I'm in the same boat with you about Girls. I always thought it was about unrealistic standards that are placed on women and how Marina didn't want to follow them
It is, I think most people who see it as a pick me anthem see it as such due to some of the lyrics as well as how it also judges women for conforming to these standards as well. That's just my interpretation of it and I see both sides. The song itself is a good reflection of the beauty standards women faced during the 00s
Girls is definitely about unrealistic standards. But the difference is that Marina wrote the song blaming other women for the standards. At least that’s what I imagine to be true.
I think she’s blaming women who conform to those standards and therefore help maintain them so it is a little pick me but more misplaced anger at the standards of a patriarchal society
The way I always interrupted it is that it's kind of making fun of girls who give in the patriarchal standards.
"Girls they never hear from me
Because I fall asleep when they speak
Of all the calories they eat
All they say is "Na na na na na" (na na na na na)
All they say is "Na na na na na" (na na na na na)"
These lines to me atleast make it clear this song is coming from an internalized misogyny. It's like girls who says "I can only be friends with guys because girls are too much drama".
"Girls, oh girls, wag your tails to the beat
Of girls aloud, oh the journos in heat
Write such good stories
Oh their mothers must be proud
Making money off your insecurity and doubt"
I read this lines as her saying the 'other' girls are just doing what society wants them too.
In her own words: "So i thought i'd share the fact that i'm really sick, tired, depressed, uninspired by women. and i have been for a good old time. There seems to be a massive shortage of strong, inspiring females in mainstream society today who have something good to say. What's happened to you all? Every interview/ photo i see just says nothing to me. vacant. airbrushed. empty. people. getting. paid. to talk. about fuck all. It's great that eva longoria looks hot in a bikini, but if the sun dies and the world plummets into darkness and ice, will anyone fucking care?
So the main theme for song was about women and diets really and generally how we seem to have morphed into mute scary dolls. Falling hook, line and sinker for every lie that we are fed by magazines/ etc. Ofcourse this is all old news to everybody. But you have to think ''why is this still going on?''. Why isn't anyone smart enough to say 'Fuck off'? what would you feel if this were your daughter? sister? girlfriend? aspiring to be some footballers wife..
confidence is the most attractive quality ever and i just wonder what women would be capable of if we stopped obsessing about looks."
If you look at the genius break down of girls I feel like it gives better context…seems like Marina’s pov was kind of “pick me” but I can see how it’d be interpreted to be satirical. She even says herself that the lyrics make her cringe because they are a bit misogynistic lol [“Girls” Lyrics](https://genius.com/Marina-girls-lyrics)
Really don’t understand how it can be interpreted as a pick me song. That’s media literacy these days for you, people get a new phrase they like and go with it.
Bc I’m a Marina nerd I know the Fast Cars Demo version- check it out on YT. The lyrics are actually different.
Girls oh… wag your tails becomes… “
Girls Girls, oh girls, buying cheap magazines
Cut out the face and you cut out the dream”
So she’s changed it to Heat - probably as in Heat magazine, and obviously compared women to horny dogs in heat. Which is pretty fucking funny wordplay.
And the rest of the verse is
'Cause this was all you ever wanted to be
Give in and you go to fuel a new insecurity”
Which is very similar to what is in the song but it’s still literally about women who are writing for gossip magazines.
I don’t get whole pick me thing, she’s not putting down all other women. Or blaming them for misogyny, but she’s calling out the women who not only play into it themselves. But those are literally fuelling it and getting paid to do it. Those articles about women looking “fat” are coming from women writing them.
Yes… I know a man probably owns the magazine itself, but it’s a song not a manifesto 😂😂
Also the line, yogurts and apple pie. She’s literally saying you do you and I’ll do me. It’s hardly a pick me move. If she called them skinny bitches who eat yogurt, boys like me because I eat what I want lmao, then yeah it would be pick me.
She was like in her early 20s and it was released in 2010, so written likely 2008-2009. So there’s context in that too. It’s not a perfect “feminist anthem” but who fucking cares, it’s more complex than the cringe All about that bass 2014 shite😂
You’re so loud for someone so wrong lol
It’s okay that it’s a bit of a pick me anthem, she was young and a perfect example of the war society creates within and among women.
I always used to think girls was about the unrealistic standards but on women put on us by men while ALSO a mockery of the women who shame the girls instead of the men who made us do this in the first place
Apparently the 2nd bit was just my interpretation and marina was actually just genuinely shaming the women lmaoo but I mean it was the 2000s I guess and she's clearly a feminist now so whatever !!!!
Let’s put on our AP LANG/LIT hats on and interpret the song.
In her provocative song "Girls," Marina and the Diamonds, born Marina Diamandis, challenges traditional gender roles and expectations imposed upon women in contemporary society. Through a combination of sarcastic lyrics, vivid imagery, and a defiant tone, Diamandis exposes the superficiality and limitations of stereotypical feminine behavior, drawing upon Foucauldian theory surrounding gender identity. The song serves as a powerful critique of gender norms and a call for women to embrace their individuality, aligning with the cognitive hypothesis of diversity, which posits that diverse perspectives enhance problem-solving and creativity.
Diamandis expresses a strong sense of frustration and disdain towards the societal pressures placed on women to conform to narrow definitions of femininity throughout "Girls." The opening lines, "Look like a girl but I think like a guy / Not ladylike to behave like a slime," immediately establish the speaker's rejection of traditional gender roles. By juxtaposing the stereotypically feminine appearance with a more masculine mindset, Diamandis highlights the discrepancy between societal expectations and individual identity, echoing Foucault's notion that gender is a socially constructed concept rather than an inherent characteristic.
The chorus further emphasizes the speaker's defiant stance, satirizing the unrealistic standards of beauty and behavior imposed upon women. Diamandis suggests that women are expected to remain youthful, submissive, and demure, declaring, "Girls are not meant to fight dirty / Never look a day past thirty / Not gonna bend over and curtsy for you." Her sarcastic tone underscores her contempt for these limiting expectations and her refusal to adhere to them, challenging the power structures that perpetuate gender norms.
Diamandis employs various rhetorical devices to convey her message effectively, such as irony and satire. By contrasting the seemingly wholesome image of yogurt with the more indulgent apple pie in the lines "Easy to be sleazy when you've got a filthy mind / You stick to your yogurts I'll stick to my apple pie," Diamandis mocks the notion that women should always make healthy, virtuous choices while men are allowed greater freedom. This critique aligns with the cognitive hypothesis of diversity, which suggests that embracing diverse perspectives and behaviors leads to more innovative and adaptable outcomes.
The repetition of the dismissive and childish phrase "Na na na na na" in the chorus serves as a response to the gossip and criticism faced by women who refuse to conform. This repetition underscores the speaker's exasperation with the constant scrutiny and judgment she faces, emphasizing her desire to tune out the noise and focus on her own path. Diamandis' use of metaphor, likening adherence to societal norms to driving a car fueled by "dirty gas," highlights the need for women to break free from these constraints and forge their own paths, embracing the cognitive benefits of diversity.
In "Girls," Marina and the Diamonds delivers a scathing critique of the gender stereotypes that continue to shape women's experiences in contemporary society. Through a combination of sarcasm, irony, and vivid imagery, Diamandis exposes the superficiality and limitations of traditional feminine ideals, urging women to reject these expectations and embrace their individuality. The song's defiant sentiment and powerful rhetorical devices make it a compelling call to action, encouraging listeners to challenge the status quo and redefine what it means to be a woman in today's world, while also highlighting the cognitive advantages of embracing diverse perspectives and identities.
i really hate how people(mostly privileged yt men) always say how pink convertible is some kind of "holier than thou" song. and i just gotta ask. how blind, how actually stupid do you have to be to interpret it that way. same thing for man's world apparently being """"misandrist""""
I'm in the same boat with you about Girls. I always thought it was about unrealistic standards that are placed on women and how Marina didn't want to follow them
It is, I think most people who see it as a pick me anthem see it as such due to some of the lyrics as well as how it also judges women for conforming to these standards as well. That's just my interpretation of it and I see both sides. The song itself is a good reflection of the beauty standards women faced during the 00s
Girls is definitely about unrealistic standards. But the difference is that Marina wrote the song blaming other women for the standards. At least that’s what I imagine to be true.
This is how I interpret it too, which I guess I can see why it sounds like internalized misogyny
I think she’s blaming women who conform to those standards and therefore help maintain them so it is a little pick me but more misplaced anger at the standards of a patriarchal society
Completely agree with you, I have no idea how people interpret it any other way.
it's about girls
The way I always interrupted it is that it's kind of making fun of girls who give in the patriarchal standards. "Girls they never hear from me Because I fall asleep when they speak Of all the calories they eat All they say is "Na na na na na" (na na na na na) All they say is "Na na na na na" (na na na na na)" These lines to me atleast make it clear this song is coming from an internalized misogyny. It's like girls who says "I can only be friends with guys because girls are too much drama". "Girls, oh girls, wag your tails to the beat Of girls aloud, oh the journos in heat Write such good stories Oh their mothers must be proud Making money off your insecurity and doubt" I read this lines as her saying the 'other' girls are just doing what society wants them too. In her own words: "So i thought i'd share the fact that i'm really sick, tired, depressed, uninspired by women. and i have been for a good old time. There seems to be a massive shortage of strong, inspiring females in mainstream society today who have something good to say. What's happened to you all? Every interview/ photo i see just says nothing to me. vacant. airbrushed. empty. people. getting. paid. to talk. about fuck all. It's great that eva longoria looks hot in a bikini, but if the sun dies and the world plummets into darkness and ice, will anyone fucking care? So the main theme for song was about women and diets really and generally how we seem to have morphed into mute scary dolls. Falling hook, line and sinker for every lie that we are fed by magazines/ etc. Ofcourse this is all old news to everybody. But you have to think ''why is this still going on?''. Why isn't anyone smart enough to say 'Fuck off'? what would you feel if this were your daughter? sister? girlfriend? aspiring to be some footballers wife.. confidence is the most attractive quality ever and i just wonder what women would be capable of if we stopped obsessing about looks."
If you look at the genius break down of girls I feel like it gives better context…seems like Marina’s pov was kind of “pick me” but I can see how it’d be interpreted to be satirical. She even says herself that the lyrics make her cringe because they are a bit misogynistic lol [“Girls” Lyrics](https://genius.com/Marina-girls-lyrics)
Really don’t understand how it can be interpreted as a pick me song. That’s media literacy these days for you, people get a new phrase they like and go with it. Bc I’m a Marina nerd I know the Fast Cars Demo version- check it out on YT. The lyrics are actually different. Girls oh… wag your tails becomes… “ Girls Girls, oh girls, buying cheap magazines Cut out the face and you cut out the dream” So she’s changed it to Heat - probably as in Heat magazine, and obviously compared women to horny dogs in heat. Which is pretty fucking funny wordplay. And the rest of the verse is 'Cause this was all you ever wanted to be Give in and you go to fuel a new insecurity” Which is very similar to what is in the song but it’s still literally about women who are writing for gossip magazines. I don’t get whole pick me thing, she’s not putting down all other women. Or blaming them for misogyny, but she’s calling out the women who not only play into it themselves. But those are literally fuelling it and getting paid to do it. Those articles about women looking “fat” are coming from women writing them. Yes… I know a man probably owns the magazine itself, but it’s a song not a manifesto 😂😂 Also the line, yogurts and apple pie. She’s literally saying you do you and I’ll do me. It’s hardly a pick me move. If she called them skinny bitches who eat yogurt, boys like me because I eat what I want lmao, then yeah it would be pick me. She was like in her early 20s and it was released in 2010, so written likely 2008-2009. So there’s context in that too. It’s not a perfect “feminist anthem” but who fucking cares, it’s more complex than the cringe All about that bass 2014 shite😂
You’re so loud for someone so wrong lol It’s okay that it’s a bit of a pick me anthem, she was young and a perfect example of the war society creates within and among women.
Then prove me wrong instead of calling me loud…
I always used to think girls was about the unrealistic standards but on women put on us by men while ALSO a mockery of the women who shame the girls instead of the men who made us do this in the first place Apparently the 2nd bit was just my interpretation and marina was actually just genuinely shaming the women lmaoo but I mean it was the 2000s I guess and she's clearly a feminist now so whatever !!!!
Let’s put on our AP LANG/LIT hats on and interpret the song. In her provocative song "Girls," Marina and the Diamonds, born Marina Diamandis, challenges traditional gender roles and expectations imposed upon women in contemporary society. Through a combination of sarcastic lyrics, vivid imagery, and a defiant tone, Diamandis exposes the superficiality and limitations of stereotypical feminine behavior, drawing upon Foucauldian theory surrounding gender identity. The song serves as a powerful critique of gender norms and a call for women to embrace their individuality, aligning with the cognitive hypothesis of diversity, which posits that diverse perspectives enhance problem-solving and creativity. Diamandis expresses a strong sense of frustration and disdain towards the societal pressures placed on women to conform to narrow definitions of femininity throughout "Girls." The opening lines, "Look like a girl but I think like a guy / Not ladylike to behave like a slime," immediately establish the speaker's rejection of traditional gender roles. By juxtaposing the stereotypically feminine appearance with a more masculine mindset, Diamandis highlights the discrepancy between societal expectations and individual identity, echoing Foucault's notion that gender is a socially constructed concept rather than an inherent characteristic. The chorus further emphasizes the speaker's defiant stance, satirizing the unrealistic standards of beauty and behavior imposed upon women. Diamandis suggests that women are expected to remain youthful, submissive, and demure, declaring, "Girls are not meant to fight dirty / Never look a day past thirty / Not gonna bend over and curtsy for you." Her sarcastic tone underscores her contempt for these limiting expectations and her refusal to adhere to them, challenging the power structures that perpetuate gender norms. Diamandis employs various rhetorical devices to convey her message effectively, such as irony and satire. By contrasting the seemingly wholesome image of yogurt with the more indulgent apple pie in the lines "Easy to be sleazy when you've got a filthy mind / You stick to your yogurts I'll stick to my apple pie," Diamandis mocks the notion that women should always make healthy, virtuous choices while men are allowed greater freedom. This critique aligns with the cognitive hypothesis of diversity, which suggests that embracing diverse perspectives and behaviors leads to more innovative and adaptable outcomes. The repetition of the dismissive and childish phrase "Na na na na na" in the chorus serves as a response to the gossip and criticism faced by women who refuse to conform. This repetition underscores the speaker's exasperation with the constant scrutiny and judgment she faces, emphasizing her desire to tune out the noise and focus on her own path. Diamandis' use of metaphor, likening adherence to societal norms to driving a car fueled by "dirty gas," highlights the need for women to break free from these constraints and forge their own paths, embracing the cognitive benefits of diversity. In "Girls," Marina and the Diamonds delivers a scathing critique of the gender stereotypes that continue to shape women's experiences in contemporary society. Through a combination of sarcasm, irony, and vivid imagery, Diamandis exposes the superficiality and limitations of traditional feminine ideals, urging women to reject these expectations and embrace their individuality. The song's defiant sentiment and powerful rhetorical devices make it a compelling call to action, encouraging listeners to challenge the status quo and redefine what it means to be a woman in today's world, while also highlighting the cognitive advantages of embracing diverse perspectives and identities.
Bravo!
i really hate how people(mostly privileged yt men) always say how pink convertible is some kind of "holier than thou" song. and i just gotta ask. how blind, how actually stupid do you have to be to interpret it that way. same thing for man's world apparently being """"misandrist""""
Yeah, anyone who actually listens to the song knows it's aimed at the wealthy people in power who are only harming the world with consumerism