If you've been anywhere near a radio during the past month, you've caught my reference, and can probably hum along to Meghan Trainor's chart-topper. I might have even got it stuck in your head just now. The song itself is an annoyingly catchy ode to curves; supporting confidence in one's own self-image. Unfortunately, Trainor's approach isn't necessarily helping her cause. As a matter of fact, she's doing quite the opposite.
There are two things I dislike about this song. It's hard for me to think that it's promoting a positive approach to self-confidence with lines such as, “you know I won’t be no stick figure silicone Barbie doll,” and, “I’m bringing booty back; go ahead and tell them skinny bitches that." After hearing those lines, I get the impression that it's good to be confident in your body...only if you're curvy. So skinny women can't be proud of their figure? That's a frustrating double-standard.
The second thing I take issue with is the fact that the lyrics suggest men are the motivation for confidence in one's figure. Trainor gloats, “’Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase,” and, “boys like a little more booty to hold at night." This is about when I mentally clocked out and gave up on this song. I thought the whole point was to promote self-confidence? If so, why is she basing her argument that she can be happy off the claim that she has boys' approval?
Sure, I may get the feedback that, "this is just a song," and, "I should relax," but what would happen if the roles were reversed? What would happen if some size two singer was singing, "go on and tell them curvy bitches that?" I don't think we'd be as quick to accept the message. Just once, I'd like to hear a chart-topper that promotes confidence without putting others down. I challenge an artist to do so.