Tatu - "All the Things She Said"
Mar. 5th, 2003 07:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
timepiececlockI love seeing moments where images or words of homosexuality are accepted into popular media. Especialy things like television. It's an old topic on film-- in fact it almost seems a requirement in movies these days-- have the comedic gay neighbor. But you don't see it on things like MTV much at all. And if you do, its rarely presented as normal-- there's always some hype, some "thing" about it, some reason for it to be portrayed instead of a heterosexual relationship.
So when I do see things like that, and it's not on a
"TV Special", it's just there, I'm extremely pleased.
I don't know why. I'm not homosexual-- it's not even something I've ever wondered. SO it doens't have an overt presence in my life. I don't seek out slash fanfiction (yaoi or yuri in anime). I've never seen Queer As Folk, though people say its good. I've never done a particular thing to reach out and see more of the things in entertainment world that deal with sexual orientation beyond what's in my immediate average american teenager view.
And yet, when I see something like to young men making out very sweetly on a video by a pop princess, I get a little thrill. I want to run around to people and say "Oh my god, did you see that! I saw two guys making out on MTV, in glossy technicolor! In a major artist's music video! And it was sweetly done, too! That's great! Isn't it great? To see images like that breaking into something as coporate and mainstream and censored as MTV?!!"
I tried to have this conversation with my dad two weeks ago. He didn't understand what the big deal was. I was trying to explain that I'd never seen that on M-T-V before, and that made the difference. He just sort of shrugged.
So I was watching music videos on MTV-2 yesterday, while cleaning the kitchen. There was a new music video on, a kind of dance/pop-ish song with a fast beat and an odd lyrical rythm. Not something I instantly loved, but not bad.
What tripped me out though, was that the song was so outright-- I'm tempted to use the fandom word "slashy" here, because I'm not sure if I know a better one (though there probably is). But it was sexy, in a very girl-girl way. There was rain, and shadows, and other stuff that said the two girls on the screen weren't sisterly. And what really caught my attention was that they looked about high school age. The two guys in the Christina Aguilera video were definitely men-- in their twenties. The singer and the other girl in this video were girls. In school uniforms. It weirdly reminded me of Britney Spears' first "hit me baby one more time" video, thoguh not nearly as slutty. That was a hyper-sexed-up image, this was a sweet-&-angsty-yet-sexy image. I thought "Wow, this is different."
It was a pretty video-- well directed. Lots of images of water and rain and streets. Lots of green coloring. I love how they walk away holding hands together at the end.
I heard the song on the radio this morning (for the first time), and I listened carefully to the words. Then just now I looked up the lyrics. And I was right -- it was definitely about a lesbian relationship. And way more fun to listen to than "Aida"-- I'm still not sure if that's what that song was about, as Sarah McLachlan's married.
I'm downloading the song now. Because it's a decent song, with a catchy chorus. And I can't help but like anything that flies in the face of the norm-- especially when it's done cool.
ETA: Just brought this up with my mom, and she had a good question. She asked if, after seeing this video, that next time I saw the singer if I would mentally label her as being gay. I thought about it for a long time, and decided that no, not really. 1) because of how the video was presented-- it wasn't flaming or butch, it didn't say "look at me, I'm gay"-- it was just a song about a relationship. 2) because it wasn't particularly the singer who interested me in the video, it was the iamge the video presented as a whole. The singer could be strait who was just doing this song with this theme because someone paid her to sing it, and I'd get the same kick out of seeing it.
So when I do see things like that, and it's not on a
"TV Special", it's just there, I'm extremely pleased.
I don't know why. I'm not homosexual-- it's not even something I've ever wondered. SO it doens't have an overt presence in my life. I don't seek out slash fanfiction (yaoi or yuri in anime). I've never seen Queer As Folk, though people say its good. I've never done a particular thing to reach out and see more of the things in entertainment world that deal with sexual orientation beyond what's in my immediate average american teenager view.
And yet, when I see something like to young men making out very sweetly on a video by a pop princess, I get a little thrill. I want to run around to people and say "Oh my god, did you see that! I saw two guys making out on MTV, in glossy technicolor! In a major artist's music video! And it was sweetly done, too! That's great! Isn't it great? To see images like that breaking into something as coporate and mainstream and censored as MTV?!!"
I tried to have this conversation with my dad two weeks ago. He didn't understand what the big deal was. I was trying to explain that I'd never seen that on M-T-V before, and that made the difference. He just sort of shrugged.
So I was watching music videos on MTV-2 yesterday, while cleaning the kitchen. There was a new music video on, a kind of dance/pop-ish song with a fast beat and an odd lyrical rythm. Not something I instantly loved, but not bad.
What tripped me out though, was that the song was so outright-- I'm tempted to use the fandom word "slashy" here, because I'm not sure if I know a better one (though there probably is). But it was sexy, in a very girl-girl way. There was rain, and shadows, and other stuff that said the two girls on the screen weren't sisterly. And what really caught my attention was that they looked about high school age. The two guys in the Christina Aguilera video were definitely men-- in their twenties. The singer and the other girl in this video were girls. In school uniforms. It weirdly reminded me of Britney Spears' first "hit me baby one more time" video, thoguh not nearly as slutty. That was a hyper-sexed-up image, this was a sweet-&-angsty-yet-sexy image. I thought "Wow, this is different."
It was a pretty video-- well directed. Lots of images of water and rain and streets. Lots of green coloring. I love how they walk away holding hands together at the end.
I heard the song on the radio this morning (for the first time), and I listened carefully to the words. Then just now I looked up the lyrics. And I was right -- it was definitely about a lesbian relationship. And way more fun to listen to than "Aida"-- I'm still not sure if that's what that song was about, as Sarah McLachlan's married.
I'm downloading the song now. Because it's a decent song, with a catchy chorus. And I can't help but like anything that flies in the face of the norm-- especially when it's done cool.
ETA: Just brought this up with my mom, and she had a good question. She asked if, after seeing this video, that next time I saw the singer if I would mentally label her as being gay. I thought about it for a long time, and decided that no, not really. 1) because of how the video was presented-- it wasn't flaming or butch, it didn't say "look at me, I'm gay"-- it was just a song about a relationship. 2) because it wasn't particularly the singer who interested me in the video, it was the iamge the video presented as a whole. The singer could be strait who was just doing this song with this theme because someone paid her to sing it, and I'd get the same kick out of seeing it.
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no subject
Date: 2003-03-05 09:03 pm (UTC)It's pretty lame. But I like the song.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-05 09:30 pm (UTC)Each time they leaned in for a kiss we were treated to a shot of...THE DRUMMER! Ripoff!
>P Lame. That's cause for all it's commercialism, MTV is still more daring than stupid basic channel talk shows.
But still, I thought the video was nice. And I could get to like the song more, if I hear it more. And I have a feeling I will-- it'll probably be overplayed.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-05 11:48 pm (UTC)As for the video, yeah it's beautifully directed but the cynical side of me thinks it's just a gimick.
"Ok, we need to get this song to sell. I know we'll have two lesbian schoolgirls getting all wet in the the rain. That's every teenage boys fantasy."
And it worked. I would estimate that a very high percentage of people who bought this song bought it because of the video. If it had been just a regular singer I'm not so sure it would have done as well.
People are buying it because of the video AND because it's controversial. There have been a lot of complaints about it over here and that has just boosted sales.
Oddly though, no one has complained about the two men in Christina's video
no subject
Date: 2003-03-06 12:03 am (UTC)I downloaded both because
That said, the video is pretty, and I like the song well enough.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-06 02:15 am (UTC)Why aren't there pretty boys kissing on music videos?
no subject
Date: 2003-03-06 02:16 am (UTC)Sorry to be the rain-on-the-parader but...
Date: 2003-03-06 04:38 am (UTC)Reading your post got me so riled up! Not at you, but because the Tatu song is my current annoyance/issue of the month.
I live in New Zealand, and the song arrived here a couple of months ago. I loved the song, and I'm gay, so the first time I heard/saw it, I was really pleased (and the majority of my gay friends love it too). Like you, I couldn't care less whether the girls in the video are gay or not (which they aren't, by the by). What really gets my goat though, is the *reason* behind the group/song.
The manager of the group was surfing porn on the internet and realised there was a market for underage lesbians (he's admitted this in interviews). So, he created the band based on that concept - Tatu apparently translates to "This girl loves that girl" or something similar. There's a lot of concern in the Russian press that the girls are being exploited in terms of the sexuality they're paid to portray (they've been in the group, which is manufactured, since they were both 14).
While I can fully get into a music video/song that presents lesbianism as natural, it offends me on so many levels that the reason behind it is to appeal to horny old men, who are looking for some Britney on Britney action. I'm thoroughly annoyed I find the song so darn likeable, because the concept is disgusting. The girls have been photographed with boyfriends (on the sly, because the management try and have people believe they're really gay) but they make out on stage when they perform the song - it's part of the performance. Also, they've been quoted in interviews saying things like "Do you want to hear that the two of us $(#* every night? Well, we do." Baloney, baloney and more baloney, designed to attract a lot of attention (which of course they're getting) and turn on aforementioned dirty old geezers.
Phew! Rant complete! Sorry to use your LJ for this performance - I really enjoy reading and you have good links, so thank you. I don't mean to put a dampener on your happiness at seeing gay images in the media - far from it. It's just my personal opinion that this particular group is insulting to lesbians rather than a positive thing (although obviously I am speaking on my own behalf, rather than lesbians worldwide) ;-)
Take care,
Helen
Re:
Date: 2003-03-06 08:28 am (UTC)Re: Sorry to be the rain-on-the-parader but...
Date: 2003-03-06 08:35 am (UTC)I'm sorry to hear that, but it doesn't surprise the cynic in me. And I'm sorry about that too.
I only just heard of them and havne't read any media press or hype yet, so at least I've not been built up to have an established image of them. I can see how this would uspet you-- it's always disappointing to find that things like this are done for gimmick and not for genuine appeal.
I really enjoy reading and you have good links, so thank you.
Thank you! It's always nice speaking to new people. :)
Re:
Date: 2003-03-06 08:37 am (UTC)Why aren't there pretty boys kissing on music videos?
Go watch Christina Aguilera's video "Beautiful" ;)
Re:
Date: 2003-03-06 08:37 am (UTC)Re:
Date: 2003-03-06 08:42 am (UTC)Though I must have missed the actual kissing in the video, cause I don't recall that-- I was probably walking around and missed it.
no subject
Date: 2003-03-06 09:19 am (UTC)Re:
Date: 2003-03-06 03:38 pm (UTC)Re: Sorry to be the rain-on-the-parader but...
Date: 2003-03-07 05:39 am (UTC)It is sucky. Gimmicks are well and good, but when the idea behind the gimmick (dirty old man appeal) is a problem the gimmick (lesbianism) actually has an issue with, it's really annoying (if that make sense - I have twisted logic). If I had a dollar for every time I told some guy I wasn't interested, and was actually gay, and then had them start salivating, well...colour me rich!
Anyway, posting this felt good. Ranting is the bomb-diggety, and it's been nice saying a quick 'how's your uncle' to you.
Back to Lurkersville for me, have a good day!
Helen