My Thoughts on "Raise Your Glass" by P!nk

Someone asked me to give my thoughts about P!nk and how she imbeds deconstruction into her lyrics and videos.  It's true, she often likes to make fun of herself, and one of the more obvious examples of this is her song "Raise Your Glass," which is basically a battle-cry for those who are beaten down and bullied.  Essentially she says, "We're all weirdos, so go ahead!  Embrace who you are, even if others don't like it."  And I believe she sees herself as one of these underdogs.  Thus, within that song, she allows listeners to see a more raw and naked version of the pop star that is P!nk, rather than the polished, self-assured "perfection" that we often see in today's popular music (the auto-tune, EDM, and the prim-pristine, magazine-worthy look of the female celebrity).   She does this by adding in spoken, humanizing commentary and by purposefully "messing up" her own lyrics.  At 2:06, she mutters a complaint about her empty glass, and it is seemingly presented as if we, as listeners, weren't supposed to hear it.  At 2:15, she throws in the words "I mean..." as if she's not positive that she's saying the exact right thing (all of this happening betwixt sung lines about being "too school for cool"). And then, at 2:29, the culminating and climactic moment of the song, she comes in 4 beats too early, utters an expletive under her breath, and then continues with the final renditions of the chorus, almost in triumph, even though she made the mistake.

The music video presents this vision of liberation from social norms almost immediately, where a larger woman grabs a corn dog and swats a cardboard-cutout of a stereotypically beautiful blonde.  Further images of feminism and glorifications of the outcast ensue.  P!nk portrays herself in a variety of ways, including Rosie the Riveter, a half-pipe skater, and -- during the moments when she lyrically presents herself as the most vulnerable -- she appears as a bespectacled, socially inept highschooler, checking her armpits, jumping up too early, and then dancing with a fellow nerd without a care.

I have always seen P!nk as an advocate for individuality and self-love. What I'm hearing her say is this: Not only does everyone make mistakes, but these mistakes should not only be accepted, but embraced.  I agree that she's playing with the idea of the "perfect" pop singer and the "perfect" pop song in "Raise Your Glass." She definitely is more subtle in "Raise Your Glass" than she is in her other famous empowerment ballad, "F**king Perfect."  Often, P!nk displays two very stark personalities directly next to each other to show that everyone has a Jekyll and a Hyde, a dark and a light. Everyone makes mistakes, but everyone also has potential to be great. I think there is some specific commentary here about celebrities and popular music ("Stupid Girl" also takes a crack at the life of pop fame, but again "Raise Your Glass" does it much more subtly). Thus, as if to defy the stereotype, she deconstructs. She allows for moments of weakness, rather than have a completely polished, generic pop song that supposedly no one can relate to.

Hand-in-hand with P!nk's "it's-okay-to-be-different" battle cry, there is another unspoken side of P!nk that she doesn't want us to see.  I feel like P!nk -- regardless of what she ideally wants to be -- is still an influential pop star who is very self-aware of her impact and therefore still has a lot of pride and takes herself very seriously. So when she purposefully makes these "mistakes" in this song, she's attempting to humanize herself and basically say, "If someone as awesome, rich, and famous as P!nk can do it, so can you!" And it is highly effective.  P!nk successfully falls somewhere in the middle of the spectrum between the crazy, cares-thrown-to-the-wind nature of Lady Gaga and the highly polished anti-vulnerability of Britney Spears (although I think she shares more with Gaga than she does with Spears at this point in her career in the fact that she is rooting for the little guy and presenting a more rough-around-the-edges image of herself).  She's different, intelligent, and self-aware, but she is also accessible and in many ways incredibly sexy.  I believe that there are many people in this world who want to be like P!nk. Confident, strong, with just the right amount of weird.  She's been around the block, but she's learned from it all and now leads a happy life with some stories to tell.  For all the people out there who have made some sort of mistake, P!nk becomes a role model.  There is an obvious agenda in this song. She's creating a cult of egoism that I don't wholly appreciate or believe in. We can't overlook the fact that, while these "mistakes" sound like mistakes, they really aren't. They are all done on purpose. And just because P!nk can get out of a sticky relationship and continue on to stardom almost unscathed does not mean everyone can. P!nk has money, connections, and other resources to help her hide a lot of the consequences that have resulted from her alleged mistakes. Does that mean the consequences aren't there?  No.

 I feel worse about "F*cking Perfect" than I do about this song, but that might be just because what this song lacks in sincerity and genuineness is made up for by a SUPER catchy hook, a singable tune, and a very entertaining music video. (Of course those things can make a song of this nature even more dangerous, because people are drawn to these aspects and then are more likely to accept the lyrics and further idolize the song's creator.) Whether I like it or not, it's a very well-created piece that serves its purpose.

Designer Spotlight: Viktor and Rolf

Birthplace:  Amsterdam, 1993
Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren



I love this season's look.  The oversized, yarn-like embroidery reminds me of my younger days when I would pull shoelaces through giant holes on these cardboard pictures to pass the time during sacrament meeting.  I'd totes wear a lot of the dresses in here, particularly the sunny summer dresses.

V&L work a lot with layers.  They've had multiple shows where they've stacked coat after coat and dress after dress onto one single model.  You can also see the voluptuous layers in their Spring/Summer 2010 "Cutting-Edge Couture," as well as others.  Viktor and Rolf are also amazing because they quote amazing composers like Philip Glass and Stravinsky; they also incorporate modern faces like Rufus Wainwright and actress Tilda Swinson.

Viktor and Rolf has been worn by:

Rihanna

Natalie Portman (pregnant at the Golden Globes, in a dress designed for her!)

Katy Perry

And, of course, our one and only Lady Gaga

From their Fall/Winter 2008 "No" collection.  I fell in love with these pants. 

From Fall Winter 2006 -- One of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE THINGS

This one was also worn by Gaga

This dress is upside-down!

And here's the ad for their fragrance, Flowerbomb

Oh, and PS, interesting tidbit:  Katy Perry wore V&R for her ET music video.  Look how creepy they've made it!!

Most of Their Collections:  I watched every single one of these runway shows.  Yes, I did.

Battle for the Sun -- FW 2011 -- Red, gray, and black.  Red paint faces.  Industrial feel.
Shirt Symphony -- SSu 2011 -- Lots of tops, inspired by men's shirts -- varying colors, White Wedding.
Glamour Factory -- FW 2010 --  Special guest model Kristen McMenamy sheds and acquires coats with the help of V and R as models parade about her.
Cutting-Edge Couture -- SSu 2010 -- Pastels, experiments with cutaway shapes and tulle. Dress with holes. Roisin Murphy sings.
Statues -- Fall/Winter 2009 -- Neutral colors, classical architecture.  Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence." Simpler womanswear.
Shalom -- SSu 2009 -- Black and white geometric designs interspersed with bold multicolor and spiral designs.  Shalom Harlow models.
No -- FW 2008 -- Use of  the words NO and DREAM ON on face and clothes.  Amazing pants and dresses.  Gray, black, and magenta.
The Pierrot collection -- SSu 2008 -- Feminine look using black/white, musical, Pierrot imagery.  Models emerge out of a mouth.
The Fashion Show -- FW 2007 -- Dutch look (wooden shoe high heels), with light fixtures sticking out and shining on them.  Commentary on today's fashion.
The Ballroom Collection -- SpS 2007 -- Ballroom motifs, high-class formality.  Men's attire.  Rufus Wainwright.
Silver -- Fall/Winter 2006 -- Little black dresses, Gold lamee gowns, and netted masks.  Not to mention Phillip Glass.  Hot.
Upside Down -- Sp/Su 2006 -- Clothes worn the wrong way!!!  Upside down set, dresses, off kilter shirts, etc.
Bedtime Story -- F/W 2005 -- Tori Amos.  Pajama and bedsheet motifs.  This is pretty cool.
Flowerbomb -- Sp/Su 2005 -- Helmets and lots of black with bows.  All pose -- blast -- PINK!  Ribbons, flowers, pink pink pink.  What a surprise!  Also the year they came out with their Flowerbomb fragrance.
The Hunt -- FW 2004 -- Lots of Antlers.  (Peter and the Wolf Music)
Red Shoes -- S/Su 2004 -- Otherwise pretty BORING clothing except for the fact that they all have the same RED SHOES in common.
 One Woman Show -- FW 2003 -- Tilda Swinton is our star, and the models are her clones.  Masculine clothing.
Flowers -- SSu 2003 -- Dancing models, colored hair, and pastel/floral prints.  Lots of spirit and lively dancing.
Bluescreen  -- FW 2002 -- Use of a bluescreen to create images on otherwise blue accessories among black attire.
Russion Doll -- FW 1999 -- They play STRAVINSKY'S RITE OF SPRING!

Listening to:  "I feel Immortal" by Tarja
Things Going On Today:  Went and observed 3-year-olds, sat and watched Viktor and Rolf all day.  Some homework.
Blessings:  Weekends.  Getting ahead.  Roommates with grapes.
Learned:  A LOT about Viktor and Rolf.  Also found Peter and the Wolf on Youtube.  Sacha is a boy's name in Russian.

Designer Spotlight: Alexandre Vauthier

Line created 2009
France
Designed under Jean-Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler

Fall/Winter 2011-2012



Amazing, what you can do with just one color.  My favorite can be seen around 8:33.  I just wish it didn't have that giant slit down the middle of it.  I also like the little dresses you can see from 3:00 to 5:00.  I love the fur, too.  All the red kind of accents the "crown jewel" that appears at the end.  This beautiful gown that shines in a sea of crimson and scarlet.  It's quite appealing.

Worn by:

Beyonce Knowles

Rihanna

Lady Gaga

Ciara

More shots of this fabulous line:

Listening to:  "I want it that Way" by the Backstreet Boys

Things Going On Today:  Jacob comes over.  I go to the store.  No school.

Blessings:  No school. 

Learned:  A lot about Alexandre Vauthier.  Also, there is going to be a sequel-series for the show Avatar.  It's called The Legends of Korra.  

My Next Read...

What am I reading now??
Here's a hint:

Guess guess guess!

In the meantime, I'm adding Jude Law to my Hot Guy Hall of Fame...


Listening to:  Some 50's TV show
Blessings:  CHRISTMAS BREAK.
Learned:  Jude Law is seriously balding.
Things going on tonight:  Probably just watching crap on TV and doing more laundry...

DC Part @

City Streets...

Note the Honda Fit.  My dream car.

Mahatma Ghandi

1869 - 1948

"My Life is my Message."

Listening to:  Lady Gaga on Amp Radio

Things going on:  Finally got all my pictures from DC organized.  Missing Thor

Blessings:  Guitar.

Learned:  When Ghandi was born.  

Justin Bieber, Rascal Flatts -- "That Should Be Me"

JUSTIN'S VOICE IS CHANGING!!
Listen to his newest number with Rascal Flatts... he sings lower than Gary Levox and he's super old!
Other than that little blurb, this song's kind of boring.  It's almost too massive for its own good.  The instruments overpower everything and the lyrics aren't that great.  Only listen to hear Justin's new voice, which ain't bad in and of itself, but it will definitely take the "little-boy heartthrob" out of him.


Listening to:  "That Should be Me"
Things Going On Today:  Showed coworkers my newest song about a girl with a dirty mind, FHE
Blessings:  Root Beer Floats, visits to see the Parker Brothers (so I can get a teensy bit of work done before the BF comes back) and webcams.

Pain in the...

I don't understand T-Pain.  He's been featured as a guest in more songs than he's put out himself.  Talk about reaping from others' spoils.  Furthermore, nothing about his voice is real.  He's the king of AutoTune, and yet he's making millions.

One thing's for sure, I really really like the the top hat look.  I should probably invest...

His kids are named Lyriq and Muziq.  I wonder how much they get teased in school.

Listening to:  The only Hope for me is You by MCR
Things going on Today:  Reading When the Mind Hears
Blessings:  My phone.

Grammys Part 2: Katy Perry

Katy Perry, the princess of pop, had an ongoing valentine theme at the Grams this year.  She appeared on the Red Carpet in an evening dress designed by one of my favorites, Armani.  The bustier top is madewith Swarovski crystals, and check out the angel wings!!

Perry appeared with her very own Valentine, Russell Brand.

Her Grammy performance included her hits "Not Like the Movies" and "Teenage Dream."  During "Not Like the Movies," she included never-before-seen footage of her recent marriage to Mr. Brand.  She kept the amazing Armani coming, sitting in a giant swing.

I thought this performance was lovely and personal.  Katy sort of has this plastic doll-image going, so it was nice to see her do a number where it's a little more organic and a little less auto-tuned.

She said "Teenage Dream" went out to all the Valentine Lovers of the evening...

And she ended the night with.. yep, more amazing Armani...

Listening to:  Not like the Movies

Things Going on Today:  Church, fasting, cookie night

Blessings:  No snow.  

Rihanna at the Grammys

I'm sorry, but isn't this dress a little disturbing when seen too close?

Rihanna's looking happy in this Jean Paul Gaultier dress, but her stunning smile is sort of dulled by the lack of dignity that is that dress.  What is she, naked under there?  Come on!  Simply too much is left to the imagination with this dress.

From far away, however, I think this dress has some serious quality to it.  Look at how it looked on the runway!  I particularly like the black gloves and veil.  Adds a cool bit of contrast.
I still don't see why you can't just at least wear a flesh-colored leotard under there, though.  YUCK.


Listening to:  Adele, "Rolling in the Deep"
Things going on Today: I finally get to be lazy
Blessings:  No homework for the weekend.

I'm on the Right track... but they ain't...

This is so great.  I can't wait!!
This is almost an SNL skit... it's great!






PS Justin Bieber plays drums??  He just got cooler.

Smellin' like a Teenage Dream...

Katy Perry's got a new fragrance!

Decked out in "purrrple" at her Premiere in London (Miu Miu) and later in NYC (Zac Posen), Katie shows off her new fragrance, Purr.  I want it simply for the adorable bottle.

Check out the Ad!  "Purrrty" sexy... 

(I know, bad pun...)

And look how she sells it!  From a ghetto Ice Cream truck!!

Available at Nordstrom this November.

Tina Turner Buddhist Chanting

This is very interesting.




Listening to: Death Cab For Cutie "Plans"
Things Going On Today: PETER PAN, ASL TEST, and a very easy day at work.
Blessings: Snow that doesn't stick to sidewalks, a free morning to do homework.

Lady Gaga American Idol 2010

Kaykaykay
ALEJANDRO.



1. Because I am already such a GAGA fan, I was a little too aware of the 'forest red-riding hood' scene she had going tonight on American Idol, which made for a slightly boring performance (for me). I'm sure others may have enjoyed a concept that was new to them, but for me, it was a passe show.
2. Her "Bad Romance" at the beginning was SO COOL. It was almost country! You know what I'm saying? Sort of a bounce to it that I have not yet heard before. Her vocalization during that number was also very impressive.
3. The outfit. I can't believe people can get away with wearing nothing but fishnet on public TV these days, but of course the one person who is actually willing to at least TRY to get away with it has to be Gaga. You gotta admit, she has courage. As for the strange black tulle hood garment thing... as my mom put it, "It got in the way." I liked it when she was seated on the piano, tho. Added a nice "riding hood" touch.
4. The dancers... what were they wearing????
5. The song is not as fun to listen to live as her other singles have been. "BAD ROMANCE" is just epic. Telephone has a definite bounce to it. But ALEJANDRO? It's more of an easy listening number, not a show-stopper.

So there's my bit about Lady Gaga (or as my mother calls her, lady GAG-a) on American Idol tonight, May 5, 2010. I liked her last appearance so much better. Pokerface gone rock-and-roll was just incredible. Now I think she's beginning to try too hard. Once again, quoting my mother, "She's trying to out-do herself all the time nowadays." And it's even worse now because you got people like Ke$ha and Christina Augiulera (however you spell her name) competing against her for the DIVA of the year.

Speaking of DIVAS, did you know Beyonce has a perfume line out now? It's called HEAT and I really wanna know what it smells like. :D TO MACYS!!!

Lady Gaga Shoes!!

More of that amazing Gagalicious fashion that I love...
check these out!

Try Giorgio Armani Glitter Heels...
What can I do to make these things mine????

"Who's that chick that's rockin' kicks?"

Lucchese 1883 Mad Dog Goat Women's Boots

Noted to be similar to the ones used in Miley Cyrus's "Party in the USA" music video... Not quite the same but they're believably the same brand.

I think I should get into this cowboy boot thing. They're sturdy, comfy, and pretty legit vintage.