So my comments on Katy Perry’s “I Kissed Girl” are now part of a discussion on Billboard.com. That’s the website for Billboard, a music industry magazine that I read obsessively. (I need to know who’s number one, y’all!)
Fred Bronson, who writes a Billboard.com column called Chart Beat, printed a letter that I wrote arguing that the song does not have a gay-positive message (It’s basically the argument I made it my post, only shorter.)
He disagrees with me, but that’s cool. I’m excited to be included in the discussion.
So where do y’all come down on the Katy Perry phenomenon?
5 responses so far ↓
1 Alex // Jun 22, 2008 at 7:53 am
Personally, I think it’s definitely got a hint of negative gay message in it. Consider her last single, “UR So Gay”, where she lists off about 20 stereotypically effeminate characteristics of her ex-boyfriend, then proceeds to tell him “You’re so gay and you don’t even like boys”. Essentially equating homosexuality in men as being inherently synonymous with emasculation. She seems to have a real set of hangups surrounding homosexuality that I really don’t understand, although they’re really a fantastic reflection of the culture we live in. It’s too bad that instead of satirizing and rising above this aspect of our society, she’s essentially acting as the prime depiction of it instead.
2 Mark Blankenship // Jun 22, 2008 at 10:55 pm
I hear you, Alex. I mentioned “UR So Gay” in my post here on The Critical Condition a few weeks ago, but then like a doof, I forgot to put it in my letter to Billboard. I was so wrapped up in crafting the letter just right that I got sidetracked.
Anyway, to me, the two songs combined add up to a less-than-flattering public persona for ole K.P.
3 JNez // Jun 27, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Getting a letter printed in Billboard’s chart beat chat is a big deal dude! congrats!
I’ve followed Billboard obsessively for the past 22 years (geez it’s been that long) since i was a wee lad of 13. Amazing that my memory of the charts is so accurate that I only look to the chart rewinds to confirm my recollections.
Bronson’s an arse…I’ll always consider that column Paul Grein’s anyway. Thank goodness he blogs weekly for yahoo about the top albums.
So whaddaya think about Camp Rock’s imminent chart takeover?? Man my daughters have me hooked!
4 Mark Blankenship // Jun 27, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Yo Jnez! I have to say… I think some of those Camp Rock songs are pretty good. I’m probably way too old to like The Jonas Brothers, but I do. There! I said it!
5 Kerri // Jul 4, 2008 at 1:48 pm
i can’t find your post on billboard.com
(are they at 770 bway, btw?)
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