The men don't know, but the little girls understand
February 28, 2024 4:56 AM Subscribe
I'm about as far from this record's target demographic as it's possible to get, but I know a great pop single when I hear one. And THIS is a great pop single: Caity Baser: I'm a Problem
I take your point about the flappers, but it seems to me that what I shall call "bad girl pop" never really goes away. Wouldn't the Shangri-Las, the Runaways, Madonna, the Spice Girls, Brittany Spears and Miley Cyrus all fit the definition too?
Also, I forgot to mention the Baser song's radio edit.
posted by Paul Slade at 6:25 AM on February 28 [4 favorites]
Also, I forgot to mention the Baser song's radio edit.
posted by Paul Slade at 6:25 AM on February 28 [4 favorites]
Might want to have the mods fix her name? It’s Baser, not Blaser.
posted by not just everyday big moggies at 7:03 AM on February 28
posted by not just everyday big moggies at 7:03 AM on February 28
Mod note: Name correction in post and comment!
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 7:47 AM on February 28
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 7:47 AM on February 28
A bit in the same category as Lady Sovereign
posted by Ansible at 8:30 AM on February 28 [6 favorites]
posted by Ansible at 8:30 AM on February 28 [6 favorites]
that video is about as subtle as the dumbest shit we used to see in hair metal of the 80s
like, "Smokin' in the Boys Room" level dumb
I am yucking the yum here but I'm just too old for this stuff
posted by elkevelvet at 9:01 AM on February 28 [4 favorites]
like, "Smokin' in the Boys Room" level dumb
I am yucking the yum here but I'm just too old for this stuff
posted by elkevelvet at 9:01 AM on February 28 [4 favorites]
I'm all for lyrics that tells girls they can strong, resilient, brave, independent, purposeful, bold, persistent, decisive, even annoying--that's great stuff.
I can't get behind lyrics that tells girls they are a problem! Too many girls out there think that THEY really ARE a problem, not that what they do or how they act is problematic.
This old lady feels like the song ostensibly tells girls it's fine to do what you want-- even if the olds think you're bratty and acting out--'cause that's OK and cool, but what it's repeating is that they aren't valuable or useful or necessary.
The song doesn't tell them to be strong, purposeful, and proud. Write me a song with lyrics that say I'M A SOLUTION.
posted by BlueHorse at 9:02 AM on February 28 [2 favorites]
I can't get behind lyrics that tells girls they are a problem! Too many girls out there think that THEY really ARE a problem, not that what they do or how they act is problematic.
This old lady feels like the song ostensibly tells girls it's fine to do what you want-- even if the olds think you're bratty and acting out--'cause that's OK and cool, but what it's repeating is that they aren't valuable or useful or necessary.
The song doesn't tell them to be strong, purposeful, and proud. Write me a song with lyrics that say I'M A SOLUTION.
posted by BlueHorse at 9:02 AM on February 28 [2 favorites]
god, metafilter feels old sometimes.
posted by sagc at 9:19 AM on February 28 [22 favorites]
posted by sagc at 9:19 AM on February 28 [22 favorites]
I can't get behind lyrics that tells girls they are a problem! Too many girls out there think that THEY really ARE a problem, not that what they do or how they act is problematic.
Nah, I trust kids to get the irony here. I need to watch it a few more times to catch all the lyrics, to be sure, but what I got from my first watch was joyous defiance in the faces of all those who expect her to be and act a certain way, and that's valuable in itself. Shouting "I'M A PROBLEM!" doesn't mean internalizing that view of yourself. It can mean laughing off the people who see you that way, which is what I get from this.
Also, it just kicks ass.
I love how, in my lifetime, punk used to look like, well, punk. Then it looked like rap. And now it looks like dance-pop. And maybe that's a little facile (as Paul Slade mentioned, "Bad Girl Pop" has always been with us in some form or another) but I've seen this as a broad trend, and I think another way of looking at that is "whose punk attitudes are we embracing?" First the lower-class white kids, then Black culture, and now young women. It's a sign of progress, in a way.
posted by Navelgazer at 9:36 AM on February 28 [9 favorites]
Nah, I trust kids to get the irony here. I need to watch it a few more times to catch all the lyrics, to be sure, but what I got from my first watch was joyous defiance in the faces of all those who expect her to be and act a certain way, and that's valuable in itself. Shouting "I'M A PROBLEM!" doesn't mean internalizing that view of yourself. It can mean laughing off the people who see you that way, which is what I get from this.
Also, it just kicks ass.
I love how, in my lifetime, punk used to look like, well, punk. Then it looked like rap. And now it looks like dance-pop. And maybe that's a little facile (as Paul Slade mentioned, "Bad Girl Pop" has always been with us in some form or another) but I've seen this as a broad trend, and I think another way of looking at that is "whose punk attitudes are we embracing?" First the lower-class white kids, then Black culture, and now young women. It's a sign of progress, in a way.
posted by Navelgazer at 9:36 AM on February 28 [9 favorites]
The song doesn't tell them to be strong, purposeful, and proud. Write me a song with lyrics that say I'M A SOLUTION.
That is what Elmo is for.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 9:44 AM on February 28 [8 favorites]
That is what Elmo is for.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 9:44 AM on February 28 [8 favorites]
Am old but like this. Reminds me of some of Lily Allen's stuff. (Just discovered that there are some producers in common between Lily Allen and Caity Baser.)
The kids are smart enough to get the irony and cheekiness of this.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 9:46 AM on February 28 [6 favorites]
The kids are smart enough to get the irony and cheekiness of this.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 9:46 AM on February 28 [6 favorites]
The song doesn't tell them to be strong, purposeful, and proud.
Actually, I think that's exactly what it does tell them. Her delivery of the song's title line and the very upbeat music behind it doesn't convey any suggestion of her being worried or depressed, but just the opposite. It's a celebratory and joyfully defiant statement: "Yeah, this is who I am, and you may not like it, but TOUGH SHIT!"
That's how I hear it anyway, and I'm convinced the vast majority of the song's young audience would take that as the message too.
It's also worth saying that pop music doesn't always have to have the solemn,wholesome values of a Sesame Street episode - sometimes it can just be fun and a bit irresponsible and a way of asserting your own identity against those you see as always bossing you about.
posted by Paul Slade at 9:46 AM on February 28 [7 favorites]
Actually, I think that's exactly what it does tell them. Her delivery of the song's title line and the very upbeat music behind it doesn't convey any suggestion of her being worried or depressed, but just the opposite. It's a celebratory and joyfully defiant statement: "Yeah, this is who I am, and you may not like it, but TOUGH SHIT!"
That's how I hear it anyway, and I'm convinced the vast majority of the song's young audience would take that as the message too.
It's also worth saying that pop music doesn't always have to have the solemn,wholesome values of a Sesame Street episode - sometimes it can just be fun and a bit irresponsible and a way of asserting your own identity against those you see as always bossing you about.
posted by Paul Slade at 9:46 AM on February 28 [7 favorites]
Yeah it seems overwhelmingly clear to me from the lyrics and the videos that she is a "problem" for people and institutions who suck. Everyone should be that problem.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 9:50 AM on February 28 [6 favorites]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 9:50 AM on February 28 [6 favorites]
I can't get behind lyrics that tells girls they are a problem! Too many girls out there think that THEY really ARE a problem, not that what they do or how they act is problematic.
so i'm curious why "i'm a problem" resulted in that reaction and swift's song "anti-hero" does not?
posted by i used to be someone else at 9:59 AM on February 28 [2 favorites]
so i'm curious why "i'm a problem" resulted in that reaction and swift's song "anti-hero" does not?
posted by i used to be someone else at 9:59 AM on February 28 [2 favorites]
The song doesn't tell them to be strong, purposeful, and proud. Write me a song with lyrics that say I'M A SOLUTION.
I get what you’re saying, but God damn am I tired of the expectation that girls and women should be a solution all the time. I’m tired of being strong and purposeful and a good example.
posted by corey flood at 10:03 AM on February 28 [10 favorites]
I get what you’re saying, but God damn am I tired of the expectation that girls and women should be a solution all the time. I’m tired of being strong and purposeful and a good example.
posted by corey flood at 10:03 AM on February 28 [10 favorites]
I hate to be someone that just drops a negative comment in a thread but I would have liked this video a lot more if it didn't start off with a group of mostly-Black people being used to represent the bullies who gossip about and antagonize the white singer.
posted by capricorn at 10:03 AM on February 28
posted by capricorn at 10:03 AM on February 28
like. the song's pre-chorus has this line:
the song ends quite literally with lyrics that state the following:
i mean, yeah, i guess we can worry about people with shit media literacy taking it at 100% face value given the discourse around helldivers and superearth, but i'd wager that most will understand the irony here?
posted by i used to be someone else at 10:05 AM on February 28 [5 favorites]
Oh, God forbid a woman knows how to get it done
the song ends quite literally with lyrics that state the following:
If you're a problemthere's nothing about being the solution, and the ending "sorry i'm a problem" is the very same way people say "sorry you suck ass"
Put your middle fingers up, say that we don't give a fuck 'cause
We don't give a fuck!
i mean, yeah, i guess we can worry about people with shit media literacy taking it at 100% face value given the discourse around helldivers and superearth, but i'd wager that most will understand the irony here?
posted by i used to be someone else at 10:05 AM on February 28 [5 favorites]
It's a cute tune. Folks have already charted some of its DNA. It has that Toni Basil "Mickey" cheerleader-with-an-attitude vibe for me.
Lyrics-wise:
"You say I'm trouble, well I say that I'm fun
You're all stuck up and clever and I'd rather be dumb"
I don't think "I'd rather be dumb" is great messaging. I mean, "clever" and "stuck up" aren't inseparable; one can be "stuck up" and "dumb." And I don't think she means "stoopid," like The Ramones or early Beasties. So, given the timeline in which we're currently stuck and the anti-intellectualism that is the backdrop for most things in popular culture, telling young women it's cool to be dumb might not be the best tack to take.
That said, I am miles outside its target demo, so, as a philosopher once said, whatever never mind.
posted by the sobsister at 10:39 AM on February 28
Lyrics-wise:
"You say I'm trouble, well I say that I'm fun
You're all stuck up and clever and I'd rather be dumb"
I don't think "I'd rather be dumb" is great messaging. I mean, "clever" and "stuck up" aren't inseparable; one can be "stuck up" and "dumb." And I don't think she means "stoopid," like The Ramones or early Beasties. So, given the timeline in which we're currently stuck and the anti-intellectualism that is the backdrop for most things in popular culture, telling young women it's cool to be dumb might not be the best tack to take.
That said, I am miles outside its target demo, so, as a philosopher once said, whatever never mind.
posted by the sobsister at 10:39 AM on February 28
no strong feelings about this song or video. the message i took away was definitely "you don't get to judge me." which i would rather see 10/10 times than "be good."
posted by prefpara at 10:40 AM on February 28 [1 favorite]
posted by prefpara at 10:40 AM on February 28 [1 favorite]
"a group of mostly-Black people"
Um, what? The lighting is a bit dark so it's not super easy to parse skin tones, but I counted two black women out of seven people in a line. (One person has their back to the camera in a large hat, so I couldn't say what ethnicity/race they seem to be.) That's not at all "mostly."
Not to mention the fact that the two black women are shown as part of the good, problematic group dancing with Baser in the video.
posted by oddman at 10:41 AM on February 28 [4 favorites]
Um, what? The lighting is a bit dark so it's not super easy to parse skin tones, but I counted two black women out of seven people in a line. (One person has their back to the camera in a large hat, so I couldn't say what ethnicity/race they seem to be.) That's not at all "mostly."
Not to mention the fact that the two black women are shown as part of the good, problematic group dancing with Baser in the video.
posted by oddman at 10:41 AM on February 28 [4 favorites]
It's a catchy-as-hell enjoyable earworm. Will listen again :)
posted by fikri at 11:01 AM on February 28
posted by fikri at 11:01 AM on February 28
I don't think "I'd rather be dumb" is great messaging.
I heard her as saying "I'd rather you think me dumb than try to jump through whatever hoops would be necessary for you to invite me to sit at your stuck-up clever table."
posted by straight at 11:04 AM on February 28 [6 favorites]
I heard her as saying "I'd rather you think me dumb than try to jump through whatever hoops would be necessary for you to invite me to sit at your stuck-up clever table."
posted by straight at 11:04 AM on February 28 [6 favorites]
Thanks, straight. That's a good alternative.
posted by the sobsister at 11:17 AM on February 28
posted by the sobsister at 11:17 AM on February 28
I hate to be someone that just drops a negative comment in a thread but I would have liked this video a lot more if it didn't start off with a group of mostly-Black people being used to represent the bullies who gossip about and antagonize the white singer.
Aside from the very first girl sending the mean (tweet, comment, whatever), all those girls are dancing with her throughout the video. I don't think they're meant to represent bullies, just one way communication happens.
posted by oneirodynia at 11:20 AM on February 28
Aside from the very first girl sending the mean (tweet, comment, whatever), all those girls are dancing with her throughout the video. I don't think they're meant to represent bullies, just one way communication happens.
posted by oneirodynia at 11:20 AM on February 28
Also there is another song that has the same sort of hand-clapping break from like the last 10-15?? years and I can't remember what it is and it is driving me crazy.
posted by oneirodynia at 11:21 AM on February 28
posted by oneirodynia at 11:21 AM on February 28
This song is fun, but she's got a bunch of real bangers, maybe not as much to like or discuss lyrically as this one, but "Kiss You" and "STD" are catchy as hell and the video for "Leave Me Alone" has some pretty great parody of dumb romcom tropes. She's got some hilarious comic expressions and antics in her videos.
posted by straight at 11:27 AM on February 28
posted by straight at 11:27 AM on February 28
Also there is another song that has the same sort of hand-clapping break from like the last 10-15?? years and I can't remember what it is and it is driving me crazy.
Got it! The Ting-Tings "That's Not My Name". No hand clapping but pretty obviously "Mickey" inspired. Now I can get on with my day.
posted by oneirodynia at 11:35 AM on February 28 [3 favorites]
Got it! The Ting-Tings "That's Not My Name". No hand clapping but pretty obviously "Mickey" inspired. Now I can get on with my day.
posted by oneirodynia at 11:35 AM on February 28 [3 favorites]
I'm just glad to see the young people having a good time.
posted by The Manwich Horror at 11:41 AM on February 28 [3 favorites]
posted by The Manwich Horror at 11:41 AM on February 28 [3 favorites]
10 out of 10 and exactly what I needed to hear today. I just wish I'd heard it beFORE I went to debase myself by begging for some common decency from some Walter A. Hole chamber of commerce types who are of course all "CEOs of big corporate companies" who were recently (and likely illegally but it doesn't matter, he'll get away with it) appointed by my state's monstrous governor to gut our city-owned utility because the governor's pissed off that the money from power bills gets folded back into the utility and the (democratic) city instead of spirited away to investors as it would be if the utility were only the big corporate company he's trying to turn it into. I very much would like to be exactly this sort of PROBLEM for them.
posted by Don Pepino at 12:07 PM on February 28 [5 favorites]
posted by Don Pepino at 12:07 PM on February 28 [5 favorites]
In order to get the irony, you have to extend to young women and girls the benefit of the doubt.
posted by tigrrrlily at 3:01 PM on February 28 [4 favorites]
posted by tigrrrlily at 3:01 PM on February 28 [4 favorites]
Having seen some other stuff from her now, also a lot of Kate Nash energy going on there. (Which is, for me, a good thing)
posted by Navelgazer at 3:26 PM on February 28
posted by Navelgazer at 3:26 PM on February 28
This song kicks cutie-patootie.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 7:09 PM on February 28 [1 favorite]
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 7:09 PM on February 28 [1 favorite]
When your only tool is overthinking, everything looks like a plate of beans.
posted by skyscraper at 7:34 AM on February 29 [4 favorites]
posted by skyscraper at 7:34 AM on February 29 [4 favorites]
Fun track, production is most strongly reminiscent of mid-2000s Gwen Stefani (i.e., that distinctive Neptunes sound) to me.
posted by LooseFilter at 7:45 AM on February 29 [1 favorite]
posted by LooseFilter at 7:45 AM on February 29 [1 favorite]
I am old, I am male, and I absolutely see (and love) the irony and sass in this song. It's not one I'd listen to over and over, but it was good, and made me smile.
Now I'll go back to my kaiju lofi.
posted by lhauser at 6:11 PM on February 29
Now I'll go back to my kaiju lofi.
posted by lhauser at 6:11 PM on February 29
Problem.
Eat your heart out on a plastic tray
You don't do what you want
Then you'll fade away
You won't find me working nine to five
It's too much fun being alive
I'm using my feet for my human machine
You won't find me living for the screen
Are you lonely? All needs catered
You got your brains dehydrated
Problem, problem
Problem, the problem is you
What you gonna do?
Problem, problem
Problem, problem
Problem, the problem is you
What you gonna do with your problem?
The problem is you, problem
posted by storybored at 9:47 PM on February 29
Eat your heart out on a plastic tray
You don't do what you want
Then you'll fade away
You won't find me working nine to five
It's too much fun being alive
I'm using my feet for my human machine
You won't find me living for the screen
Are you lonely? All needs catered
You got your brains dehydrated
Problem, problem
Problem, the problem is you
What you gonna do?
Problem, problem
Problem, problem
Problem, the problem is you
What you gonna do with your problem?
The problem is you, problem
posted by storybored at 9:47 PM on February 29
I've had a chance to catch up with the rest of Baser's stuff now, and had a great time doing so. She's got about 20 tracks out altogether, all with that joyful pop sensibility, witty lyrics and a no-bullshit look at the endless pressures young women have to navigate these days.
Besides the two excellent tracks linked by straight above, I'd particularly recommend:
Friendly Sex
Lil CB
Slut Shaming
MIA
Jimmy Choos
posted by Paul Slade at 4:30 AM on March 1
Besides the two excellent tracks linked by straight above, I'd particularly recommend:
Friendly Sex
Lil CB
Slut Shaming
MIA
Jimmy Choos
posted by Paul Slade at 4:30 AM on March 1
Played I’m a Problem for my 14 year old and she shot it down with a “so edgy” quip. So, I tried Leave Me Alone and it got a tiny bit of traction because it reminded her of recent experiences with high school boys, but it too was quickly found wanting. Kiss You also went down in flames, though it did prompt her to say she would have liked this stuff back when she was in grade 6 or 7, nowadays she mostly likes RnB and 90s music.
She probably still likes The Ting Tings’ That’s Not My Name and she did sing out a bit of Siouxsie’s Happy House. So, I am pleased by our Caity experience. Even better, after I gave up and went back to revisiting old That Petrol Emotion songs, she clearly enjoyed Big Decision.
And I guess if I need her to get that punk attitude that was mentioned I’ll just play her Fuck You by The Subhumans. Then I can remind her that her toddler self met the singer at Occupy.
posted by house-goblin at 9:15 AM on March 1 [1 favorite]
She probably still likes The Ting Tings’ That’s Not My Name and she did sing out a bit of Siouxsie’s Happy House. So, I am pleased by our Caity experience. Even better, after I gave up and went back to revisiting old That Petrol Emotion songs, she clearly enjoyed Big Decision.
And I guess if I need her to get that punk attitude that was mentioned I’ll just play her Fuck You by The Subhumans. Then I can remind her that her toddler self met the singer at Occupy.
posted by house-goblin at 9:15 AM on March 1 [1 favorite]
she shot it down with a “so edgy” quip [...] it did prompt her to say she would have liked this stuff back when she was in grade 6 or 7
I surrender.
posted by Paul Slade at 12:26 PM on March 1 [1 favorite]
I surrender.
posted by Paul Slade at 12:26 PM on March 1 [1 favorite]
It's not like 14-year-olds are impressed with any of the other music we listen to, so might as well carry on if you like this.
posted by straight at 10:14 PM on March 1
posted by straight at 10:14 PM on March 1
Hey, as long as 14-year-olds are still singing Siouxsie, something is right in this world.
posted by Navelgazer at 10:26 PM on March 1 [2 favorites]
posted by Navelgazer at 10:26 PM on March 1 [2 favorites]
And what you say about her summary
Is what you say about society
I surrender. Seems a safe course. Just don't give yourself away. If it's any consolation, I probably tainted the test by expressing some positivity about Caity's vid instead of saying something like: "How bad is this?"
It's not like 14-year-olds are impressed with any of the other music we listen to, so might as well carry on if you like this
Yes to the latter statement, but the former was spoken like a true old that just doesn't understand. Case in point, if you like Lana Del Rey you will probably win a softspoken "cool." Boy Genius might also apply, but they may be last season.
Hey, as long as 14-year-olds are still singing Siouxsie, something is right in this world
That's definitely one of my main takeaways. BTW, off and on, she's been a Siouxsie fan since grades 3 or 4. That, more or less, came out of some disgruntlement on my part with her Melanie Martinez phase.
posted by house-goblin at 1:46 PM on March 2
Is what you say about society
I surrender. Seems a safe course. Just don't give yourself away. If it's any consolation, I probably tainted the test by expressing some positivity about Caity's vid instead of saying something like: "How bad is this?"
It's not like 14-year-olds are impressed with any of the other music we listen to, so might as well carry on if you like this
Yes to the latter statement, but the former was spoken like a true old that just doesn't understand. Case in point, if you like Lana Del Rey you will probably win a softspoken "cool." Boy Genius might also apply, but they may be last season.
Hey, as long as 14-year-olds are still singing Siouxsie, something is right in this world
That's definitely one of my main takeaways. BTW, off and on, she's been a Siouxsie fan since grades 3 or 4. That, more or less, came out of some disgruntlement on my part with her Melanie Martinez phase.
posted by house-goblin at 1:46 PM on March 2
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Bratz dolls upgraded for the 2020's
For that matter, this is a one hundred year cycle. The image being marketed is the same as the flappers from the 1920s. Frenetic, sexy, disobedient and highly decorative, all set to a catchy dance beat.
It helps a little girl dream. They might be stuck having to wait for their parent to give them a lift any time they get permission to go somewhere, but one day they TOO will be dancing at a club and shocking everyone with how tough they are and how they have the most amazing hair and make up.
posted by Jane the Brown at 5:32 AM on February 28 [7 favorites]