# "All About That Bass": harmless pop song or insult? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 16, 2014, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530 "2014-10-16T20:45:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/61 "2014-10-18T13:43:08Z")
The song is about the image of womanhood girls are raised to emulate and how that doesn’t match up with biology and accepting it. Everyone is dressed in Barbie gear and they’re dancing in a doll house. Seriously, it couldn’t be clearer. Shes beating you over the head with that message. Its a splash of cold truth about our culture so it’s not exactly harmless, and it’s definitely not an insult…unless you’re the CEO of Mattel or something. ---
**Author:** ![Abracadebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f04885/32.png) [@Abracadebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abracadebra)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/62 "2014-10-18T14:38:59Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I read the lyrics just to see if the song was about fish. I sense a Weird Al opportunity here. “I’m all about that bass, that bass No tackle” ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/63 "2014-10-18T20:57:15Z")
It’s also a song no one was willing to sing, so they had one of the writers do it. If only it didn’t get worse every time it repeats in my head, like “It’s a Small World.” Even Pokerface was better about that. The [educational Anaconda song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VxV717PRBU) is much, much better in that regard. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/64 "2014-10-18T21:27:01Z")
I interpret this as a self confidant woman who feels sexy and is proud of her appearance. She’s not intimidated by stick figure barbie doll women. She makes it clear in other verses that she’s got a lot of men interested in her. Bass of course is used because of the instrument’s shape. Curves and gets big on the bottom. Big butts are supposedly sexy these days. > [@](#): > > 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 ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/65 "2014-10-19T05:21:52Z")
[QUOTE=BigT] {snip} The [educational Anaconda song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VxV717PRBU) is much, much better in that regard. [/QUOTE] Sure, it’s real edumacashunal, but, [the version by Vintage Bluegrass Hoedown](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez-apj-Od1I) is catchier! ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/66 "2014-10-19T13:34:54Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The good thing about the song is that people can finally realize that this isn’t a “black” sound. If you mean that we’ve been so saturated by the fad of white female singers/rappers doing an affected imitation of African-American vocal patterns that it no longer seems unusual, then yeah, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/67 "2014-10-19T14:30:57Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > If you mean that we’ve been so saturated by the fad of white female singers/rappers doing an affected imitation of African-American vocal patterns that it no longer seems unusual, then yeah, I guess. I believe that was one of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2014, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/68 "2014-10-19T16:53:28Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I believe that was one of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals. Finally something worthwhile. In an odd way I feel better about the song since Meghan Whatshername isn’t hugely obese. Reassuring teenyboppers that normal isn’t bad is different from reassuring them that huge is beautiful. We had a thread a while back about some photographer taking studio photos of women who were up to 600# and saying that it was a new standard of beauty. Thank God this song isn’t that. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2014, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/69 "2014-10-21T18:40:27Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > All I know is, every time I hear this song, I think to myself, “Well, every song needs _some_ treble. I mean, come on.” Whenever it comes on I turn the treble and mid all the way down and the bass all the way up. It makes the song an unpleasant mess and infuriates one of my teenage daughters while making the other roll on the floor laughing. And because I know Weird Al will never stoop so low as to use a vulgar version, here’s the one I sing around the house. My mama she told me don’t worry about your size Cause them boys like a big ol’ fat booty and thunder thighs But mama, sweet mama, I know now that you were wrong Cause them boys run like hell when they see my ass in a thong Because it’s all about the boobs, bout the boobs 'dem titties It’s all about the boobs, bout the boobs 'dem titties … Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/70 "2014-12-22T01:14:37Z")
I just watched the video for this song for the first time today… Let me get this straight, Meghan Trainor is actually thin? ---
**Author:** ![Nema98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d2c977/32.png) [@Nema98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nema98)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/71 "2014-12-22T02:03:08Z")
Stupid song that is hypocritical and contradicts it’s own message, without knowing it. And did I tell you it’s terrible? ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/72 "2014-12-22T02:32:45Z")
I agree that it’s a false dichotomy. Slender can be sexy. Full-figured can be sexy. But to me, the jabs at skinny bitch stick figures smack of insecurity, and insecurity is _not_ sexy. If she were to do a song/video with a more confident “look how hot I am” vibe, it would be more convincing. Come to think of it, maybe she has done that, but I can’t be bothered to look. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/73 "2014-12-22T02:35:25Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > I just watched the video for this song for the first time today… > > Let me get this straight, Meghan Trainor is actually thin? Not by Hollywood standards, no. I think it’s a pretty dumb song, and the ‘‘skinny bitches’’ line irks me, but what irks me about it the most is that it’s still focused on body image, and do-ability. So, it’s not really breaking any barriers. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/74 "2014-12-22T02:45:09Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Not by Hollywood standards, no. So? Contrary to popular belief, there is not one set of beliefs shared by “Hollywood.” When the most popular singer in the world is Adele, it just amazes me that no one seems to have noticed that Trainor is actually pretty normal-sized. Not what I was expecting at all. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/75 "2014-12-22T02:55:11Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > So? Contrary to popular belief, there is not one set of beliefs shared by “Hollywood.” When the most popular singer in the world is Adele, it just amazes me that no one seems to have noticed that Trainor is actually pretty normal-sized. Not what I was expecting at all. Most of the YouTube comments on her video are about what a fat cow she is. Whether she is or is not standard sized for Hollywood is a pretty relevant question IMO because ostensibly that is what her song is about - challenging traditional standards of beauty. The fact that she’s ‘‘normal sized’’ IRL is less relevant than whether she is ‘‘normal sized’’ in the context of performance art. And yes, Adele is super popular but I wasn’t under the impression she’s been marketed as a sex symbol (though she has no doubt become one to many.) And of course all the YouTube comments also point out what a fat cow she is. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/76 "2014-12-22T03:27:49Z")
I should probably clarify that I’m not calling Trainor or Adele a fat cow, nor do I think anybody should be called a fat cow. Just that I think Trainor’s message isn’t invalidated by her status as normal-sized, in a context where normal-sized is considered fat. I do think her message is somewhat invalidated by her own song, though. Sometimes I wish we could ditch the ‘‘you’re beautiful just as you are’’ message to women and instead do something really radical, like, ‘‘maybe you’re not beautiful and that’s okay because there is so much more to life than being beautiful.’’ Wishful thinking, I admit. ---
**Author:** ![Barking\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Barking\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barking_Dog)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/77 "2014-12-22T03:36:40Z")
I had no idea that’s what that song was about. I just thought the young lady really liked turning up the bass on her stereo. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/78 "2014-12-22T08:17:33Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Most of the YouTube comments on her video are about what a fat cow she is. Again, so? Internet comments are useless on a good day, and YouTube comments are several orders of magnitude worse than that. Basically, I’m just irritated that the entertainment press always acts astonished whenever something gender-related happens in the entertainment even if that thing that hasn’t before. Just because Meghan Trainor is slightly bigger than the average singer is not in any way remarkable in a world that includes Adele. Especially because that song is ridiculously earworm-y. The same goes for the female-led movie thing. The Hunger Games is not a surprise after Bridesmaids and Bridesmaids wasn’t a surprise after Sex and the City and so on… ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/79 "2014-12-22T10:10:57Z")
I thought it was in this thread where I learned this, but I guess I didn’t. The “skinny bitches” line is immediately followed by her saying “No, I’m just playing. I know you think you’re fat/But I’m here to tell ya/Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top.” But, anyways, I came in to say I have a new favorite [version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lIR6nZGk0g). Sorry the video is a bit shaky, but they only do it live, and you don’t really need to watch it all that much, despite the “choreography.” ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2014, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530/80 "2014-12-22T10:13:43Z")
Meghan Trainor has very thick thighs. I don’t think “thin” is an apt descriptor. In lots of countries, she’d be considered well into the heavier end of the curve. Maybe not where you are. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-about-that-bass-harmless-pop-song-or-insult/701530.md?page=5)