Blurred Lines? I don't think so!

In the past few days after the VMAs, a lot has been said about Miley Cyrus’ performance with Robin Thicke. I have to say, I pretty much agree with everyone’s critique of her performance. And then I read several people in blogs or on Facebook asking what about Robin Thicke’s part in all of it and why wasn’t he blamed as well. Yes he was pretty bad too but I will admit in saying that for some reason he didn’t bother me as much. Some will say that it’s because society says that it’s okay for a man to openly want sex but women that they should keep it behind closed doors. Could be.

However, I realize as I looked at the footage there was something that kept bothering me.  It wasn’t the antics of Cyrus nor Thicke; no it was the same uncomfortable feeling I got whenever I listened to that song on the radio. Yet I loved the dance groove of that song.

And then I really listened to the lyrics of ‘Blurred Lines’ the other day and knew that from that point on, I could never enjoy that song again. Why?

Because of the message that song is sending. That it isn’t rape if a man thinks he knows that a woman wants him. I’m surprised that radio keeps playing it. Which is probably a good reason why I prefer listening to my mp3 player instead.

I’m not only surprised about radio playing the song but I’m pretty pissed off about it.

Let’s start at the beginning of the song:

If you can't hear what I'm trying to say
If you can't read from the same page
Maybe I'm going deaf,
Maybe I'm going blind
Maybe I'm out of my mind

So it sounds as if some guy is picking a woman up at a club or the like. From the sounds of it, he’s striking out because she ‘can’t’ hear (the pick up line) what he’s trying to tell say. Those ‘maybes’ seem to be his way of saying, ‘did you/have you accepted what I’m offering? Maybe I just ‘going deaf’

Next verse.

OK now he was close, tried to domesticate you
But you're an animal, baby, it's in your nature
Just let me liberate you
Hey, hey, hey
You don't need no papers
Hey, hey, hey
That man is not your maker

I could take that verse two ways. One he came to her rescue after another tried to hit on her or that he’s stalking this woman’s every move at this club. Either scenario it doesn’t matter because of the next verse:

And that's why I'm gon' take a good girl
I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
You're a good girl
Can't let it get past me
You're far from plastic
Talk about getting blasted
I hate these blurred lines
I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
But you're a good girl
The way you grab me
Must wanna get nasty
Go ahead, get at me

And here is where I get extremely uncomfortable about this song. Especially the line, “I know you want it”. Really? How do you know that? Did the woman say that or are you just assuming this?  He talks about her “getting blasted” and then goes on to say to her that he hates those, ‘blurred lines’.

You’re asking a woman, who you admit is ‘blasted’, to have sex with you and because she didn’t say yes or no to you that suddenly it’s a ‘blurred line’? And how do you know that the way she grabbed you that she wanted to do the nasty with you? Again did she say that?

Next:

What do they make dreams for
When you got them jeans on
What do we need steam for
You the hottest bitch in this place
I feel so lucky
Hey, hey, hey
You wanna hug me
Hey, hey, hey
What rhymes with hug me?
Hey, hey, hey

So now our boy is changing tactics and trying to be smooth. Tells her how hot she looks in her jeans. Flirts with her and tries to be funny. But then he goes and spoils it by then saying:

And that's why I'm gon' take a good girl
I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
You're a good girl
Can't let it get past me
You're far from plastic
Talk about getting blasted
I hate these blurred lines
I know you want it
I hate them lines
I know you want it
I hate them lines
I know you want it
But you're a good girl
The way you grab me
Must wanna get nasty
Go ahead, get at me.

Again dude assuming that this girl wants it! That while she’s a ‘good girl’ and real (‘far from plastic’) that he’s going to show her what he (assumes) she wants.

And then here comes the friend who joins him in trying to cajole the woman into having sex...

One thing I ask of you
Let me be the one you back that ass to
Go, from Malibu, to Paris, boo
Yeah, I had a bitch, but she ain't bad as you
So hit me up when you passing through
I'll give you something big enough to tear your ass in two
Swag on, even when you dress casual
I mean it's almost unbearable
In a hundred years not dare, would I
Pull a Pharside let you pass me by
Nothing like your last guy, he too square for you
He don't smack that ass and pull your hair like that
So I just watch and wait for you to salute
But you didn't pick
Not many women can refuse this pimpin'
I'm a nice guy, but don't get it if you get with me

...and pretty much tells the woman how he’d like to be part of a threesome with her and his friend. And that he isn’t going to be easy on her that he would ‘tear’ her ‘ass into two’. Oh yeah that just sounds so sexy...NOT.

He is trying like his friend above but is obviously failing because this woman ‘refuse(d) this pimipin’ I wonder why? *rolls eyes*

And then the rest of the song:

Shake the vibe, get down, get up
Do it like it hurt, like it hurt
What you don't like work?

Baby can you breathe? I got this from Jamaica
It always works for me, Dakota to Decatur, uh huh
No more pretending
Hey, hey, hey
Cause now you winning
Hey, hey, hey
Here's our beginning

I always wanted a good girl
I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
You're a good girl
Can't let it get past me
You're far from plastic
Talk about getting blasted
I hate these blurred lines

I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
But you're a good girl
The way you grab me
Must wanna get nasty
Go ahead, get at me

I dunno know about the rest of you but it kind of sounds like they raped and drugged her and then after it’s over and done, he jokes with his buddy about always wanting a ‘good girl’ but it was okay because he knew she wanted it.

Great message we’re sending to our young people. Hell to anyone who, like me just a few days ago, thought it was just a cool dance song.

Guys, let me tell you something...unless you ask a woman point blank if she wants you, then don’t assume you know. And the excuse that she was ‘blasted’ and gave you that ‘blurred line’ is absolutely no reason for you to rape her.  Sure she didn’t say no but did she tell you yes?

I will never listen to this song again.

So question, are there any songs that have made you uncomfortable listening to them?

‘til next time,

Jacs