Why I’m Still Not “All About that Bass”
Meghan Trainor’s hit song, “All About that Bass,” isn’t quite the uplifting song we all imagine it to be.
Photo Courtesy of Arlayna Schooley
There seems to be a hidden message in the hit pop song “All About That Bass” that’ll have you second guessing your desire to sing along.
January 19, 2015
I like most of this song, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like Meghan Trainor’s hit song “All About that Bass” ends up putting others down.
I’m happy somebody’s finally paying attention to the beauty to be found in everybody. But personally, I don’t like being called a “skinny b*%#!,” even if she later asserts that she is “Just kidding!” No, I don’t think I’m fat either, thank you, Meghan. I feel attacked by someone who wears more pastels than even I, and it kinda hurts. It makes me not want to listen to that song.
You know how back in elementary we learned about bullying? And how it was still hurtful even when you said – take a guess – “just kidding!” afterwards. Yeah, it’s like that.
And will guys not like me if I don’t have a big butt?
You can’t make everybody happy with the song; somebody’s always ready to fight it. Maybe I’m one of those people. I don’t know, I just feel like her claims are unfair. Everyone knows booty is back, but that’s just a fad. It’ll fade. Just like the “I wanna be skinny” thing did. What about being valued for what’s inside?
Now, the Disney version would spread a better message. That’s treasuring personality and reminding people to not be a b*%#!. If she claims that everyone is perfect, from the bottom to the top, why doesn’t she also mention that being a good person is attractive, or something like that?
Anyway, why should the opinion of boys be so important? “It’s okay if you’re big-boned, because boys like that.” Plenty of people, including myself, suffer from valuing others’ opinion too much, but this song sounds like it’s encouraging it.
“It’s okay to be big-boned or thin, because that’s the way you were made, and people will like you anyways.” How about that bass, Meghan? Now, I’ll forgive you for calling me names, but if it happens again, somebody’s gonna be in some hot water.
Kate Moss • Feb 4, 2015 at 9:18 pm
And maybe it’s not just being able to put skinnier girls down just because you can. Has it ever occurred to anyone that maybe it wasn’t intentional to put anyone down? We should all just accept our bodies, no matter what size or shape because you are you and you’re stuck with what you’ve got – whether you like it or not. Maybe instead of focusing on a song by a pop artist that wants a hit, we should be focusing on the individuality of everyone? In the society we live in, it seems that we can’t be who we are without worrying about judgment. I’d like to believe that size doesn’t really matter. I think this song should be admired for its catchy tune and not for the meaning for each person. It can help someone with self-image problems if it can. If it can’t and you’re a “skinny b****” (just playin’), I’m sure you can find another song. Meghan Trainor isn’t at fault here. It’s all of the people who listen to it and overthink and overdramatize the lyrics. We are who we are and we should all just accept it.
Claire • Feb 3, 2015 at 9:02 pm
Nah, it ain’t just about self-love. The song certainly begins with the right idea, I won’t contest that. Thank you, Meghan Trainor, for stepping out with that unusual theme of big girls learning to love themselves.
However.
Why should plus-size ladies love themselves? Because men “like a little more booty to hold at night”. Sexually-appealing features “in all the right places”. If your size is of benefit to men, then love yourself. If men find you sexy, then you’re justified in your size. If you’re appreciated for how you satisfy, then that’s your value.
How else can a big woman feel better about herself? Why, by putting down others, of course! Those girls that born with bodies as small as yours is big! Put ’em down! Girls with anorexia? Let’s insult them, then excuse ourselves with that classic, reliable old “no, I’m just playing”. How could they possibly be hurt by my comment if I playfully take it back a beat later?
Insults are generally things that should not be tossed around lightly, especially when used against a girl–or boy, for that matter–about one’s bodily size. “Go ahead and tell them fat b****** that/No, I’m just playin’…” Doesn’t seem to work quite so well. Tearing down another to build oneself up is simply not the right way to go about strengthening one’s own self-confidence.
Does this seem like a lot of analysis for one song? Perhaps, but it’s been a song that’s on every radio, every music seller; played into every girl’s ears, preached its message to every listener. It’s good to step back every once in a while and say, “Hm, I wonder what the meaning of the current hit is teaching our youth.”
tl;dr: Trainor definitely had the night idea with this song. I applaud her stepping out of unspoken bounds with such confidence. However, the execution of such a message was just as flawed–the pandering to men’s desires and unnecessary insulting of other body types simply does not stand.
Mandy • Feb 4, 2015 at 9:19 pm
Big girls get put down all the time on a regular basis. This song is just a rare occasion where someone is prasing bigger girls and promoting and idea of self love, (for ALL girls of ALL sizes) and that’s why its getting so much controversy. Because it’s rare. The main message the song is trying to convey is about loving yourself, and the rest is being picked at piece by piece by people who are trying way to hard to get offended. People are making this song into way bigger of a deal than it needs to be.
Cara Delevingne • Feb 2, 2015 at 12:36 pm
I disagree. This song is about self-love and helping girls feel better about themselves. It’s not skinny shaming, it’s helping bigger girls that don’t feel confident about their bodies. I think that some of your points are unnecessary. All that matters is that you’re happy with your own body, which is what the song is saying.
Tyrion Lannister • Feb 3, 2015 at 4:06 pm
The thing is, putting up larger-sized people so often involves putting down skinny people. “Nobody likes pancakes” and “Guys want curves” are some of the more common arguments… But, I guess, if skinny girls feel guilty about that, it’s their own problem. As long as bigger people are happy, that’s all that matters, right? That attitude used to be reversed.
Tyrion Lannister • Feb 3, 2015 at 4:06 pm
Now you tell me, who’s right?