Black Friday

[ccroft]

I had meant to make this post several days ago when it might have been more relevant. It was going to be a long, rambling indictment of the internet and pop music in general, but just to get my thoughts out I think I can do the same in rather less words.

It's about Rebecca Black; some of you, many of you will see this over-exposed name and groan.

Comments

[equus2]

You're right, she sounds as good/bad as most other mainstream pop artists. I hadn't heard her before and if you didn't write about this "worst song of all time" bandwagon, I'd just think it's yet another pop song that got popular. But you know... people like bandwagons and viral stuff, that gives them something to talk and laugh about. :)

[bartok]

I was totally with you until Lady Gaga went and said that she was a "genius".

I can't stand Gaga.

[ccroft]

I'm kinda 'eh' on Gaga. True, she makes terrible pop music. But she's also the biggest celebrity supporter of LGBT rights there is in the States right now; her campaigning against DADT, and her messages to gay teens after that teen suicide last year was touching.

That, and she does crazy shit like turning up to awards ceremonies in meat dresses... it's like someone spliced together Marilyn Manson with Madonna. Sometimes you think she's trying too hard to be edgy, but at least she's clearly never afraid to do what she pleases, unlike some.

[mtext]

Well, I for one might feel sorrier for her about the whole "worst song" thing if it weren't currently making her $20-30,000 a week on iTunes and Simon Cowell wasn't now making noises about signing her up. And it really IS a pretty terrible song. Not the worst ever, by any means, but certainly not one that should (in a sane world, which it's unceasingly hammered home that this certainly isn't) set one up for a lucrative music career either.

[ccroft]

I rather see the money and subsequent advances in her career fair compensation for having to read messages like "I hope you cut yourself and I hope you get an eating disorder so you'll look pretty. I hope you cut and die" .

She has recieved the hate-mail; though we adults might be trained to ignore the trolls, she's just 13 and when you see her being interviewed she's just so sweet. And there is so MUCH hate out there for her, the money I see as the online equivalent of a 'swear jar' going right into her pocket...

[invisiblewolf]

I would have to say that I've definitely heard worse, and that she has potential to be better. The song sounds like it was written by a third grader but I can't fault the singer if the song is utterly inane. And it's not as bad as the song that goes "Don't let me go...don't let me go..." over and over. They play that at my gym sometimes, which is truly horrific to listen to when you're trying to lift!

And no, I had never heard of her, nor seen the video, until now. I try to keep myself insulated from insanity and idiocy from the masses as much as possible. ;-)

-Spiritwolf.

[ccroft]

"I would have to say that I've definitely heard worse, and that she has potential to be better."

This. With a talented songwriter giving her lyrics instead of whoever runs the ARK music factory, there's no doubt in the world her next song will be something pleasing.

[mtext]

For the record, he's the one who first inflicted her upon me as well. ; )

[sorceror]

Sorry, but this song is still vapid crap.

I can agree that it's unkind to pick on a young girl for trying to become a star, and the production values for the music and the video are pretty darn slick. It certainly isn't the 'worst' I've ever heard. However... the song itself is pretty damn inane.

I think this song, by a *ten* year old, is much more impressive. Musically it's more complex, and it has actual emotional depth:

[ccroft]

Well, Rebecca didn't write the song; inane as it is, I bet I could find inane-r by artists on the charts today. Why should she be singled out over these others? Because she's a weak target? Because people are jealous?

[sorceror]

I don't think it's fair to her. But that doesn't make the song itself any better.

Jealousy may have a part in this. But maybe this song is getting such a negative reaction because there's just something about it that seems to encapsulate everything that's wrong with modern pop culture. A young girl in makeup and the latest fashions, singing bland bubblegum pop music with incredibly banal lyrics that glorify partying on the weekend, and getting obvious popularity and respect from all the 'cool' kids for doing it. It makes **my** skin crawl.

You're right that she doesn't deserve to be hated. I don't blame her - I blame the culture that makes preteen girls think that this kind of pop culture celebrity is a worthwhile life goal.

[mtext]

IAWTC