So, you ever have those moments where, you know you’ve done something a million times or seen something a million times or heard something a million times, but then suddenly that million and first time, you finally “get” it. Yeah, so that happened to me...
While driving home from volunteer training (which admittedly I wrote this in a very raw and emotional state), the song Extraterrestrial by Katy Perry came on the radio. Now, I’ve heard this song before. I’ve sang along. But tonight, I’m singing along and all of a sudden, I realize what I’m actually saying. And before I realize it, I’m screaming at the radio, “WHAT THE EFF, KATY?”
I am a fan of her usually. Her album One of the Boys is my summer anthem music because it’s so peppy and reminds me of sunshine and fun. But when I really listened to her lyrics for Extraterrestrial, I liked her a little less. Here are the lyrics:
[Kanye West - Verse 1]
I got a dirty mind
I got filthy ways
I'm tryna bathe my ape, (ape),
In your milky way (way)
I'm a legend
I'm irreverent
I be reverend
I'll be so faaaaa-ar up
We don't give a fuuuh-uh-uck
Welcome to the danger zone
Step into the fantasy
You are not invited to the other side of sanity
They're callin' me an alien a big headed astronaut
Maybe it's because your boy Yeezy get ass a lot
[Katy Perry]
You're so hypnotizing
Could you be the devil?
Could you be an angel?
Your touch magnetizing
Feels like I am floating
Leaves my body glowing
They say, be afraid
You're not like the others
Futuristic lover
Different DNA
They don't understand you
[Bridge]
You're from a whole other world
A different dimension
You open my eyes
And I'm ready to go
Lead me into the light
[Chorus:]
Kiss me, kiss me
Infect me with your love and
Fill me with your poison
Take me, take me
Wanna be your victim
Ready for abduction
Boy, you're an alien
Your touch so foreign
It's supernatural
Extraterrestrial
You're so supersonic
Wanna feel your powers
Stun me with your laser
Your kiss is cosmic
Every move is magic
[Bridge] & [Chorus:]
[Kanye West - Verse 2]
I know a bar out in Mars
Where they drivin' spaceships instead of cars
Cop a prada space suit about the stars
Getting stupid hah, straight up out the jars
Pockets on shrek, rockets on deck
Tell me what's next? Alien sex.
Imma disrobe you
Then Imma probe you
See I've abducted you
So I'll tell you what to do
I tell you what to do (what to do, what to do)
[Katy Perry]
Kiss me, kiss me
Infect me with your love and
Fill me with your poison
Take me, take me
Wanna be a victim
Ready for abduction
Boy, you're an alien
Your touch so foreign
It's supernatural
Extraterrestrial
Extraterrestrial
Extraterrestrial
Boy, you're an alien
Your touch so foreign
It's supernatural
Extraterrestrial
I’ve already posted a very lengthy rant about Robin Thicke’s song Blurred Lines. This song is to me, worse than that one. Here’s why.
Point #1: Wanna be a victim, ready for abduction
There is a woman saying she wants to be a victim. Not only do women not want to be victimized, you’re discrediting survivors everywhere. Giving credence to those who says victims were “asking for it.” That’s incredibly disrespectful to survivors. Going through a victimization and learning to cope with what happened is unbelievably challenging. Not to mention those who would blame the victim. Now a woman is saying in a song that she’s willing to be victimized? It disgusts me.
Point#2: See I abducted you, so I tell you what to do
So basically Kanye, you’re going to rape. You’re saying that because you took physical control over this woman, that you have the right to tell her what to do, which also implies that she has to listen to what you tell her to do. Here’s the thing….NO. Abduction is wrong all by itself, but adding that the person you abducted also has to do what you want, which by implication is sexual activity, is an added level of horrible.
Point #3: Imma disrobe you, then Imma probe you.
Describing how you intend to rape...classy of you, Kanye.
Point #4: Welcome to the Danger Zone
The song starts with this opening gambit, essentially admitting it's an unsafe connection. It's possible they meant to reference the song Danger Zone. However, the several various implications put together into one unit spell trouble.
I know that people would probably argue that I’m reading too much into the lyrics. But I’m not. Those lyrics are obvious. Her stating she wants to be a victim is in the chorus. Is the song catchy? Sure. Did it used to be a song I enjoyed? Yeah. Does it now make me feel slightly revictimized and upset? Absolutely. I guess the point I am trying to make is there are plenty of topics to sing about, does it have to be sexually assaultive? For anyone else out there that might have felt victimized by the song, know you aren’t alone. It’s sad how much this topic actually permeates music. But that’s another topic for another time.
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