CANNIBALISM AND STALKING IS NOT COOL, GUYS.

What the heck, Adam Levine? I cannot stand this song, and it is mostly from the extremely disturbing lyrics and generally sexist attitude. The thing that is most skin-crawling about this “hit” is that it contains some of the most deranged lyrics I have ever heard.  First, the chorus: “Baby, I’m preying on you tonight/ Hunt you down eat you alive,” which then leads into some more creepiness, “Yeah, you can start over, you can run free/ You can find other fish in the sea/ You can pretend it’s meant to be/ But you can’t stay away from me.” This song treats women analogous to prey being hunted for sport. It furthers the objectification of women, by saying that even if a woman attempts to start over after a poor relationship, she should expect this “other guy” to be lurking around the corner. If you disagree, I urge you to watch the music video. The idea behind this video is that Adam Levine is a butcher that becomes obsessed with a woman and proceeds to stalk her. HOW IS THIS A GOOD IDEA FOR A VIDEO?! Unfortunately, I don’t have any really strong opinions about the musical side of it. It’s somewhat overproduced like most songs in the pop genre today, but, the melody is somewhat catchy, I HATE TO ADMIT. As far as what this song suggests about the artist, and society, I think that this, sadly, reveals a still constant problem that society has about ignoring persistent messages in music about the objectification of women. Even if these songs are set to catchy beats, we shouldn’t be so quick to join in on the second chorus of “I’m preying on you tonight.” I apologize if this post comes off as preachy, but I hope that people can see where I am coming from. Let me know your thoughts! All opinions are welcome, they do not have to be the same as mine.

Post 3: Uptown Junk

The song “Uptown Funk” by Bruno Mars makes my skin crawl. Not only do I have to hear it played over and over again on the radio, but for some reason, most of my friends thinks it’s a real good time. It’s played everywhere. I will never understand how this song, or Bruno Mars for that matter, have become so famous.

Not only are the lyrics so egotistical for a man I don’t think is “too hot, hot damn” but his entire image of being a ladies man is just so hard for me to buy. He says, “I’m too hot, hot damn, say my name you know who I am.” This disgusts me; I dislike his cockiness and especially his self-proclaimed attractiveness. There are plenty of artists out there (Beyonce) who can talk the talk but also walk the walk, it doesn’t need to be done by Bruno Mars. While my reasons for disliking him may be slightly dramatic, it is something that I think becomes so internalized and irrational, it’s an instant reaction I have to his music now.

But I do take issue with the song, specifically. The jazz is overdone in this song, and I think the crescendos and tambourines are completely misused, they build energy as if the song was creating any energy. The low voice in the background reminds me of the song in Ferris Bueller’s day off: Yello’s “Oh Yeah”. That is such a famous sound that makes the low voice interesting and appealing in its hilarious, upbeat use. However, the deeper voice used in “Uptown Funk” is merely another aspect of the overdone, misused compilation of sounds that add to this cacophony. Sorry if my opinions are harsh, but there is nothing about that sound that I find original, interesting, relatable, or pleasing to my ears. I hope none of you will take offense to this, and I am sorry if you do. Perhaps there is a Bruno Mars song out there that could make me change my opinion?

The lyrical complexity of this song is so low, and I understand that may sometimes get by in the pop industry, but I don’t think this song, or Bruno Mars can get away with it. I think I have always disliked Bruno Mars because his songs are so overplayed on the radio, it irks me. To me, he just seems like a huge Michael Jackson wannabe without the talent to even come close. His song isn’t interesting to me and I wish it weren’t so popular.

Get That Bass Outta My Face

I absolutely can not stand the song “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor. It makes my blood boil. I think that my biggest problem with this song is that the lyrics are glib and hypocritical. The song has been hailed as many as one about being accepting of yourself and not being preoccupied with the “ideal” images set fourth by the media. This in itself is a good message, but the song is a cheapened, watered down, and insincere shadow of that ideal. One of the lines that gets under my skin the most is “Tell them skinny bitches hey”. It completely contradicts what the song is supposedly about. Just because someone is skinnier than you does not make it okay to call them a bitch. That being said, she does recant (somewhat) in the next line with “No, I’m just playing I know you think you’re fat”. Although she claims to be kidding it comes off as disingenuous. Also, not every “skinny bitch” thinks they’re fat, and some of them work really hard to have a strong body that just happens to be skinny. There is no need to put others down in order too make yourself feel better. Furthermore, although I approve of sending a message that you don’t have to be skinny, I don’t think it’s healthy to encourage a lack of concern for one’s health. There is a male featured in the video who appears to be severely overweight. People shouldn’t be shamed for not being a “size 2”, however, they also shouldn’t be told that being overweight is perfectly fine and nothing to be concerned about. I also can’t stand the sexualization. I know that a lot of popular songs are very sexual, but you should be happy with the way you are for yourself, not because “boys like a little more booty to hold at night”. Making self acceptance about pleasing the opposite sex debases women and cheapens the sentiment. I also can’t stand the repetitive chorus. I know that choruses are repeated throughout songs, but hers is just a repetition of the same phrase five times with a couple other words sprinkled in here and there. The song is severely lacking in substance. Ironically…the song contains a lot of treble. Hypocrite. 

Blog Post 3, Trap Queen

“Trap Queen” by Fetty Wap is one of my least favorite song of all time, which is saying something because I has come out recently. I absolutely hate this so called artist more than any popular rapper right now, but I chose this song because it is the most easily recognized. I guess I do not really have an issue with the meat or melody of the song, my skin crawls when I first hear him sing. Fetty Wap’s voice in this song makes me feel like I am going to go insane if I do not turn it off immediately. Whenever it comes on the radio, or I hear someone else playing the song, it is like torture to my ears. The lyrics are complete nonsense as well. Granted many rap songs have very unintelligent lyrics, but “Trap Queen” is up there with some of the worst I have heard.

It’s big zoo wap from the bando, without dinero can’t go

Remy boys got the stamp, count up hella them bands though

How far can your bands go?

Fetty Wap I’m living fifty thousand K how I stand though

From some of the other lyrics it seems like Fetty is going to steal cars and jewelry for a women as well. In my opinion listening to a song should be enjoyable. Crazy idea I know. Even if his voice did not sound like someone’s nail on a chalk board, this sound would still be horrendous because of the lyrics. I think the lyrics and message behind a song are what is most important to music. Every time this song comes on I feel as if I may have lost a few IQ points. I really hope Fetty Wap does not stay famous for long. I know this is pretty harsh but it is my opinion on the song and artist.

Yo, Taylor…

I can’t stand Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space”. Taylor Swift has strayed away from her country roots and has turned into a pop star. As a country fan, I’m displeased. The recognizable introduction of instrumentals right before Swift begins to sing makes me immediately change the radio station because it was so overplayed.

As displayed in the music video, Swift sings about her ex-boyfriends and how they abused her trust, basically deeming them players. She sings “cause you know I love the players and you love the game”. She goes on to warn this new guy about her past and that this new relationship is “gonna be forever or it’s gonna go down in flames”; moreover, he will be the next one to be added to her “long list of ex-lovers”.

The lyrics “got a long list of ex-lovers” sound as if Swift is signing “all the lonely Starbucks lovers”. Research has been done to explain the psychology behind the misinterpretation; the studies showed that one’s brain is so powerful that essentially one can alter what he or she is hearing.

As seen in the music video, “Blank Space” is quite aggressive. Although the beginning is happy and romantic, the song switches moods completely. Taylor Swift is seen screaming, yelling, and throwing objects. In my opinion Taylor Swift is a little over-dramatic and acts like a crazy person.

Taylor Swift is an empowering role model to many young girls, but “Blank Space” portrays women as insane when going through a break-up; this is exemplified in the lyrics “cause darling I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream”. No doubt, other Taylor Swift songs, such as “Shake It Off”, remind one to be true to his or herself.

“Blank Space” received many great reviews and was a huge hit for many of Swift’s fans, but not for me.

This is one song I just can’t stand because… (Blog Entry 3)

Get ready for your third post! You’ve got the idea with blogging now. Don’t hold back… tell us about “this song I just can’t stand because…”

As we learn more about our our brains react to music, you’ll find out more behind the technical elements of what makes music pleasing or not. Pitch, tempo, loudness, and timbre (which sounds like “tambor”) are all key factors, among others. Yet, mysteriously, there is no single song that we can ALL agree is a good song, and the same goes for a bad song. Our preferences are highly subjective.

This is what I’d like you to attempt to unpack. Sure, we all have favorites, but what can’t you stand? What makes you change the channel, and why? Try to be as specific as possible: what is it that makes your skin crawl when you hear this song? What associations do you have to this song, and what does your strong dislike suggest about this song, the artist, society, and you as a person?

Be sure to leave three comments on your peers’ posts as well. It will be interesting to see if you disagree– perhaps someone can’t stand something that’s one of your favorites!

[The song I’d pick for this prompt, by the way, is Eiffel 65’s “Blue.” I heard it constantly while studying abroad in Germany when I was younger, and then it hit in the US right when I got home, so I got a double dose of its popularity. My eardrums still haven’t forgiven me.]