June 25, 2013
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Act Like A Girl aka I’m Overthinking Again
Act Like A Girl aka I’m Overthinking Again
I have no problem admitting that I like Demi Lovato’s music. I think she’s a pretty good singer, not to mention very attractive. But that’s beside the point.
What is my point?
Lyrics. See, she has this new single out called “Heart Attack” which basically talks about her fear of falling in love again. She sings that if she ever did that, she’d probably have a heart attack. Yeah, cute.
Anyway, there’s one part of the song where she says “But you, make me wanna act like a girl…” and every time I hear that part it kinda bothers me. What bothers me is the implication that there’s something wrong with a girl acting like a girl. She says nothing specifically about being a tomboy or perhaps a butch lesbian. But in the context of the song, wanting to wear perfume, high heels or paint her nails is considered a bad thing. Or at least something you would only do to impress a boy.
Yeah, yeah… I’m overthinking the lyrics for sure. I KNOW that she simply means that being around this guy makes her want to do things that she doesn’t NORMALLY do. I get that. I just don’t understand why she chose THAT particular phrase as a way to demonstrate uncharacteristic behavior.
I mean, c’mon… the truth is that if the gender tables were turned and a guy sang, “But you, make me wanna act like a boy…” it would be nearly impossible to spin that implication into something trivial. You’d probably have ongoing debates about social emasculation, metrosexuals and discrimination against effeminate heterosexual men.
And yet, with songs like this one, girls are being told that you don’t NEED to act like a girl as if there’s something inherently wrong with being girly. I’m not knocking girls who prefer trucks and army men over dolls and dress-up. I just think there should be positive reinforcement of either choice instead of making one out to be better than the other.
The irony? In spite of all that I’ve said, I really, REALLY like the song! lol
Okay, okay… I’ll stop now. Turning my brain off.
Comments (15)
I didn’t take it in the same sense that you did.I think you have to look at her as a person and in her career. She works hard. She works really damn hard. When she sang that lyric, to me, she meant that he makes her want to slow down, take a more traditional role. Which goes against her drive, her talent, her career.
@PrincessPowers - Hmm… maybe you’re right. I don’t typically associate lyrics with the real-life circumstances of an artist. Especially if they didn’t write the song (as is the case here). I figured she was taking the perspective of an everyday/average/non-celebrity girl being afraid of a new relationship and the possibility of love.
While I didn’t realize that this particular song was written by another, since she often does write her own music, the sentiment remains the same. She chose to sing this song, probably because something about it resonated within her, and maybe she related to it in the way I described. Even if she didn’t write it, she must in some way feel it, or she wouldn’t have put it on her album. I really think the association must be made, or an artist is inauthentic, and Demi Lovato prides herself on being Authentic. That tells me there is personal truth to what she sings, whether she penned it or simply sang it.
@PrincessPowers - Valid point. Whether or not she wrote it, it’s obvious that she has a connection to the overall message of the song. She sings it with such conviction. Like I said, I think I think too much sometimes. lol
Without thinking of anything but what you initially wrote, before I read the comments, I am told often when I try to dress up for a date or going out that this keeps the whole sexism and male dominance alive and kicking. So thinking of that I think she is probably thinking that too.
You know, I’ve always felt awkward when out came to acting like a girl. Just recently have I felt comfortable wearing make up and a skirt. Maybe I’m weird, I don’t know. However it’s lyrics like these that made me f eel uncomfortable growing up. Just a little comment lol
The fact that you not only like this song, but have analyzed the lyrics with such scruitny is very troubling to me. I feel as though your man card should be stripped away. At the very least, your case should be reviewed by the board.
Disclaimer: I haven’t heard the song. But “act like a girl” doesn’t tend to have negative implications for me in the sense of what this song seems to be about. Specifically, it reminds me of something Dr. Laura recommends in marriage- that wives act more “like a girl” to their husbands. What she means is, be sweet and flirty with your hubby. That’s not such a bad thing. It’s definitely a good thing to have a man who inspires that desire in you, to be soft and sweet and feminine.
That’s what this post made me think of.
I don’t normally agree with rude, arrogant people, but I think this time I have to . . . You can figure out who it is I’m agreeing with I’m sure. hehehe
@alterEGGO - I never thought of my self as a person who routinely exposes sexism. But I seem to have a bent for that lately. lol@shandilion - Personally, I find quirky to be far more attractive than stereotypical “girly” behavior. Not that there’s anything wrong with being girly. But there’s something deeply intriguing about a woman who is not so cookie cutter. @amateurprose - HAHAHA! Well, you tell me when the review is scheduled and I’ll show up to defend my credibility as a music reviewer. @WaitingToShrug - It’s definitely not a bad thing. I love everything about my wife that makes her a woman… her curves, her soft places, her sensitivity, etc. @olwd - hehe indeed I do.
But you have a good defense, as noted above, so you have ten times the “man” card than he would ever have. . . . even in his dreams. =)
Oh the delicious drama.
I haven’t heard of this girl, but I’m open-minded usually about music. I DO NOT like smash crash type music though and I like to know what they’re singing too. Just my two cents to this “drama”.
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