Word Crimes

[Bruce the Duck]

Having read what Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke have said about the song, and judging by the lyrics and how they've described their intent, I don't buy that it is "pro-rape." And considering Al has a young daughter, I don't think he'd willingly help make money for a song that he thought was "pro-rape". But I don't want to have a debate about that subject. It's insanely catchy and well-written (and has Pharrell Williams in it), and that's all that matters in the context of an Al parody.

Besides, this thread is about "Handy".

[TMBJon]

The song is titled Blurred Lines, as in the "gray area" of whether a drunk girl pleading not to have sex should really be considered a victim of rape.

It features lyrics like this:

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

And then the smoking gun, this image from the music video:


What else needs to be said besides this? The song is pro-rape!

[The Sporkman]

Al has been known to donate his portion of a parody's profits to a charitable organization when he feels there is something controversial or contentious about his decision to parody a particular song. I wonder if he'll donate the profits to "Word Crimes" to RAINN or a similar organization?

[Bruce the Duck]

Like I said, I don't want to debate it, and this isn't the place for such a discussion.

[TMBJon]

this isn't the place for such a discussion.

This is exactly the place for such a discussion!!!!
But that doesn't mean you have to participate in it.

Anyone else have thoughts about Blurred Lines?
I really think it's the most misogynistic song of the last decade!

[TMBJon]

I don't want to debate it

I know you want it.
Must wanna get nasty.
Go ahead get at me.

[Bruce the Duck]

this isn't the place for such a discussion.

This is exactly the place for such a discussion!!!!
But that doesn't mean you have to participate in it.

Anyone else have thoughts about Blurred Lines?
I really think it's the most misogynistic song of the last decade!

Oh, I didn't see that one of the mods moved the discussion to "Word Crimes". It was started in the "Handy" thread.

Still, I don't want to get into a debate about it. Let's keep this a positive place and focus on speculation as to the content of Al's song/album, not on the motives of the original artists.

[The Sporkman]

The song is horrible, and it's promoting a mindset that contributes to rape culture whether or not it's explicitly advocating rape itself. And Thicke's new album that's entirely about his soon-to-be-divorced-wife is creepy as heck.

[Way_Moby]

The original is horrible, but I'm still shocked everyone reacted so violently against it. It wasn't the first (nor the last) song to promote rape culture, sadly. Doesn't make it, OK, though.

But I hope Al buries this song!

[avesjohn]

"Blurred Lines" is definitely my least favorite parody subject on MF, no thanks to those frustratingly pro-rape lyrics. And also, lately, due to Robin Thicke's apparent inability to get over Paula Patton leaving him (see: naming his new album after her, for starters) and the stalker-y vibes I get from him and his music. When it comes to art, I try to separate the art from the artist - which is why Tom Cruise the crazy Scientologist is not Tom Cruise the actor - but with Robin Thicke, I guess you could say those lines are...blurred. I just don't like him.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Paradoxically, for exactly the reasons given above, "Word Crimes" is perhaps my most-anticipated parody on MF. As a writer myself, I can relate to the subject matter, but more importantly, I just know Al will make this intolerable song tolerable. The other parody subjects I all enjoy to some degree, but not "Blurred Lines." In two weeks' time, Al will finally save us from the nightmare that is "Blurred Lines," and I for one am looking forward to it.