Definitely Not a Nashville Party

[vovat]

So, okay, what's the appeal of Miley Cyrus? I know people who legitimately like her, aned that's fine, but...I just don't don't get it. I'll admit I haven't actually heard much of her music, but the radio has been inundated with "Party in the USA" as of late. Apparently it's her crossover into mainstream radio, yet it has some of the worst aspects of children's music (i.e., it's rather cloying and artificially happy). Also, the first time we heard the song, bethje commented that Miley sounds like R. Kelly's white Southern woman character from "Trapped in the Closet." Anyway, let's take a look at the lyrics:

I hopped off the plane at LAX
With my dream and my cardigan

I never actually knew what she was saying in this line, and assuming this is correct...I actually sort of like it. It's sort of a syllepsis, isn't it? Well, not exactly, but it's along the same lines.

Welcome to the land of fame and excess
Am I gonna fit in?

Jumped in the cab
Here I am for the first time
Looked to my right and i see the Hollywood sign
This is all so crazy
Everybody seems so famous

EVERYBODY does? What part of Los Angeles are you in? Well, to be fair, she does say "seems." More importantly, however, "crazy" and "famous" don't even come close to rhyming. This song apparently had three writers, and not one of them could write simple verse?

My tummy's turnin' and i'm feelin' kind of homesick
Too much pressure and I'm nervous
That's when the taxi man turned on the radio
And a Jay-Z song was on
and the the Jay-Z was on(2x)

You know, I think it would be difficult to find a more obnoxiously saccharine word than "tummy." But getting to more significant matters, Beth's uncle told us that someone asked Miley what her favorite Jay-Z song was, and she said she didn't listen to that kind of music. And while I'm a supporter of the idea that songs don't have to be autobiographical, this one sounds like it's supposed to be in other respects. How hard would it have been for the songwriters to ask Miley what artists she actually liked? I have no idea whether she likes Britney Spears, who's mentioned in the second pre-chorus, but I guess the two of them DO have a fair amount of common ground.

So I put my hands up
They're playin' my song
The butterflies fly away
Noddin' my head like yeah
Movin' my hips like yeah
I got my hands up
They're playin' my song
I know I'm gonna be ok
Yeah It's a party in the USA
Yeah It's a party in the USA

So this is where the title comes in, but what does it have to do with the rest of the song? How is the country she's in at all relevant to what she's talking about? Mind you, Billy Ray has played at Sean Hannity's Freedom Concerts, and probably knows the value of inserting irrelevant patriotism into songs.

Get to the club in my taxi cab
Everybody's looking at me now
Like "who's that chick that's rockin' kicks?
She gotta be from outta town."

So hard with my girls not around me

Awww, how cute! Miley Cyrus has an entourage!

It's definitely not a Nashville party
Cause all I see are stilettos
I guess I never got the memo

"MEMO: Wear stilettos to the party. Oh, but don't tell that Miley chick. She bugs me."

Yeah, it's another line that sounds like it's supposed to rhyme but doesn't. And does no one wear stilettos to parties in Nashville? Eh, they probably all go barefoot, am I right? Nah, I'm just messing with you, Tennessee. You're all right.

Okay, so there are much worse songs than this one, and I guess cheering up when hearing cool music is something we all identify with. But, well, how is this a hit? Was payola involved? I guess I'm just not down with what the kids listen to. Or the adults, for that matter.

Comments

[vilajunkie.livejournal.com]

*FACEPALM*

[ozma914.livejournal.com]

It's funny you should bring up the lyrics. A few days ago I listened to "All I want to do is have some fun" by Sheryl Crow, a song I've always liked. But this time I actually paid attention to the lyrics -- and they were ridiculous. I realized then that one of the reasons I don't hate Miley Cyrus is not only because I like upbeat songs, but also because as a rule I just don't pay attention to lyrics -- I either like the general sound or I don't.

That would explain why I'd much prefer listening to her over any rap artist, or those "singers" who think screaming like they'd just been gutted, while half-swallowing the mic, makes them somehow artistic.

Which doesn't mean I don't go back to what's now called "classic rock" when given a choice.

[onesto-hotel.livejournal.com]

The only good thing about that song is that if it didn't exist, then we wouldn't be able to make fun of it...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD1prdkYqII

[vovat.livejournal.com]

I've always been a lyrics-oriented person, but that doesn't mean I haven't liked some songs that had good music and hot-so-hot lyrics. On the other hand, I've known good words to save a song with mediocre music, too.

I realized then that one of the reasons I don't hate Miley Cyrus is not only because I like upbeat songs

Well, I think there's a difference between upbeat and saccharine, and it seems to me that "Party in the USA" skews a little too much to the latter. For what it's worth, I never much cared for Sheryl Crow, either.

[vovat.livejournal.com]

I have to admit I'm not that familiar with the Metal Gear games, but this was pretty clever.

[ozma914.livejournal.com]

I often can't tell the difference between upbeat and saccharine. People say "That's so saccharine!" and I think, gee -- tastes like good old white cane sugar, to me. Then I cover for it by saying "I disagree -- it's obviously heartfelt", and they never know that I'm clueless.

...

Hm ... I'm going to make a column out of this.

[kevenn.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reminding me of why I don't listen to the radio.

Horrid. Awful. Garbage.

[vovat.livejournal.com]

I'm not much of a radio listener myself. I don't think EVERYTHING they play is bad, but it's so common that a good song is followed by a particularly bad one, and I don't want to have to switch stations constantly. That's exactly what bethje does when she's in the car with me, though. {g}