Why I'm Still All About That Bass

Meghan Trainor's All About That Bass debut single was released on June 30, 2014. Almost an entire year ago. I think it's a great song, catchy tune, and a different take on loving your body.

I'm still seeing posts, mostly old ones recirculating on Facebook, about how people are 'Not all about that Bass' or why Meghan Trainor is a crazy anti-feminist.

I've carried the same opinion around with me since I saw the first Meghan Trainor hate posts.

I decided it's time to share.

I thought I'd post the lyrics here, and then I'll elaborate.

"Because you know I'm all about that bass,
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all 'bout that bass, 'bout that bass, no treble
I'm all 'bout that bass, 'bout that bass, no treble
I'm all 'bout that bass, 'bout that bass

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
I see the magazines working that Photoshop
We 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
Yeah, my momma she told me don't worry about your size
She says, boys they like a little more booty to hold at night
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

Because you know I'm all about that bass,
'Bout that bass, no treble
I'm all 'bout that bass, 'bout that bass, no treble
I'm all 'bout that bass, 'bout that bass, no treble
I'm all 'bout that bass, 'bout that bass

I'm bringing booty back
Go ahead and tell them skinny bitches Hey
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
Yeah, my momma she told me don't worry about your size
She says, boys they like a little more booty to hold at night
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"
_______________________

Now, most of the things I've read will agree that the lyrics 'My momma she told me don't worry about your size' and 'Every inch of your is perfect from the bottom to the top' are great.

Their problem comes with the lyrics 'I won't be no stick-figure Barbie doll' and 'boys like a little more booty to hold at night'. They claim this is 'skinny shaming' and hateful.

Here's my thought... these people who are so offended by these lyrics, do you really think she's talking about you? Personally? In my oh-so-humble opinion, she's more likely talking about the uber-photoshopped (actually) half plastic people shown in magazines and other adds, who are showing us what 'real beauty' is supposed to look like. (Beauty is perfect, obviously. I'm prefect looking, aren't you??).

Do I think she's skinny shaming? No.

I think she's shaming the idea that Hollywood gives women today, that they're supposed to look a certain way and be a certain size, or aren't beautiful.

Now I want to point out one other thing, and to drive my point home, I want to share a few lyrics from some other chart toppers, from around the same time this song was popular.

"And my flow is retarded, they speak it depart it. Swagger on super, I can't shop at no department"
-Iggy Azalea/Charlie XCX, Fancy.

"Cause you know what to do with that big fat butt. Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle." - Jason Deroulo, Wiggle.

"The bigger they are, the harder they fall. These big-iddy boys are dig-gidy dogs. I have 'em in like Miley Cyrus, clothes off, twerking in their bras and thongs, timber. Face down, booty up, timber. That's the way we like to -what?-timber, I'm slicker than an oil spill. She say she won't, but I bet she will, timber" -Ke$ha/Pitbull, Timber.

"Boy toy named Troy used to live in Detroit. Big dope dealer money, he was getting some coins. Was in shootouts with the law, but he live in a palace. Bought me Alexander McQueen, he was keeping me stylish. Now that's real, real real. Gun in my purse, bitch I came dressed to kill. Who wanna go first? I had 'em pushing daffodils. I'm high as hell, I only took a half a pill. I'm on some dumb shit." - Nicki Minaj, Anaconda.

I hope you've got my point.

No?

It's okay to tell people department stores aren't good enough. They should spend all their money on designer brands or they aren't special? It's okay to call someone fat, and talk about how they have to wiggle into their jeans? It's okay to talk about how if you get a girl drunk enough, she'll sleep with you? It's okay to live with and sleep with a dangerous criminal, as long as he buys you designer brands and gets you high?

Seriously?

If you have a problem with someone saying it's okay to not look like a photoshopped model, and continue to sing along to these CHART TOPPERS at the same time, I have a problem with YOU.

Am I saying it's ever okay to skinny shame? NO!

It's not okay to shame ANYONE for the way they look.

What I am saying, however, is that I think that people choose to hear what they want in lyrics. I'm also saying that if you're overanalyzing the lyrics to this song, please feel free to pick apart a few more. I think you'll find that the music industry has a few deeper issues, than one song that you've taken offence to.

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Comments

  1. I agree!! She also never says it's bad to be a stick-figure Barbie, just that she personally won't be one, so if that's what you want, move along.

    And I just can't with the VAST majority of music if I look at it through my feminist lense. (Which is sad.)

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    1. Me either. I'm not even a hardcore feminist. I do, however, think it's your responsibility to build yourself a good life, and acting like a crazy person, drinking and sleeping around, is not the foundation for a good life.

      I change the station for so many songs it's not even funny!

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  2. Thank-you for sharing Winter! SO SO SO true, everything you said. Lyrics to some songs on the radio now are absolutely HORRID and this is why half the time I listen to the 80s or 90s channel! Not saying every song is better, but it seems like things were a little simpler back then. :)

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    1. I totally agree. I'm always on 90s on 9 if there isn't anything worth listening to on the other stations, which there never is.

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  3. Oh popular music really grinds my gears. And people who hate on stuff like that, saying it's skinny shaming just need to stop. How is that ok, but Eminem rapping about killing his wife is just fine? Sigh.

    Now I have that song in my head. ;)

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