India Arie "Video"

[gpduke]

This song is a priceless gem.

She was on Oprah's rerun today, fitting for her to be on there, but not the others who were in the discussion.

The lyrics of this song are perfect. The only reason this song didn't peak higher than #21 is because the song is perfect. I wouldn't expect a song like this to blow up, although if radio had any sense, it would have been an easy two months at #1.

Great, great song. Can't praise it enough.

Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don't
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won't
Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Arie

When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
Every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be
And I know my creator didn't make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes; I'm lovin' what I see

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Arie

Am I less of a lady if I don't wear pantyhose?
My mama said a lady ain't what she wears but, what she knows
But, I've drawn a conclusion, it's all an illusion, confusion's the name of the
game
A misconception, a vast deception
Something's gotta change
Don't be offended this is all my opinion
ain't nothing that I'm sayin law
This is a true confession of a life learned lesson I was sent here to share with
y'all
So get in where you fit in go on and shine
Clear your mind, now's the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love yourself
'Cuz everything's gonna be all right

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I Learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Arie

Keep your fancy drinks and your expensive minks
I don't need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive car and your caviar
All I need is my guitar
Keep your Kristal and your pistol
I'd rather have a pretty piece of crystal
Don't need your silicon I prefer my own
What God gave me is just fine

I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Arie

[mtm4319]

gpduke said:

This song is a priceless gym.

Ehh?

I'm gonna beat Davey to the punch by saying this was annoying and overrated. I did like "I Am Not My Hair", though, enough to put it in the top 40 of my personal chart.

[gpduke]

mtm4319 said:

gpduke said:

This song is a priceless gym.

Ehh?

I'm gonna beat Davey to the punch by saying this was annoying and overrated. I did like "I Am Not My Hair", though, enough to put it in the top 40 of my personal chart.

Then how is it spelled?

And how is this annoying and/or overrated? An artist finally releases a good lyrical song (unlike "London Bridge," "Fergialicious," "Umbrella," "This is Why I'm Hot," "Girlfriend," "Buy U A Drank," "Party Like A Rockstar,") that actually has a meaning, a good message, and actually flows well with the song an it's annoying? And I don't really know how a song like this peaking at #21 is overrated.

[halo19]

It's "gem." And it's a fine enough song. I think the idea of it being overrated has to do with the acclaim the song/artist got. I mean there were 7 grammy nominations on that one, I believe.

[a Nick O!]

gpduke said:

Then how is it spelled?

Jim.

EDIT: Oh, curse you, Kirk. I was content to leave him hanging indefinitely.

It was a refreshing message, yes, and a good song, but lyrically a lot more interesting than musically.

[gpduke]

LOL...when I typed it, it looked weird, but then I tried to think of QVC when they have "Gem Week" and in my mind I saw "Gym" lol...

[a Nick O!]

gpduke said:

in my mind I saw "Gym"

Or as my buddy Nathan and I like to call it: "the James."

[halo19]

You guys are unintentionally reminding me of that Simpsons episode, you know, how he pronounced "gym" as "gime." A couple of my friends still like to say it like that.

[a Nick O!]

halo19 said:

You guys are unintentionally reminding me of that Simpsons episode, you know, how he pronounced "gym" as "gime." A couple of my friends still like to say it like that.

At the retro-chic bar I was at last night, instead of black-and-white soft-core '50's porn on the two TVs like the previous time I was there, they were running a season of The Simpsons on DVD (closed-captioned). One of the episodes was the one where Bart orders a $350 Itchy and Scratchy animation cel over the phone, using Homer's credit card.

"Uh, yes. My name is Homer Simpson, and I'd like to order an Itchy and Scratchy cel...My credit card? Uh, do you accept a Federal Breast Inspector's card? License to Ogle? Vysa?...Oh, yes, of course. That's what I meant. 'Visa.' It's these new dentures."

And the cel turned out to be just Scratchy's arm.

And, of course, now I've gotta include the classic comic book store scene:

Bart: Is this cel worth anything?
Comic Book Store Guy: *sighs* Let me show you something. This: This is a Snagglepuss drawn by Hic Heisler. It is worth something. This: This is an arm, drawn by nobody. It is worth nothing.
Bart: Can't you give me anything for it?
Comic Book Store Guy: I can give you this telephone. It is shaped like Mary Worth.
Bart: *disappointed groan*
Comic Book Store Guy: No groaning in my store.

[radical347]

How did I go two months without seeing this?

Anyway, I wouldn't call this "overrated" (except for the part about getting 7 grammy nods) so much as... garbage. This is not the way to introduce yourself to the musical world. It's pretentious, narcisistic, elementary, and just plain annoying.

[gpduke]

Eh, I think it has a good message. Showing girls (and I guess some guys) they don't have to look exactly like the person on the magazine cover who's had all kinds of edits done to them to make them look "perfect."

[Mega248]

I like the way the song sounds, but the lyrics annoy me.

[gpduke]

mega248 said:

I like the way the song sounds, but the lyrics annoy me.

So, like "Big Girls Don't Cry" and maybe "Rehab"?

[radical347]

gpduke said:

Eh, I think it has a good message. Showing girls (and I guess some guys) they don't have to look exactly like the person on the magazine cover who's had all kinds of edits done to them to make them look "perfect."

But she sounds like a 3rd grader trying to make herself feel better for being picked on.

[gpduke]

radical347 said:

gpduke said:

Eh, I think it has a good message. Showing girls (and I guess some guys) they don't have to look exactly like the person on the magazine cover who's had all kinds of edits done to them to make them look "perfect."

But she sounds like a 3rd grader trying to make herself feel better for being picked on.

I don't really perceive it that way, but I guess that's just how people vary.