The Woman-Bashing Lyrics on Chris Brown’s New Album
A "Changed Man," Chris Brown is not.
I went to pick up Rihanna’s new CD, “Rated R,” and couldn’t help but notice that the pop star might object to the album sitting right next to it – her ex Chris Brown’s release “Graffiti.” Intrigued, I went online to see what kind of material Brown had conjured for his official “I beat up my girlfriend, I’m sorry, but please continue to buy my music” comeback spectacular.
Let’s review some of the most egregious selections.
From “What I Do”:
Single once again, I’m bout to go where I never been
Gone with the wind, cause that might be where she’ll end up being.
We can get it in, I mean get it in
And I got stamina so don’t forget to bring a friend
Nah bring ten, but they gotta be tens
So let me get this straight. Here, he’s making the announcement that he’s single. Really, Chris Brown? We’re aware. And now that you’re single because you beat up your girlfriend, you’re not only hoping to lure girls into an ambitious 11-some, but you’re insisting that they meet your very high standards? You’ve got balls, sir. I sure hope no one accidentally kicks them.
Let’s try another.
From “Famous Girl”:
Since I thought I found my woman
There were other guys who thought the same thing about it
Like damn you let me down-down-down
You’re a famous girl
You’re breaking hearts
Oh, Chris Brown. You think you can have it both ways, and, well, you cannot. Perhaps Rihanna was a terrible girlfriend who did indeed cheat on you and break your heart. But you relinquished your right to publicly criticize her. Doing so only proves how insincere all of the very-serious sit-down interviews you’ve given over the past few months really were.
From “Pass Out”:
Wait till you pass out, yeeeah
Wait till you pass out
Wait till you pass out
What’s gonna happen when she passes out?!? What?
And, finally, from “Wait”:
I’ma beat it like a boxer
Presumably, this is supposed to be impressive or enticing. Perhaps he’s just mixing his Michael Jackson metaphors with his sports metaphors. But let’s be straight here, friend, you don’t get to sing lyrics that are in any way suggestive of physically harming someone ever again. Ever.
No joke, Chris Brown, you do not get to write obligatory “forgive me” songs like “Changed Man” and subject us to interviews in which you admit to having “made mistakes” – no shit! – and at the same time write lyrics like this and expect anyone to take you seriously.
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I agree that he seems to show little remorse. However, having no interest of listening to the cd, I do think you misinterpreted the “beat it like a boxer” line. It appears to me that, although I have no context which to base this opinion, that he was not referring to physically harming anyone. Instead, he probably was referring to a woman’s vagina and the intercourse that is about to take place.
Having said that, he appears to only be sorry for the consequences of his actions and you’re broader point is correct. You would think that he would pull an R. Kelly and release a gospelish album before resuming misogynistic themes.
Bravo, Sara! I was just as appalled when I read about his new CD. The sad thing is, it will probably sell well.
Should lyrics such as Brown’s be subject to censorship? As a journalist, I cannot condone censorship. But, if I could find the time, energy, and effective method, would I organize consumer boycotts of all misogynistic works of “art”? You bet I would. Such lyrics probably lead to physical violence only rarely. But the violence they do to the rightful place of women in the social order is almost certainly massive.