “Now Hear This”. Here’s #1, a little summer earworm. You’re welcome.
First, a head’s up: this video and song are not exactly suitable for younger children. Neither is anything else on this blog, because of slightly colorful language and the revealing too many secrets. The song uses a little language, some visual Katy Perry tributes. Just a warning, in case you’re not into that kind of thing. Or if you are.
By the time this post is published, this song will be close to three months old and therefore, Jurassic news. But we haven’t had a good Fat Chick Anthem in a while. And we fat chicks need all the anthems we can get. In the footsteps of other self-esteem songs, like “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilara and “Video” by India Arie, we have here a celebration of one’s own body and self-image. If you have never played “Video” for your daughters, do it today. And sons. The song was released on June 2, 2014. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 list on July 26, 2014 and has been doing quite well since, peaking at #4. The video is adorable, and to me seems reminiscent of the cover of Dionne Warwick’s”Wishin’ and Hopin’ that opened the film “My Best Friend’s Wedding”, in 1997. Remember that? Here you go.
Side note about “Wishin’ and Hopin”: In its original 1963 form, the song sweetly told us to “Wear your hair just for him”, and other submissive pre-feminist garbage. Remember this song now? I have no idea how that was to be interpreted in 1963. However, the fact that the covering artist in the ’97 version is Ani DiFranco, in all her feminist-icon and therefore beautifully ironic glory, makes this version a self-esteem anthem as well. And fun video to watch.
“All About That Bass” is one of those self-esteem anthems too; As Trainor states, “Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top.” But in its sassy and slightly sexualized style, it’s also kind of a polished-satin version of “Baby Got Back”. It’s not just a call to adopt a good self-image, but a celebration of larger-figured women’s attractiveness. (Do you like how respectably I phrased “I like big butts and I cannot lie”?) Trainor’s lyrics include the line “I’m bringin’ booty back/Go ahead and tell them skinny bitches that/No I’m just playing I know you think you’re fat..” This is my favorite line. Trainor has been accused of skinny-shaming for these lyrics. Did you know there was such a thing? While Anything-Shaming is not ok, look at any other type of media and ask me what’s perceived as better, size 2 or size 20? However, if women do it, it makes it that much more ok for men to do it. So ladies, let’s not do it. It’s still my favorite line.
And speaking of dudes (soapbox warning), I would publicly admit to loving this song forever if Trainor could have conveyed the big-IS-beautiful message without relating it back to male approval. “My mamma she told me don’t worry about your size/She says boys like a little more booty to hold at night” is not a constructive lyric here. Granted, I doubt she was trying to write a totally politically correct message that goes easily from Vevo to Health Class. But we’d like to hear that she is healthy, happy, and successful, without her needing to validate her worth by referencing the fact that many (smart) men find women with curvier figures more… attractive.
Of course she’s 100% CORRECT in that, so whatever.
Here’s the video. Comment below and tell me how much you love the big, preppy guy. I needed him as a best friend in high school so bad.
I told you it’s a total earworm. You’re welcome.
Don’t forget that the original singer of “Wishin’ and Hopin'” was Dusty Springfield, who was lesbian. Add that to the irony.
I didn’t know Dusty was A) the original singer or B) a lesbian. That definitely ups the sweet, sweet irony! THANK YOU! 🙂
Are they singing my favorite line? Cause I think that would go over real well at school.
It’s still slightly awesome though.