Victoria Houghtalen is a first-year
intended political science major
from Noblesville, Indiana.
Meghan Trainor, a Massachusetts native, has made her mark across the country with her catchy new hit single “All About That Bass.” Along with having the ability to stay in your head for days, Trainor has also secured a spot in the charts. The 50’s/60’s style song is curently number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and also second on the iTunes top downloaded songs.
Part of the draw to the song is its empowering message of the acceptance of the bigger body-types. The lyrics “Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top,” embody a message that every individual, no matter what the size, needs to hear.
But unfortunately, Trainor’s message of acceptance is not catered to every individual. When writing a song about self-esteem, the emphasis needs to fall on appreciation of all imperfections. Instead, “Bass” focuses only on larger figures with “big booty.” The song even goes so far as to cast away individuals who are thinner, singing “Go ahead and tell them skinny b****es.”
The bouncy tune captures any listener into singing along without necessarily understanding the consequences of the lyrics. Downplaying one body type does not enhance the validity of another; these reoccurring messages can be detrimental to the way we perceive other perfectly healthy body types.
Recently, there have been many online campaigns for natural beauty acceptance msuch as Dove’s ongoing Self-Esteem Project and even Colbie Caillat’s hit song “Try." I believe that these measures promote the elimination of securities, but Trainor's song takes a step in the opposite direction.
Aside from the bashing of other body types, the trouble lies in who Trainor is singing for. With lyrics such as “all the right junk in all the right places” and “boys like a little more booty to hold at night,” I question for what purpose she is endorsing her body. I perceive the lyrics assert the opinion that bigger girls are better because men say so. Other campaigns, such as the above mentioned, preach self-reliance and determination, needing no validation from another group.
Essentially, when speaking to a group of young women, the message needs to focus on how they can become more confident. Trainer sends a subliminal message that approval and glossy-eyed looks, especially from males, should be the real reason for confidence.
These factors are small and seemingly insignificant when considering the dominating message of the hit. Yet when women consistently sing along to a tune that spins worthiness, the impact can be alarming.
Trainer may have “no treble,” but the song is sure causing a lot of trouble.