Castle Blog Five

~Alisa Castle~
A feminist song? That I enjoyed? Yes, there actually are some! For this assignment, I choose India.Arie’s song entitled “Video” from 2001. It was the one of the first songs I had heard from this artist. I had actually been looking up Grammy winners for various years as a way to expand my musical palate and stumbled on a link. I absolutely fell in love with this song for its lyrics spoke to me.

The song is kind of an anthem for accepting yourself as you are. Body image is something I and many other women struggle with and this song reminds me to accept and love myself. Arie talks about doing what feels good in her soul rather than what is conventionally acceptable. She talks about her creator not making mistakes; that every part of her is exactly as it is supposed to be. I love the feeling of empowerment that I feel when reading or hearing these lyrics. When I think of all the women that think they should look like a supermodel or a girl from a video (myself included) a song like this helps remind me of reality. “My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes” is another poignant message in our materialistic society that focuses on money and looks more than kindness and humanity. Much of mainstream popular culture is about money and looks and Arie addresses that by saying you “can keep your Crystal” that she just wants to be herself with all her non-supermodel looks.

If more songs were able to address feminist issues without anger or accusations as she does, I think it would help people be more accepting of feminist ideas. If I had a chance to express my feelings to India Arie I would probably just tell her how I much I appreciate this upbeat song about self love and acceptance.

Lyrics from www.lyrics.com
Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don’t
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won’t
Depend of how the wind blows I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul
Chorus
I’m not the average girl from your video
And I ain’t built like a supermodel
But I learned to love myself unconditionally,
Because I am a queen
I not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I’m wearing I will always be
India.Arie
When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it’s suppose to be
And I know my creator didn’t make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my Lips, my eyes, I’m loving what I see
Chorus
Am I less of a lady if I don’t where panty hose
My momma said a lady ain’t what she wears but what she knows…
But I’ve drawn the conclusion, it’s all an illusion
Confusion’s the name of the game
A misconception, a vast deception,
Something got to change
Now don’t be offended this is all my opinion
Ain’t nothing that I’m saying law
This is a true confession Of a life learned lesson
I was sent here to share with y'all
So get in when you fit in
Go on and shine
Clear your mind Now’s the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself‘
Cause everything’s gonna be alright
Chorus
Out
Keep your fancy drink, and your expensive minks
I don’t need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive cars and your caviar
All’s I need is my guitar
Keep your crystal and your pistol
I’d rather have a pretty piece of crystal
Don’t need you silicone, I prefer my own
What god gave me is just fine…

~Alisa Castle~