...to think that 'Single Ladies' is garbage?

[TheValeyard]

Just watching some crap on TV, and a bunch of people are saying about how Beyonce's Single Ladies is all about female empowerment. This seems to be utter bollocks - the line 'put a ring on it' is one of the worst, most demeaning song lyrics ever, and referring to women/a woman as 'it' is the least of it's problems??

Sorry, but i f-ing HATE that song...

I don't see the problem with it. It is about being in a relationship for three years with no commitment and so deciding to move on.

@70isaLimitNotaTarget

You have heard WAP then op-i nearly spat my drink out first time i heard that

Oh urgh that song is nasty

There was a huge thread about it , loads of posters were "Oh , it's empowering, why should a woman be ashamed of their sex drive , they look great in the video "

Lyrics about "I don't cook or clean but ask me how I got this ring" and "Ask him for a car while you ride his dick"

So basically a gold digger then .

Exactly makes them look a bit stupid

WAP is one of my favourite songs! Megan Thee Stallion is really something to behold imho.

Of all the songs you could have chosen to label as the ‘most demeaning ever’, you chose a song by a black woman.

Some people are so threatened by successful black women.

YouTube - search all the single ladies and Thomas theme tune! That'll make you laugh! It improves it!

@phishy

Of all the songs you could have chosen to label as the ‘most demeaning ever’, you chose a song by a black woman.

Some people are so threatened by successful black women.

This and not only that, the OP never made an effort to understand the lyrics. I’m not a Beyoncé fan but even I know the song is a feminist song about not waiting around for a man who has commitment issues.

But Mumsnet is generally not a friendly place for women of colour.

I think she is phenomenal.

'If I were a boy' is just fantastic.

am not into that song but you are criticising a song whose lyrics you misinterpret. The basis of your dislike is wrong. It's like saying you hate MacBeth because it's about eating too much refined sugar.
And then: is one of the worst, most demeaning song lyrics ever
wow. really?
here are a few examples of lyrics by Eminem:
“If she ever tries to fucking leave again I'mma tie her to the bed and set this house on fire” (“Love The Way You Lie”)

“I told this bitch in gym class That she was too fat to swim laps, she need a Slim Fast…All I wanted to do is rape the bitch and snatch her purse,now I wanna kill her,but yo I gotta catch her first” (“As The World Turns”)

“I'll still be able to break a motherfuckin' table
Over the back of a couple of faggots and crack it in half” (“Rap God”)
He's also rapped about cutting women's buttocks. And he is only one of many men (and a few women) whose songs glorify violence against women and girls. But no. The worst lyrics you've heard are Beyonce urging a dithering man to put an engagement ring on a woman's finger. Hmmm?

@diplodocus

It always makes me smile as I remember dd2 who was about 4 at the time and always had an innovative take on lyrics singing “i’m a single lettuce, I’m a single lettuce”

oh that's so sweet. I would love to be a single lettuce 😅😅

I'd be more concerned about her first 'pregnancy' with regards to how she views herself as a woman.

Can't understand the objection. And then the criticism of her husband being a music mogul? So? And the Timberlake version has always been one of my faves.

[quote Nomoreusernames1244] think it was a hit because of the dance craze though

The dance is shit was well. I never got the beyonce love.

And i don’t get the lyrics either. Why is a ring and marriage yet again presented as what every woman wants? Fuck off.

I like this version better anyway:

m.youtube.com/watch?v=w8qaGcq8Ruk[/quote]
That made my night! 😂😂😂

@TrainspottingWelsh

I don't think Beyoncé's work displays a lack of contrast/variation; at a basic level, she had an incredible wide vocal range, which is a point of interest. The production on her records features sampling, electronica, a wide variety of styles and genres.

Other artists on the A-level syllabus (when I taught it) were Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Muse, Labrinth, Daft Punk.

@eekbumbler

I'd be more concerned about her first 'pregnancy' with regards to how she views herself as a woman.

What are you on about.

MN users will generally dislike anything a woman of colour does. Just look back at the Eminem thread to see that it's fine when a white person puts out demeaning or degrading lyrics. It makes them the "greatest of all time" if they're white

@SlashBeef I agree. It's always dressed up as faux concern or just wholesale misrepresented. I find it very interesting to observe as a black woman because it does shed light on what language is used these days to justify basically feeling a woman of colour deserves nothing but criticism. Of course the wonderful thing about it will be all the 'Of course it's not about her being black! my daughter's hamster's friend is black' But it is tedious.

Noone is claiming eminem is empowering women though.
I also think the spice girls were overrated shite btw. In fact anything that mentions " girl power" will almost inevitably be exploiting women (all women)

I didn't read rhe eminem thread, were people saying he's the goat??

[quote GladysTheOstrich]@TrainspottingWelsh

I don't think Beyoncé's work displays a lack of contrast/variation; at a basic level, she had an incredible wide vocal range, which is a point of interest. The production on her records features sampling, electronica, a wide variety of styles and genres.

Other artists on the A-level syllabus (when I taught it) were Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Muse, Labrinth, Daft Punk.[/quote]
@GladysTheOstrich I feel Beyonce has real talent and a good vocal range. However, the focus has sometimes been a bit much on commercialisation and almost disneyfing her talent which is a pity. Still very talented though.

[The rest of this post is a general comment not aimed at you @GladysTheOstrich] Cant be arsed to criticise her Single ladies lyrics. There is way worse out there. Besides, feminists come in many many colours (pun intended). And some want to be married and will walk away from a man who doesn't commit and try to find one who doesn't. Others will not even want to look at men or see other forms of empowerment. In terms of her talent or lack there of, there is also the reality about who is in control of the music industry, who defines what we see as good music, what sells etc. So if she decided to go with what sells, so what? One aspect of empowerment is women's economic empowerment and it should not seen as less than social/political empowerment. Lets be honest in many cases, He (intended) who has the dough rules.

Well clearly she didn't like it/him enough either. If she did then she "shoulda put a ring on it".

Touché dan!

@Margotshypotheticaldog

I didn't read rhe eminem thread, were people saying he's the goat??

Yup, he's the greatest rapper of all time apparently.

I know this thread was started about one particular Beyoncé song and i dont mean to derail. But i just thought this was a particularly interesting visual re female artists and empowerment. Brandi Carlile and Miley Cyrus performance For NYE last night, BC is rocking the pin stripe suit, this is one of MCs more modest looks for the evening

@phishy

Of all the songs you could have chosen to label as the ‘most demeaning ever’, you chose a song by a black woman.

Some people are so threatened by successful black women.

Ah of course. No one is allowed to dislike anything by an artist who is black. Your comment is so cliched, it’s like satire.

@SunshineOnKeith I mean, what solid evidence did they have though? Except for the people that came forward and "claimed" he abused them? Genuine question btw as I haven't actually looked into the case in detail. Please enlighten me if I have missed something..?