Sweeties!
We're all fabulous. And nothing gets us into a better mood
than some catchy little pop song that gets stuck in your head, right? Well as
of late I've heard some very negative things about some catchy little songs
that I like and feel like I need to defend them almost.
Now I know my song selection goes from "Hey listen to
this!" to "Please don't judge me" but they make me happy. And
ultimately that's all the matters. However when other people comment on
something it does get my mind going. Other's opinions matter to me (to an
extent) but I am in no way going to completely change my opinion. I like to
keep an open mind and be able to understand other people's viewpoints.
This came in very handy when the other day I was driving my
car with some friends when "All About That Bass" comes on the radio.
Alora, my friend, loves this song and enjoys jamming out to it commented on how
she loves this song. Now imagine my shock when my two other friends tell her
she 'couldn't like this song.'
"Excuse you?" I reply,
turning down the radio.
"This song is for big girls
and she's so tiny!" one replied. This is true. Alora is tiny. She fits
into smalls and petite clothing. She could pretty much wear anything she wants
and rock it flawlessly. Out of the corner of my eye I saw her shift
uncomfortably.
"And?" I said looking at
them in the rearview mirror, "It's a song about loving your body. She just
said 'Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top.' She is perfect
and you are perfect. There shall be no more body hatred in Bruce (my car’s name
is Bruce) anymore.”
Honestly I was really shocked that I had to pull the
maternal role amongst my friends and tell them something they should already
know. So I feel like going through the song and explaining what the lyrics mean
to me. (Of course; I can not speak for Meghan Trainer or her song writers.
These are my opinions and interpretations. If you do not agree with them; I do
encourage you to comment but please do so civilly. Statements that are meant to
be rude or mean will not be tolerated in my car or on my blog.)
"Yeah it's pretty clear, I ain't no size two But I can shake it,
shake it like I'm supposed to do 'Cause I got that
boom boom that all the boys chase All the right junk in
all the right places"
Not one of my favorite lines and here's why; you don't need
any 'boom boom' for the boys to chase. If a boy is only after you for 'all the
right junk in all the right places' then he is not the boy for you. And how are
you supposed to ‘shake it’? Are we shaking it like a Polaroid picture? Or
shaking it off? I’m assuming it’s hip
shaking since that is what I catch myself doing whenever I listen to this song.
Either way, to me, Meghan Trainer is saying “I’m a big girl but that’s not
gonna stop me from having fun or doing what I want.” Which is awesome, kudos!"I see the magazines working that PhotoshopWe know that shit ain't real Come on now, make it stop If you got beauty beauty just raise 'em up 'Cause every inch of you is perfect From the bottom to the top"
Thank you Meghan. We do know that shit ain't real and it
does need to stop. And we are all perfect from the bottom to the top. Every
inch, every cell, every atom, every proton. Perfection.
"Yeah, my momma she told me don't worry about your sizeShe says, boys they like a little more booty to hold at night"
At first I’m like ‘Way to go momma!’ I really want to be a mom like this. I want my future daughter to never have to worry about her body, as long as she is healthy. And I want to be there and promote a healthy mentality about her body. Which is crucial for her to be that fantastic human being that I know she will be. Now; I will not be telling her that boys like ‘a little more booty to hold at night’, but I understand why momma said that. To me it sounds like something a mom would say to make their child feel better. Is it the best thing to say? Probably not, in my opinion. But it is a weird, kinda twisted way of saying 'someone will love you for you'. Which if a guy/girl likes you, they likes you. Doesn't matter what your pant size or how hairy you think your arms are; the right person will love you.
"You know I won't be no stick-figure, silicone Barbie doll, So, if that's what's you're into Then go ahead and move along"
Some people say this is 'thin shaming'. And I can see that. But I always took it as "I'm not going to completely change who I am for you." To me a 'stick-figure, silicone Barbie doll' is someone who is a shell of a person. Someone who completely changes themselves to please others. Please never do this sweeties. Just be yourself.
"I'm bringing booty back Go ahead and tell them skinny bitches that No, I'm just playing I know you think you're fat, But I'm here to tell you that, Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top"
First things first; I do not approve of the 'skinny bitches' line. This is like someone saying "You’re a bitch… Haha, just kidding, you're awesome." I don't really get it when people do that. You can call me a bitch in a positive note like "Diana, you are a boss ass bitch. Way to get shit done." Don't call me a bitch in a negative way that makes me feel inferior to you which is what Meghan is saying here. Anyway; being skinny does not make you a bitch. Being a bitch makes you a bitch. Being 'big' doesn't automatically make you nice. I know big people who are angry and bitter jerks and I know skinny people who are the kindest, sweetest darlings. And vice versa. I'm big and I'm a nice person because I choose to be. I can be a bitch if I choose too. I could be a lot of things if I chose too.
Yes, this song is geared more towards 'curvy girls' and the
call to love and accept their bodies.
But that doesn't mean that girls, at any size, could not find this
inspirational. True, Meghan misses a few points and can come off as a bit mean
at times but remember these things:
1.) It is just a song. It only has an affect on your life if
you choose to let it. You can make it a negative thing or a positive thing. I
choose to praise the positive things and explain why the negatives are
negatives.
2.) Yes, we are all perfect. No, there is not one 'body
type' that is better or more prized than the others. We should be celebrating
our differences and loving the bodies that we have. Putting down other's will
not make your body better. Let's raise each other up instead of knocking each
other down.
Ultimately I think there needs to be more ‘body positivity’
songs. And this is Meghan Trainer’s take on it. Is it perfect? No. Does it help
people? I’m gonna say yeah. It’s a catchy little song that makes me want to
dance and ‘shake it like I’m supposed to do’. If you like it or find it inspirational; don’t
let anyone tell you not to think that. Sometimes we need those songs that give
us a little extra bounce in our step.
-Diana
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