'I Kissed a Girl'? I didn't like it
Trevor Shunk
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: Opinion
Human beings are creatures of habit. The way we choose to spend our time and things with which we surround ourselves inevitably affect not only who we are, but more importantly, who we will become.
A common American habit consists of getting into the car and flipping on the radio. Drawing its primary success from teenage girls, Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" has recently earned a number one spot on Billboard's "Hot 100," dominating radio airwaves across the nation.
Those of us who regularly listen to the radio have probably heard it multiple times. In an era of profane gangster rap and "bump-n-grind," perhaps this upbeat and seemingly innocent pop song has been considered a breath of fresh air.
Before drawing any conclusions, let's take a look at the lyrics listeners around the country have been singing:
"I got so brave, drink in hand
Lost my discretion …
I kissed a girl and I liked it
The taste of her cherry chapstick
I kissed a girl just to try it
I hope my boyfriend don't mind it
It felt so wrong
It felt so right
Don't mean I'm in love tonight …
No, I don't even know your name
It doesn't matter
You're my experimental game..."
You get the idea. What appears to be a teen-bop teenie-bopper classic actually describes a lesbian affair initiated by a girl who, having had one too many, throws discretion to the wind and pursues her raging sexual desires.
Although her conscience tells her she is wrong, she rationalizes her actions with the flawed perception that her actions are void of any moral or emotional consequences. She is not in love; she is simply engaging in an "experimental game" in which virtue loses out to instant gratification.
In Perry's world, the standards of right and wrong depend on the circumstances. By unfolding this mindless philosophy in her song, Perry encourages listeners to stop thinking and just go with the flow, no matter where it takes them.
A common American habit consists of getting into the car and flipping on the radio. Drawing its primary success from teenage girls, Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" has recently earned a number one spot on Billboard's "Hot 100," dominating radio airwaves across the nation.
Those of us who regularly listen to the radio have probably heard it multiple times. In an era of profane gangster rap and "bump-n-grind," perhaps this upbeat and seemingly innocent pop song has been considered a breath of fresh air.
Before drawing any conclusions, let's take a look at the lyrics listeners around the country have been singing:
"I got so brave, drink in hand
Lost my discretion …
I kissed a girl and I liked it
The taste of her cherry chapstick
I kissed a girl just to try it
I hope my boyfriend don't mind it
It felt so wrong
It felt so right
Don't mean I'm in love tonight …
No, I don't even know your name
It doesn't matter
You're my experimental game..."
You get the idea. What appears to be a teen-bop teenie-bopper classic actually describes a lesbian affair initiated by a girl who, having had one too many, throws discretion to the wind and pursues her raging sexual desires.
Although her conscience tells her she is wrong, she rationalizes her actions with the flawed perception that her actions are void of any moral or emotional consequences. She is not in love; she is simply engaging in an "experimental game" in which virtue loses out to instant gratification.
In Perry's world, the standards of right and wrong depend on the circumstances. By unfolding this mindless philosophy in her song, Perry encourages listeners to stop thinking and just go with the flow, no matter where it takes them.
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