Heard a 30’s-ish woman the other day do a cover of the 4 Non Blondes song “What’s Up?”.
What is it with women of that age (my age) and that song?
I have heard this song covered in clubs on numerous occasions over the years, always by women of my age group (currently mid-thirties). It should be noted- and I note this with emphasis- many of the times that I’ve heard this song covered, it has been by women who themselves are wonderful songwriters and who generally have good taste. Surely these accomplished artists would be expected to mime gagging expressions in response to this song- yet, here they are covering it!
Any 30’s-ish women Dopers who can offer any insight?
This song is certainly on the soundtrack of our college years, but so are a lot of other crap songs.
(P.S., opened the Intense songs by women Thread hoping I wouldn’t see this song. Thankfully it’s not listed. May be just another indication of superior taste by Dopers, may just be that no 30’s-ish women have not found that Thread yet.)
typo
Women of a certain generation (Millennial, Post-X) feel conflicting pressures to be tough and cute, and this song embodies an attempt to be both. That’s my take.
I’ve never heard this song covered, but I don’t find it particularly mysterious. “What’s Up?” was a huge hit in 1993, when women currently in their 30s were in high school or college. If such a woman felt like covering a song from her youth this is a fairly obvious choice, especially since the original singer/songwriter was also a woman. Although “What’s Up?” was definitely overplayed in the mid-90s I don’t think it’s a particularly bad song in and of itself.
Another possible factor is that while Linda Perry’s success as a singer was short-lived, she remains a successful songwriter and producer. Given the very few women to ever become successful record producers, I would guess that some women in the music business see Perry as an inspiring figure. FWIW she’s also an out lesbian, and since far more audience members would recognize “What’s Up?” than would know or remember Perry’s sexual orientation there may be some lesbian musicians who consider it a sort of in-joke to cover Perry’s big hit. That’s just my guess, though.
I’m 38, and I hate that song with the fire of a thousand suns. I’m sure Linda Perry is a lovely and otherwise talented person, but her voice (at least on that song) makes my teeth itch.
Yeah, I’m a guy in my late 20’s, not particularly inclined to listen to female singers*, and I think that while it was really overplayed and my Mom liked it, it was catchy enough and not really a bad song. Reading Lamia’s post I didn’t even have any idea about the rest of her career, which does seem impressive. Plus, sometimes people just cover songs somewhat ironically–sometimes it’s just fun to play “old” songs that are part of your generational soundtrack.
*though I certainly do respect the good ones, it’s just not what I prefer to listen to most of the time.
Oh, absolutely they like it. They not only like it, but seem to have some genuine life connection with it, a connection that seems pretty widely held by women in that age group who otherwise show pretty discerning taste.
Like it’s the song that was playing when they were given their first toaster oven.
my apparently conservative Spanish teacher in 8th grade dismissively remarked that this was a song about feminism and women trying to achieve equality. If you read the lyrics, it makes sense.
Wasn’t that “You gotta’ be strong, you gotta’ be tough, you gotta’ be wiser” song the anthem of urban corporate climbing uberwomen for a few years a while ago?
I find the OP ironic because I am a woman of that certain age and I loathe this song. I’m a little disturbed to find that it somehow became emblematic of my cohort. Ew.
I hate this song as well, but I can see how it would strike some as a feminist anthem and clearly Linda Perry’s success was due to her musical chops, not her body, gyrating dance moves, etc.
A buddy of mine and I used to perform this song at open mic all the time. It was a hit, and everyone my age knows it. And, it’s fun to sing, “hey-ay-ay-aaay, hey-ay-ay, I said hey! What’s goin’ on?”
Look, I’m not going to read the feminist post Bush agenda. I believe it is a poweful arrangement and vocal accomplishment. No matter how they sing it they will always carry their own voice. It is distinctive, profound, and prodigous melodically and lyrically. It is also a greeat warbling song… As many evolutionists know, the sweet birdsong calls the prospective mate. It is also, I believe a direct descendent of other Feminist/Humanist singers that certainly had connections to the Bay. Janis, Joan, and Grace.
That’s exactly what I was going to say - on a purely physical level, the song is fun to sing - it’s a big caterwaul, which is what is clearly putting off a bunch of you guys. So, I suppose in some ways, it’s a self-indulgent thing. It’s kinda like Janis with Another Piece of My Heart - it’s fun to howl in the car with the windows rolled up.
