I re-wrote “Blurred Lines,” and now it’s about CONSENT

            So I know I’m really late to the game on this, so I’ll be brief: Apparently there was a lot of controversy over this Robin Thicke song “Blurred Lines,” and to what extent the lyrics are “rape-y.” About a week ago I finally heard the song and watched the video, and here are my thoughts:

1. If you ignore the lyrics (keep the vocal cadences), the song is AWESOME. Just a total feel-good groove, completely infectious.
2. The song definitely trivializes sexual consent.
3. The video has its own issues, which I'm not touching.

           For a great analysis of the song and video, plus an excellent lesson-plan for analyzing consent in music, please read this post from the FearlessSexuality Educator.

           For a video of the song that has far fewer issues, please watch and listen to the Muppets parody video.

           Meanwhile, I re-wrote some of the lyrics in order to make the song about consent. My lines are underlined, and are replacing whatever lines have been struckthrough.

Enjoy!

[Intro: Pharrell]
Everybody get up (x2)
Hey, hey, hey (x3)

[Verse 1: Robin Thicke]
If you can't hear what I'm trying to say
If you can't read from the same page
Maybe I'm going deaf,
Maybe I'm going blind
Maybe I'm out of my mind I’m misreading signs

[Pharell:] Everybody get up

[Pre-chorus: Robin Thicke]
OK now he was close, tried to domesticate you
But you're an animal, baby, it's in your nature

You’re not an animal, we are not bound by nature
Just let me I'll ally to liberate you
(Hey, hey, hey) You don't need no papers
(Hey, hey, hey) That man is not your maker

[Chorus: Robin Thicke]
And that's why I'm gon' take a good girl find a fun one

I know hope you want it
I know So if you want it
I know Say that you want it
You're a good girl fun one

Can't let it get I’d let you past me
You're far from plastic
Talk about getting blasted Don’t need to be hassled
I hate these blurred lines
I know hope you want it
I know So if you want it
I know Say that you want it
But you're a good girl fun one

The way If you wanna grab me
Must If you wanna get nasty
Go ahead, get at me just ask me
[Pharell:] Everybody get up

[Verse 2: Robin Thicke]
What do they make dreams for
When you got them jeans on dance to this song
What do we need steam for
You the hottest bitch got the hottest moves in this place
I feel so lucky
(Hey, hey, hey) You wanna hug me?
(Hey, hey, hey) What rhymes with hug me?(Hey, hey, hey)

[Pre-chorus: Robin Thicke]
[Chorus: Robin Thicke]

[Verse 3: T.I.]
One thing I ask of you
Let me be the one you back that ass to
Go, from Malibu, to Paris, boo
Yeah, I had a bitch someone, but she ain't  bad rad as you
So hit me up when you passing through
I'll give you something a beat big enough to tear your ass in two dance your ass off to
Swag on, even when you dress casual
I mean it's almost unbearable
I still have to act responsible

Then, honey you're not there when I'm
With my foresight bitch hey, you pay like me by
Nothing like your last guy, he too square for you
He don't smack that ass and pull your hair

He don’t wait his turn and hold your hand like that
So I just watch and wait for you to salute
But you didn't pick
Not many Don’t think any women can refuse should deal with assholes pimpin'

I'm a nice guy, but don't get it if you get with me won’t get ugly if you say no to me

[Bridge: Robin Thicke]
Shake the vibe, get down, get up
Do it like it hurt, like it hurt
What you don't like work?
Unless it sounds like work

[Pre-chorus: Robin Thicke]
Baby can you breathe? I got this from Jamaica why don’t we smoke this spliffy
It always works for me, Dakota to Decatur,

But if we get high, then consent will be iffy, uh huh
No more pretending
(Hey, hey, hey) Cause now you winning
(Hey, hey, hey) Here's our beginning

[Chorus: Robin Thicke]

[Outro: Pharrell]
Everybody get up (x2)
Hey, hey, hey (x3)