It’s Actually About That Bass AND That Treble

This is gonna seem totally off topic for BFD, but stick with me. It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I am a pop-culture addict. While I have some long-time loves (the Monkees, Johnny Depp, Fame, the Muppets) and some destined-to-become long-time loves (Supernatural, Doctor Who, Tom Hiddleston, Arrow), my most recent obsession is the country acapella group that won The Sing-Off last winter, Home Free.

winner
Tim, Rob, Austin, Adam, Chris. From NBC.

These guys are talented, funny, positive, and a little cheesy – all things I look for in a pop culture obsession! I saw them perform live in March, and cannot wait to see them again in November. So it hurts me to tell you how disappointed I was when I saw that their newest cover is of Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass.”

Do you know this song? It’s pretty catchy (or pretty annoying, depending on your tastes). And at first pass, probably sounds body positive. Here it is:

But when you take a closer look, it’s only positive about a certain type of body – which is definitely not what the body positive movement is about. Let’s break it down.

Yeah, it’s pretty clear, I ain’t no size two
But I can shake it, shake it
Like I’m supposed to do
Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase
And all the right junk in all the right places

Can you see all the trouble here? Implying that size two women can’t “shake it,” that there is a way you are “supposed” to shake it, declaring that “all the boys” prefer a specific body type, saying there is a “right” way to have junk.

It goes on to say, “I’m here to tell ya/Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top.” Great, right?  But the lyrics and the video clearly show that this message is not meant for “them skinny b*tches.” Here’s the thing: You can tell someone they’re great from head to toe without telling someone else that they’re not.

Then we have this verse:

Yeah, my mama she told me don’t worry about your size
She says boys like a little more booty to hold at night
You know I won’t be no stick figure silicone Barbie doll
So if that’s what you’re into then go ahead and move along

Some boys probably do like “a little more booty to hold at night.” But some don’t. And that’s totally fine. If Meghan doesn’t want to be “no stick figure silicone Barbie doll,” great. But there are women out there who look like that, and they are no less worthy than a woman who has a little more, um, bass.

If any Home Fries are reading this, it’s basically like saying Rob’s body is great, but Austin’s isn’t.

HFVBFive guys, five different bodies. (From their Instagram.)

You can be fat positive without being thin negative. Want to know how? By accepting all bodies. All. Every shape, every size. With stretch marks and cellulite – and without. With sharp collar bones and thigh gaps – and without. Shaming fat bodies is terrible. But so is shaming thin bodies. The only thing to really do is stop shaming all bodies. All.

Here’s the Home Free version of the song:

And just to be completely clear, this post is not a criticism of their talent, or the obvious fun they had in making this video. It’s just to make people aware of the message that is, for a lot of people, hidden in this song.

HFBassScreen grab of the video. (Red pants alert!)

Maybe you’re thinking, Get over it! It’s just a silly song. Or maybe you’re thinking, How much can you really like Home Free if you’re being critical of their song choice? The truth is, I can appreciate their talent, skill, and charm while also having issues with the things they promote and say. I think that we each have to decide what’s important to us, what we want to stand for, and how the messages the performers we follow affect us in regards to those things.

So, to that end, here is my message to Home Free:

Austin, Tim, Rob, Chris, and Adam, at first it made me really sad that you made this video, and that you think it’s “a positive message for women everywhere.” And then I realized maybe we just needed to have a chat about it, so you could see another point of view. I still love you guys, and I hope we can hug it out in Buffalo in November. I’ll be in the third row.

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