Temptation by Tyler Perry

Hi fans, so this will not be a critique but more of a commentary.

What can I say? I saw the original play Confessions of a Marriage Counselor but this one was
so different.  There were a couple of twist where, honestly, I didn't realize it was the same plot until the end when the climax comes: It is the same guy (that the wife is cheating with, and Brandy was abused by).

There were little subtle things in the movie that made it go together and I think I should mention it here:

For one, did you see the confidence in that guy? Everything he asked was just on point. He was the perfect item of seduction: he dressed well, was extremely rich, believed in her dreams (where her husband wanted her to wait 10 years for her dream, the guy wanted to help her make it happen today). The husband did not protect her when she got cursed out in the street but explained later that they could have had guns and they did the right thing, and you know what? He does have a good point.

But, being a woman, I know that sometimes our emotions override our logic and honestly, at the end of the day, the wife did not feel protected and probably doubted whether she would ever be protected by her man. On the other hand, she mistakenly goes the wrong way and bumps into a guy that was merrily going by his way on his bike and the seduction guy is all over it, ready to jump him. (She wasn't even threatened). This was a subtle, quick, thing that happened in the movie but it is significant.

There were other parallels as well between the seduction guy and the husband. The seduction guy was the only one that mentioned it (when she was on the couch talking about her husband's basketball wounds seduction guy says how she compares them.) The movie itself shows this comparison, but it is so subtle it can be almost missed. Another big difference is the attention. Husband forgets birthday, she gets flowers from Harley (name of seduction guy). She steps away to talk on the phone and the husband is watching a game, doesn't even notice or say anything when she steps out (what world is he on? your woman is hiding a call that's like major cheater clues).

Then there is the whole routine of marriage (she says 'oh, it's 8 o'clock  and I'm making dinner' to Harley). This is a big context clue to her life. She never goes out after she gets home. She goes to a job where she doesn't feel significant in or is her dream, then she comes home and home is not a place of rest. It becomes a place to give some more: make meals, have sex (they hint at this briefly when she is talking about her mother coming and asking her if she's been doing her wifely duties.) It is also very sad when she admits on her plane that she is hopeless about her dream. She is stuck in this routine and she doesn't know how she's going to get out of it. Her husband's words have pierced her soul and she is not doing anything towards her dream of starting her own practice. She is frustrated, bored, and the whole cowboy routine the husband did to try to make up for forgetting her birthday was one (by the wife's rolling of the eyes and sigh) was lacking. It looked like he does that every time when he messes up. Even his make-ups are routine.  How boring.

So here comes this Harvey guy, did you notice how patient he is? and how willing? and he keeps giving and giving, and how relentless he is? Reminds me of the devil, just won't stop until you fall, break, or just end up in sin somehow. He listens to her, and encourages her, and compliments her, and shows how he appreciates her. He studies her (did you hear that line about how her left temple shakes when she is mad?)  Seduction guy (better name than Harley) is doing EVERYTHING she wishes her husband was doing: supporting her and giving it to her (you know what I mean, if you don't, I mean in the 'bedroom.')

It's also a break from the routine in her life. I love the part when seduction guy says 'Sex is animalistic, it happens when it happens, wherever it happens, the floor, the bed, the kitchen, the office. So she goes home and she tries it and the husband gets freaked out and says that they should eat then go to the bedroom to do that. It's so traditional and she wants more.  Harvey makes her curious, and something about him makes her want to come back for more (this one I don't understand actually, I mean if she loved her husband so much it shouldn't have been so easy to be swept away by this new guy).

The best, most honest and telling part of the movie is when the husband finally steps up as a man and fights for her. He breaks the door, rescues her, goes back, beats up the guy. He stands up for Brandy as well: letting Harvey know that he cannot go after her. This movie is so deep.  The husband was so comfortable and stagnant and his wife walked away and he let her. I hate the part when he leaves her in the Harley house, back to the party. Anyhow, in that part she said 'I feel dead when I'm with you. You are a nice guy, I hope you find a nice girl. I don't want a nice guy, I want a phenomenal guy.' This again, in my opinion, is the most telling part of the movie. 16 years together, known each other since they were 6. Husband stopped trying at all (did you catch the part of how they always go to the $1.99 buffet and he said I'll treat you somewhere nice, the $5.99 buffet?) It's like dude, how low are your standards? Treat your wife out, save up and do it, she is the love of your life isn't she?

I also love Brandy's character because she is just really  in touch and healed it seems. She tells the husband that he can't blame himself for what the wife has done, however he can take responsibility for his part. She spoke of how people can start one way, end up another and how things can get really comfortable in a marriage. She also said something so interesting, the husband said 'I didn't even know she was unhappy.' Brandy said 'maybe she was happy until someone came along and showed her something different.'  WOW. Just like seduction guy said 'How can you compare if you have nothing to compare to?' Her good girl, follow-the-rules-my-whole-life, no sex before marriage, all that lack-of-experience thing really came into play. She was like a kid in a candy store who never knew what candy was. Then discovered it, and wanted to have more and more. Seduction guy had money, she could wear nice clothes, and go to New Orleans, Paris, New York (he does have a private plane). He comes along with comfort and a luxurious lifestyle.

What I do love is the sense of masculinity throughout the movie. Again, I think the movie was short and underdeveloped (maybe because I thought the seduction part would take much longer: the girl hops on a plane to New Orleans and boom!! She does something she has never done in her 26-year-old life: have sex outside of the vicinity of marriage). It just made no sense, but maybe falling into sin never does make logical sense, it's a play on emotions. And boy! did he play her on every emotion. As a woman, I cringed when he said I dream of you, because every woman wants (no neeeedddss) to be desired and feel wanted.  Husband was neglecting her so bad and here she is in New Orleans having a super-date (How I Met Your Mother reference) and then gives it up after. She didn't want to cheat, but she is so intelligent!!! And one thing about intelligence, you are used to waiting long and hard to get an answer (think of how many papers and essays you had to write to get your degree). And she had her masters, so she is used to digging for an answer. Just like Inception (another movie reference, you gotta be a movie buff to read my blog, what can I say), Harvey put the thought of cheating in her brain. He made her wonder what if? What would life be like without her husband? What would life be like with money? and trips? and new experiences? (wait, was that coke that she was sniffing? yeah she really trusted him if she took that up her nose). I mean, she just went one whole big deep hole and found herself on the ground lost, looking to go back home ( like Alice in Wonderland.)

Good lord, Tyler Perry! You've done it again!! You are just a good writer, you twisted the plot made it current (in the play the seduction guy is basketball player, here he is a rich media mogul which is very hot for the age group that he was targeting with the movie.) There was also no previous history (in original play, the seduction guy dated the girl when they were back in college and before she got with her husband.) Tyler really twisted this around and not for nothing, was it me or did Kim Kardashian look great in this movie? I've never seen her look this good (do I gotta airbrush my face and buy Indian hair to look like that?). I loved Kim's character as well because she was so direct and cold (when her girl says her husband forgot her birthday second time in a row, Kim simply replies 'You are unforgettable, I've been trying to tell you so if you won't take my advice leave my office right now.') No sympathy! So heartless, you gotta love that. It's definitely a TV Personality, I don't think anyone would be that cold in real life.

Anyhow, all this leads me to the end. What can I say? It is artistically speaking, perfect!! It stays with  you doesn't it? It got me writing this commentary at 11:39 pm at night, after I saw this movie. It's like dang, I gotta think about this one! This is one is making me think twice about dipping my feet in any cold waters of sin. Something that might seem harmless can really go a long way. There's no much better commentary than what I posted as my Facebook status after watching the movie. So here it goes:  "Just saw Temptation by Tyler Perry and wow I definitely was struck by it! I guess there are some mistakes we just can't come back from. God is all forgiving, but people are not. Definitely makes you think twice before dipping into what might seem like a harmless sin."

Please, if you took time out of your LIFE to read this, comment. What did you think of the Temptation movie? What did you take away from it? Would love to have you share.

Looking at it a little deep, you may not agree. This is, THE CRITIC.

Take it all by Adele

This song is so strong isn't it? Even the the title: take it all.

It is a complete surrender: go ahead, take it all. Whatever you want. Just take it.

I wonder is this a statement out of strenght or weakness?

A deeper look into the lyrics and I would presume that it is a decision out of weakness.

She has given up, she is broken beyond repair. The person who has caused her all this pain, she is giving him

an invitation: Finish it. Finish breaking her. Take it all. Take more pieces of her to break.

She is tired and in this tiredness and brokeness she decides to surrender her all. My concern is, is that the right thing to do?

I do not think so. But such is the broken state that she is in.

Let's observe:

Didn't I give it all,

Tried my best,

Gave you everything I had,

Everything and no less?

Didn't I do it right?

Did I let you down?

First verse shows the state that she is in before giving in and surrendering   She is spent.  She gave all she has. She is questioning herself, because she came to the realization that it wasn't enough. It's all in question form, showing her doubt. 

She doubts if she gave it all (even though deep inside, she knows she did). Why would she do such a thing?

Because this song is breaking down her old belief: she thought if she did her best, gave her all, the guy will stay.

She thought that he would stay, he wouldn't leave. She has wounds from her past. Maybe abandonment issues from her dad or mother? (The song 'hiding my heart hints at this as well. There is a line where she states "like everything I've even known, you disappeared one day" Obviously there is a cycle of abandonment. She is repeating her past. The ghost of the past keep reapearring in her present relatinoships. She has an internal idea, she thinks if she stays if she gives her all, she can fix it. Not just fix the relationship (by making him stay) but also fix the abandonment issues that she has.  

But this fallacy is faulty. Its like taking leaves and plucking them out. If the tree is not cut out by the root, the same leaves will show up again.  

So the first verse, she is disappointed, doubtful, still faithful. She wants him back. She wants him to stay. She wants to 'fix it'. She is wondering if there is more of her to give. Again, still believing that she needs to give more to make the relationship work.

Where is the guy all this? Is he deserving? Has he proven himself? We do not know yet. 

Next verse: 

Maybe you got too used to

Well, having me around.

Still how can you walk away

From all my tears?

It's gonna be an empty road

Without me right here.

I think we can end all the analysis right.  Here is all the answers!!!

He got 'used to her being around' AKA he's taking her for granted.  If she was healthy and had no issues, she would 

have seen this as a red flag to leave him alone. She is more invested into this relatioship than he is!!!

He 'walked away from all her tears"... Hello??? Another red flag. He wasn't mature enough to understand her when

she was falling apart (tired of giving her all). This is a boy, trying to appear a man. Instead of offering her his strenght, his

weakness shows up at this moment.  The man, who is supposed to fulfill the childhood fantasy of being a prince to rescue the princess, instead he does the unthinkable: he runs away. He lives the princes inside the castle, with that horrible dragon. More so, he's not even willing to fight for her. He commits a fallacy by drinking from her beauty. He thinks she can validate him. And in her brokenness, she's looking to him to validate her. In the end, its all a mess since its a horrible foundation, this relationship.. brokeness. It's what they have in common. Probably the reason why they are attracted to each other. "Its going to be an empty road without me right here.' The woman is pulling all stops. She has nothing more to manipulate him (treating him nicely and being sweet didn't work as much as she tried). So she is doing something only desperate people do: she is threatening him!!! She threatens that he won't make it without her. Matter of fact, he will miss her so much he will come back!!!

She doesnt realize that if he comes back it's because of need, not of choice. To break this down, he will come back to drink from her fountain again. Being a boy (not yet a man), if he comes back is to have her validate him. To go back to the original cycle, drink from her beauty and she will wait for him to love her. They both do not realize that they are not in a position to love. The love in way that broken people can only do: halfway (if that). They are so needy for love, they are in a position to be parasites (take, take, take until their source of energy dies). This is exactly that is happenin here. The boy took so much, that she is spent.

Still broken with abandonment issues, in her last defeat and dispair she gives him an answer: take it all. She has no more to give. But whatever she has left, she wants him to take it. That way, in her flawed thinking, he will come back.  This is also very detrimental to her and her self worth, because even though she gave it all to him, he still will leave her (apparently when she's crying and needs him most).

This is a very broken relationlship, you can hear the pain in Adele's voice, and her passion when she sings this, as one who has truly lived it. The next verses and chorus just keep repeating the same message with different words. The following verse says:

Maybe I should leave

To help you see

Nothing is better than this

And this is everything we need.

So is it over?

Is this really it?

You've given up so easily,

I thought you loved me more than this.

She thinks that 'maybe' she should leave. The maybe is there to show how against she is in this notion. However, in her desperation, if that is what it would take for him to stay, then she is willing to temporarily separate herself from him. Another broken moment: 'nothing is better than this'. The two depend on each other so much for love, that they cannot imagine a better situation. They confuse their obsession with love. They sin continually. They idolize each other, they drink from their half full cups. They more the pull towards one another, the more suffocated and dissatisfied they are. Not having the wisdom to step away and rethink this, they run to each other faster. Thinking the deeper they know each other, the longer they stay together, then it will work out. This is wrong. It usually gets worse.

They will both drown in their own pools. The air is giong to be expended. They are stuck together in the hips. He becomes her world and her his, they lost their sense of the persons they were before being in this relationship. The relationship becomes like a hospital, a place to rest and heal. They do not realize however, that they more they go to each other, the more broken they become.  

The last verse: 

I will change if I must.
Slow it down and bring it home, I will adjust.
Oh if only, if only you knew,
Everything I do is for you.

she is willing ot change herself (more than she already has). This aspect here shows how deep is her devotion. Just like some people change for something higher than themselves (God, religion, school, parent's good wishes), she is willing to change for him. By change of course, she means give more. change the things about herself that he doesn't like. If only 'he knew'.. clue: he knows that you love him. He is scared of becoming a man, because he has to be a man for you. he has to stand up, to fight for you. He has to be a leader, he has to put his foot down so depression and other horrible things don't enter in the relationship. Letting the woman become the servant like a over-dutiful mother and he is the boy that keeps taking to no end... this is not a relationship.. this is like jail. who will sing up for this? i'm sure honeymoon period was nice. It was on the surface you made each other laugh. But they got addicted to each other, and they lost themselves in the relationship. whoa is me. 'Everything I do, I do for you.'

Done with analysis. What is the answer you may say? To all you broken people, don't get into a relationship if you are empty, lonely and incomplete. A man can never complete you. Be complete before getting into a relationship. Its like getting into a pool without the ability to swim (love). 

The person is looking for who you can bring down, so that you get enough air and stop drowning. The other person, drown from lack of space and air to breathe. The 'love' that was supposed to be an answer, the water that fills you with love.. it becomes a prison, in which both persons become suffocated. So please don't do as Adele says "Take it all."

Looking at it a little deep, this is THE CRITIC.

Payphone by Maroon 5

This is the new song from Maroon 5. In this analysis, I will be analyzing the song lyrics.

The video, I find, doesn't do the song justice.  It is,however, visually entertaining, which I suppose was the point.

'Payphone' song, in its entirety, is about a breakup. It's hard to tell because the title is 'payphone.'

I kept hearing this song and I was wondering, what the hell is this song about? The song lyrics tell a story, a tale. Due to my personal circumstances (going through a breakup), I have a personal understanding of what he is talking about. 

So here it is: Payphone is a break up song, Yeah I said it. I didnt believe it the first 5 times I heard it either (read on.)

Let's look at verse 1:

Yeah, I, I know it's hard to remember,

the people we used to be...

it's even harder to picture, 

that you're not here next to me. 

You say it's too late to make it,

but is it too late to try?

And in our time that you wasted

All of our bridges burned down

This covers a couple of things. First, this is a somewhat long relationship. At least 2 years I would guess. Or long enough to be serious. The artist is speaking of how the persons in the relationship have changed and grown in the course of the relationship. He refers to 'the people we used to be.' When the lyrics state 'too late to make it.' Making it would be to get married, to go all the way together. The girl says it's too late, as in she doesn't have hope. but the guy wants to hold on to her and the relationship (is it too late to try?).

In our time that you wasted speaks of the regret when a relationship ends, the time that was spent on it. Because it didn't produce a harvest, no fruit for the effort.. it feels like a waste.  Me personally I don't think its a waste. There is always a lesson, isn't there?

Next verse:

I've wasted my nights, you turned out the lights. Now I'm paralyzed.
 Still stuck in that time, when we called it love. But even the sun sets in paradise.

This one goes from regret to scorn, to acceptance. He feels like his nights have been wasted (all the time he spent on her). She had full control, turning off the lights. Now he is in the dark, thinking of her but not having her next to him to hold on to. He's 'paralyzed' because he has not moved on. His life is in a standstill, every moment bringing back a memory from the past, when he was with her. He is reliving his memories, and therefore,

not focusing on making new ones. 'But even the sun sets in paradise,' this line speaks of how all good things come to the end. He spoke of the night time (when they used to be together) and his paralysis (which time feels like it has stopped for him). However, the sun comes up, meaning those nights have come to the end (when the sun sets, it is now morning time). He is holding on to the past, and he sees it as a 'paradise' and his current life (reality) not as sweet.

Poor guy. Now on to the chorus:

I'm at a payphone, trying to call home. All of my change was spent on you. Where have the times gone? Baby it's all wrong Where are the plans we made for two?

If "Happy ever afters" did exist, I would still holding you like this. All those fairy tales are full of shit. One more stupid love song, I'll be sick. 

The chorus is what gave away the meaning of the song, because I relate. So when the relationship is over, one gives up on love (happy every afters). The thing is, even though they broke up, they are still in love. This is ironic because one thinks love conquers all. It's harder to let go when love is still there. And it takes maturity to let go of something, even though love is there.. but one realizes that maybe love is not enough. Maybe the issues are too much. Maybe being apart is best.  

Now on to the payphone reference. This is where it's deep. He's in a payphone. Pause. Who uses a payphonne anymore? The only time people use payphones is when they are in a jam, nothing else. He has no cell phone to use, in the video his car crashed behind him (another reference on him not being able to get home). He might even have lost his job, running out like that. He has nothing. He is spent. This is reflective of how he feels after the relationship, like he has given everything and he has nothing left. He only has the clothes in his back, and well, himself. The self that he has left.

'All of my change I spent on you.' This reflects his bitterness again. He gave the girl all he had, now he doesn't have enough 'change' to get home. Home, in this case, is a place of comfort and rest as we all know. Specific to the song and situation, after he has spent all he had in the relationship, he is trying to get back to the person he used to be (before meeting the girl). He is trying to get to a happy place. A space where he not longer will be 'paralyzed' with old memories. A space where he is himself, a space where he can exist in a world without her. At least he has hope, however he doesn't feel hopeful he will get there as he has no 'change.' 

 Last verse:

Oh, you turned your back on tomorrow. 'Cause you forgot yesterday. I gave you my love to borrow, but you just gave it away. You can't expect me to be fine, I don't expect you to care. I know I've said it before, but all of our bridges burned down. 

This last part speaks specifically of the girl. She apparently is 'fine' while he is not. This causes some added bitterness to his plate. He gave her 'my love to borrow', he feels that she gave it away. Maybe she gave it back to him, like she didn't need it anymore. 'All of our bridges burned down', this part refers again to the hopelessness of the situation. The issues became to much. Bridges connect two different bodies of land separated by water. Artistically speaking, the two persons are the separate land. The bridge represents their connection. Their connection is lost, since the bridge has been burned. Now they are back to being 'single', to being 'one.' He is sad and bitter, but that's the way love goes sometimes.

There is the whole idea of the fairy tales, and love songs. He believed in love, and it let him down. He is sick of love at this time. Now he's just trying to get home (happy place), however he has no way to get there. He gave the girl all the change ('all of my change I spent on you').  Change in this song is interchangeable with love. He can't get home unless someone walks by and gives him change (love). Someone needs to give him love so that he can get home one day (the happy place). For now, he is stuck, 'paralyzed', living in the past and not being able to let go. The last line reflects his original broken, hopeless state: 'Now I'm at a payphone.'

This is just my analysis. You don't have to agree. Looking at it a little deep. This is, THE CRITIC.

Break your heart by Taio Cruz ft Ludacris

The video starts with a challenge. The girl says 'you know i'm going to hurt you.."  The guy says 'you know i'm only going to break your heart right?' Want to bet? its on!

So interesting, this scene sets the scene for the rest of the video. Two people have met their match: a player that plays with people. The thing is when you are a player, to the other person you are serious. They fall into the trap, and you end up winning and leaving.

In this characterization of the players, they go in with open eyes. They know its a game, and they know the other player is well aware of the game. Then no one that is a fool. What is the point of playing then, if the person knows its a game and will not take it seriously? It's not going to be the usual, where a person goes and 'falls in love' and someone 'broke their heart'.  I think the challenge then becomes, not if they can play each other out, but if the player can mean enough to the other person..therefore leaving them will resonate deeply with them leaving them with a broken heart.

Players don't get their heart broken because the heart was never out in the open in the first place. Everything they did was to get what they wanted (sex, affection, attention, etc). Once they get bored with the person, they move on to the next conquest. Conquering and chasing sometimes becomes more exiting than actually having what they so hard fought for. Going out with the person then is not the big joke, the big joke is falling in love. Playing the fool in big boy's game, knowing you were hoodwinked from the start. Interesting. 

Like Taio says 'bring it on,' they both put on their shades and the video starts.

Ludacris comes on with shades. Shades represent hiding, as when someone has shades you cannot see their eyes. This works great when someone is lying (the person being lied to doesn't know it as they can't see the full emotions that can be seen when looking to the eyes). The eyes are seen as 'windows to the soul,' so it can be argued that when those are covered.. the person is blinded. Their 'soul' is hid away from you, so you cannot look deeper.  Then Ludacris says something about 'you gotta respect my honesty.' Yeah, I guess. Taio Cruz tells us how he feels: 'they call me heart breaker; I don't want to deceive you.' 

Honestly, I do appreciate the honesty. Imagine if your worst relationship would have came with a disclaimer 'this person will later on break your heart, and you will learn to love this person in a way you never thought would be possible.' The truth is that we don't know the future. People do not come with disclaimer(bummer), but luckily this is a pop song. A visual and vocal way to hear a person's thoughts.

Taio Cruz is doing us all a favor: he has come with a disclaimer. The disclaimer is 'I'm only going to break, break,break,break your heart.' Now the question is, will you still take his proposal? The thing is, if both parties are aware of what the situation is, then no one's heart should be broken. The heart gets broken when one falls in love or gets obsessed with the person (you can't see yourself living without them, happens to the best of us). So why take this proposal? Because, just like the girl, if you are a player this is a nice experience. Both know what they are getting themselves into.

The relationship then, without all the smoke and mirrors that lying creates, becomes a reflection of the state of relationships today.  Completely versatile, the new era of 'open relationships' (thanks, Europe), and people being more scared than ever of being vulnerable enough to fall in love. ooo, but let's see the rest of the video.

Taio steps out of the car. He does not go to the other side to let the girl out (how very un-gentlemanly of him). This says that this new era of people (the players) they do not believe in that pish-posh manners stuff.  She's a girl, she's independent, she can open her own door. So he doesn't even try to pretend he is a gentleman, and let her politely decline his offer of opening the door. He doesn't go for it. Matter of fact, he doesn't even wait for her (the nice thing to do when you are with someone, wait for them, then walk together and if you are really sure of your relationship, may even hold hands).  He walks ahead, and the girl, knowing her role does not try to catch up. She's on to the game, they don't want to let on that they are together. 

The girl has a bikini (indicating its summer time, maybe going to the beach). Both of them however are wearing leather jackets, so maybe some windy weather. Both of them have shades, of course (look cool and hide your eyes).  Interestingly enough, the girl takes off her shades (a physical reflection of being more 'open' than Taio, who is still wearing shades.) He looks at her, and to be honest with you I think the look they share is deeper than holding hands. Long lasting couples will know that the way a couple looks at each other will say more than anything else. Sure, holding hands will be an obvious, this is my man don't touch. But she is letting him go ahead (nothing holding him back from what he wants to do). This tells me she is extremely confident not only on herself, but also whatever she has with him (it is unclear from the video whether this is brand new relationship that started in the car conversation, or if its been a couple of months).

In a way as well, I think this is very healthy. They are giving each other space (how annoying is it when the person you like is around all the time). When the song goes into the chorus, the girl is singing it as well for a couple of clips. This is interesting because it means the words apply to both: ' If you fall for me, I'm not easy to please. I might tear you apart, told you from the start,baby  from the start. I'm only going to break, break, break, break your heart.' The video goes, they are walking to a boat party. Perfect, Taio is singing the song and looks back at the girl, kind of like 'i'm talking to you.' They both have smirks on their faces, almost like a secret joke. The game is definitely on.

On to the boat, there are clips of Taio getting comfortable with all these girls around him. He is getting way too close to one of the girls as if he is going to kiss her (definitely too close when you are in a relationship). The girl is having fun too, she is with a beautiful model-looking guy in a crisp white suit.  While they are both having fun, they look at each other, definitely with the game-is-on smirk on their face.

There is also contrasting clips of Taio and the girl in a private little boat, just them too..how intimate. Then the girl goes over to where Taio is sitting, and it seems like they are fighting for the girl, who is going to kiss her first. Taio has met his true match. Not only are they playing around, trying to make each other jealous knowing it won't work, but then there is a bi-sexual thing going on her. The girl, trying to please Taio or maybe just the way she is, seems like she might be into girls too. So they playfully compete and Taio steals the girl  (and the kiss that never happened on camera, I presume). The girl has her mouth open as in shock (Taio wins again).

On to the next scenes, in a club. Taio, of course, still being surrounded by beautiful women. He is the picture of the player guy. Extremely attractive, extremely confident, and definitely has swagger. But can any girl put up with his ways? In the song he warns: 'I know I got a problem, a problem with misbehaving.' We have been warned.

So where will this story go? Will they cheat on each other in front of each other's faces? Let's keep looking at the video. In the part of the song where he says 'a problem,' they show women's faces. His problem is women, I guess they are like an addition to him. Then the video shows Taio sees the girl, and she smiles at him almost as in saying 'yeah, I see you.'

Then they do their couple thing: they dance together. Wow, in front of all the women Taio was with? yes. In front of the guys the girl was with? yes. This is more bold than walking together or holding hands... Or even the romantic boat ride.  The truth is, there is a comfort between him and the girl that is indescribable. I can never watch my man be that close to a girl's face without there being a problem. Maybe they have been together for years, or maybe there is a comfort that is just there. Like i said, they have met their match. Let's go on.

Then the infamous Taio does it again! He somehow turns away, starts dancing with another girl. The girl is looking for him, like where did he go? and he is not around. Then we see the clip with him sitting down around the gorgeous girls again. Seems like the girl is falling..... Just like the song says: 'If you fall for me, I'm not easy to please.' Couldn't have said it better, you will only get your heart broken if you fall (in love, lust, whatever they call it nowadays). Taio also warns he is not easy to please, meaning the girl could give him good conversation, good sex, good times, and he might still get bored. Like I said earlier, players sometimes get addicted to the act of chasing more than the actual conquest. Can this girl do it? Can she keep his interest more than a couple of seconds of dancing? Let's see. 

Ludacris comes on to co-sign on Taio Cruz's lifetyle. He says he will 'break your heart into tiny bitty pieces...losers, weepers.' This shows again, how falling in love is the big joke. Why fall in love? you will lose (by having your heart broken) and you will end up in a corner weeping. It is really not the girl's inability to be interesting that the guy leaves, is that the guy is stuck in showing off his manhood by the amount

of his conquests.  Also, he is looking for something outside of himself to complete him. Like a bad addiction, one most come back to keep drinking from the fountain that is not filling. If it would ever fill the need, then one would stop looking. Almost at the end of the song, Taio is showing some maturity and reflection: 'I know karma is probably going to get me for being so cold.'

While he is singing that, him and the girl seductively look at each other (also, like are you ready for this?). Then they kiss other people (at the same time, almost scheduled, rehearsed, like an act).  The interesting thing about it is how one can separate the matters of the heart with physical affections. Who Taio is kissing and who the girl is kissing doesn't matter. To them, kissing is a sport. You do it to have fun, to pass the time, let the best player win. It is telling by them looking at each other that they are just using the other people (you cannot kiss yourself), but also as an instrument. To make each other jealous? To show each other that they are not falling for each other? It's hard to tell the delicate intriquicities of the heart, one thing is for sure.

They sure do care for each other, because they keep paying attention to each other throughout the party (no matter how many beautiful eligible candidates are around). After the kiss (almost theatrical), they then look at each other  and are lovi-dovey (I don't know how to spell that word). 

Now let's just stop. When was the last time you kiss someone and then right after they go and hug someone else? This is not normal, but it gives a clue to the casualness of this whole thing. Forget casual sex, these people are casually kissing (some people say that is more intimate than sex, the reason why hardly any kisses in Pretty Woman.) They also look to each other to bounce off reactions, is this ok? Are you seeing this? Then they look and hold each other afterwards, the way two people might after a rollercoaster ride (do you believe that I just did it? The courage!).

Then the video has Taio and the girl in a bed, all cozy. He's still singing, then more clips of their boat ride together. In the party, Ludacris does a toast with the girls (maybe not getting your heart broken?) and the infamous Taio Cruz, once again, does not disappoint by kissing one more girl before they leave. In the end, they are together and escape in the boat. 

This song and video say a lot about the state of relationships today. Do people see catching feelings as losing, and not doing so as winning? Does the person who cares less the one who wins? This is all a fake sense of relationship. But it's not really what a relationship is (mutually exclusive).

This open relationship (the guy is a player, the girl is bi it seems like) how can trust harbor under these conditions? Does this video and song depict some people's view of relationships today, just a more honest version? (we all know the boyfriends who cheat and lie about it, then before all is done, the girlfriend finds out and she never trust guys again.) Are they just two confused broken people scared to like each other but obviously doing so? I would say the latter as they keep going back to each other. Until one is tired of the games, it will all keep going to the vicious cycle. But hey, at least this video makes open relationships seem like a party (where your boyfriend kisses other girls, and the girl kisses other boys). Everyone goes home afterwards, like nothing has happened. But don't get any feelings (can you stop them??!?!?) then you might 'break your heart' and 'losers weepers.' 

Party by Beyonce ft J Cole

Watch the video here:

http://youtu.be/XWCwc1_sYMY

'We like to party' says the chorus. who can disagree with that? The first time I heard the song I thought it was a cool summer song. but then I listened to the lyrics.  I had to say, I was kind of shocked that Beyonce at this stage of her career is singing these type of songs. Then I saw the video, and yes it did not disappoint to display exactly what this song is about. I admit when one listens to the song, that is all one leaves with 'We like to party'. However, that is not what the song is about. The rest of the lyrics and the video point to a different meaning to this summer song.

First part of the video/ first verse: Beyonce comes out of a room, later on we see that it is a trailer park. Is this a movie? Is she's a movie star? Is she stopping by on one of her tours and having a party? No explanation is made but in the video she's in this trailer, then there is a party outside and later on, it seems like an after-party in a hotel room. She comes out of her room, she is wearing garters (dressed appropriately for having sex) then some yellow t- shirt attire over it. The shirt says 'summer,' again putting the mood of the song. It also has cartoon-like ice cream cones.

There are a couple of thing in that: Yellow is the color of the sun, brings happy mood, but also...makes her look younger.  Its a very young color, which makes sense as this song and video is appealing to a younger audience.  Further on, the shirt has some cartoon-looking ice cream cones (representative of innocence and childhood) and a red belt thing and the garter belts hanging off her body.  Already, the  video is suggesting (mind you, this is analysis you have to question and bring into thought the reason for everything) that she just got busy (why else would someone walk out with some gaters?), put on a shirt over it (the trailer does have windows she doesn't want to walk around almost naked), and going to the  kitchen to make something to eat. Maybe the guy is still in the room, maybe she is making him breakfast. Who knows?

So let's listen to what she starts saying: "I may be young but I'm ready... to give you my all"

When she is singing 'I may be young' the video goes to a girl, she looks 15 and lost.  Dressed like she is older than what she is.  She looks broken and like she needs help, not like she is ready for anything. When Beyonce sings 'to give you all my love,' just in case you are wondering what she means, the video goes to another clip where she is dressed up and brings her hands down by her  breast and looks at the camera (us) suggestively.  Multiple clues here all pointing to.... I maybe young (girl looked 15, 16, definitely still in high school) but I am ready (to do what?) give you all my love (have sex with you, but her version sounds nicer, I know.)

Then the next lines 'I told my girls you can get it. Don't slow it down, just let it go.' The video proceeds to the trailer.  The room is filled with girls (3 of them).They look 15 to 16 year old... all again, the audience the video and song is meant to reach. I stop and I think. Beyonce is in her 30s. Why is she partying with people of that age? She is holding a cup I would imagine a 5 year old drinks out of.  Again, innocence? Naiveness? Definitely an intent to reach a young audience. Even in the other clip, she is holding on to a bubble maker toy, that you blow. I played with this when I was 5.She has a lot of little girl cute stuff (the shirt with the ice cream cones, the bubble maker toy) as to say, let childhood go, become a woman by having sex with your boyfriend.

So here she is in her yellow shirt with the ice cream cones, the girls around her which she is a decade younger (surely she only hangs out with non-family 16 year olds in music videos, people hang out with people their own age unless it's family.) Why is she doing this? I think to myself.  Why at this stage of your career and influence over teenage girls are you putting out this message? To lose their virginity? Is this is what you want to say? But this is my initial shock. Beyonce never ceases me to shock me with her talent and then her backward songs once in a while (hello 'Diva,' what was that about?).

The next lyric of the song goes to justify: 'so in love'.  Which is really interesting, at that age its not love.. as we later learn.. It's lust.  A more accurate description would be 'so in lust'. This is used as an argument to 'give it up'... you are 'so in love'.. that is why 'I told my girls you could get it'.

Let's go on.  'I'll give it all away, just don't tell nobody tomorrow.' At this time, the video shows a girl (she is not even 16) and a little kid (what? 15?) and they are looking at each other. The video clearly is relaying the message, oh yeah give it up to him.  But the interesting part is don't tell anyone.  So there is a sense of this is wrong, I shouldn't be doing it. People hide things when they have something to hide, it is something shameful not everyone should know. But there is the questions of character. Who are you when no one is looking? According to the video, the message is, as long as you don't get caught then you are fine.

The video and song then goes into the part that is prevalent in the whole song.. the sense of urgency...  Don't just give it up, you must do it soon. How soon? Tonight!! Beyonce proclaims over and over in the song.

'We will be knocking until the morning light'.  The way Beyonce says knocking and brings her thigh up, revealing her gater sex gear (in case you missed it the first time).. It's all a reference to.. sex, giving it up, being a freak, doing it 'whichever way'.. yeah we get that. But its also making a reference to a popular song that led people to giving it up called 'Knocking boots.'

 Second part goes to the chorus (which is the only part the song gets recognized for talking about, partying). The video starts going into the party scenes. Solange is outside wearing all american shorts, being the DJ, and the chorus is about to start. Again, something we can all agree with 'we like to party.' There is scenes of Beyonce, with girls in her room. Then the party scene, all youngters. You do have to love the token gay guy (is he albino?!?) with the flower pin (just in case you questioned it). There is the white rocker with the Led Zeppelin shirt.  And once again, Beyonce dressing young and colorful trying to fit in with these cool youngsters.

Next scene:  Beyonce lyrically is talking about 'your touch is driving me crazy' while wearing a outfit that would make anyone want to touch.  Her boobs are out and alluring and her eye makeup is too heavy for a teenage party, let alone a pool. She is also wearing heels inside the pool, which makes no sense. But this is a music video and , like dreams, they don't have to make sense.

She also keeps wearing this bunny ears looking horrible thing.  Her doing so made me realize how cool Beyonce is perceived to be, she can do anything and get away with it.  But honestly, that is UGLY.

Other shot goes to a girl sitting on top of the guy next to his lower level area.  This is very subdued, but this is actually referring to one sexual position.  It is very fitting as the entire song (except the chorus) is about giving it up (and by giving it up, they mean losing your virginity). This is the first clip we see youngters acting it out (in a not so obvious way). The camera is also angled, so again, it can be easily missed.  But we can all agree, when people sit down on the floor this it is not normal for a girl to sit by the guy's dick. It's not like they are dancing or something.

Then the clips go to Beyonce sitting around with some couture type of outfit. I wondered a lot about this then it started to make sense.  Although she is cool enough to hang with high schoolers, she is a megastar. Her wearing this specially designed couture type of high fashion outfits, she is distinguishing herself.  Not only as a star, but also a wage-earning adult who can consume some of the most expensive clothes in the world. She can hang with the young people, but here she is setting herself apart. It is very interesting because teenagers love fashion, and a lot of the idols that they look up to usually have something they don't have.  She is establishing this role: I am at a level you might never reach. Setting up a kind of a pedestal that they can look up to.  Also, of course, it displays Beyonce's beauty.

So here it comes: the next level and most interesting part of the video: the hotel after-party!

First J Cole comes in a luxury car (of course, establishing his celebrity status). When he gets out... and this is when its going to get deep.. before he comes out there is a black snake. I stopped the video, I asked myself why is there a snake? If it wasn't meant to be there it would be edited out. And what type of snake? Did they have to fly it in? Is it from another continent? What complications had to go to have a snake in the video (and also not hurt anybody)? This made me look deeper into answering those questions. Then they gave it to me in the next scenes:

In another car (not luxury, regular I would say). We see J Cole standing on top (great, who cares).
Then we get another clip with him standing up and Beyonce on the floor (the woman is wearing expensive clothes, and it looks like a hot Arizona type heat.. why the hell would she be in the floor?). Then the next car scene, Beyonce and J Cole are at the same level. Its a sit down type of level, better than not being on the floor, but not tall and proud like how J Cole first began. Snake and these things made me look really deep.  And this is what I think:

Adam and Eve! 

There is a snake (the devil), the man (standing up in a closeness with God), then there is the woman (Eve who falls, that's why Beyonce was on the floor)....And then.. both of them on the same level, Eve led Adam to sin and then both of them were cast out of Eden. Still living, but missing the innate closeness they once had with God. Then you know the story, the whole creation has been suffering ever since.

Then I think of the song.. It's all about telling it's audience (young girls) to give it up (lose their virginity).  The song is not tailored to men (I guess no need to, they all want to get laid already), but it is to women (little girls actually).  God gave women the power of influence, just like Eve influenced Adam to sin. The song is telling girls (not yet women) to lead men to sin.. to bite the apple of fornication. Very deep.  Very subdued, very easy to be dismissed.

Don't worry, I thought this was just a party song too once you only listen to the chorus. But no, listen to the rest of the lyrics. Listen to the rest of the song. Another bible reference: J Cole comes and 'Thanks God' for Friday.  Beautiful people, if you had any doubt. Snakes, men and women falling and standing reference then the God reference to seal the deal. I aforementioned how Godly things are mentioned in unholy songs and videos in my 'Bottoms up' review. You might think this is too much to decipher from Adam & Eve story from these clues, but don't be surprised. How did the whole Wives trend begin? It began with Desperate Housewives, the show that made Eva Longoria famous. The cover and promotion for the show was all the wives holding an apple next to the tree of life. Shakira's album 'Oral Fixation' was her as Eve complete with the leaves on her naked body and the apple. The Bible is one of the oldest books of the world, and many references are made to it throughout pop, books, and culture.

The rest of the video has a lot of clips of girls in booty shorts ( no faces clips, just their lower area). Beyonce putting makeup on in the bathroom. Then Beyonce in the bed as she is talking, once again about 'give you everything.'  As we already don't know what she is saying, she is laying in the bed, like come on.. get here.  This is the next step...

Then the video goes out into the yard where the party originally started.  Beyonce has Kelly Rowland from Destiny's Child come on and keep making the video look acceptable and cool.  They are wearing the trend Rihanna made famous, its called I'm-not-wearing-any-pants-trend.  Yeah, you just wear panties and wear it in a way that makes it look cool (does that ever look cool?). Lady Gaga also popularized this trend about the same time as well: besides her 'Eh,Eh Nothing else I can say' video do you recall her Yankees game outfit? Hideous.

Then Beyonce with some furthering strutting in her yellow rabbit fur and rabbit ears (who wears fur in the summer?) and she is walking like she's in a runway and trying to look like she is mowing the grass at the same time.  Then we go to another clip she is looking like a bit Rihanna to be honest. Then the thing she does with her lips and the way she mimics the song it looks a little too much JLO for me. Jlo always did that in her videos, I don't know what that's about.

More couture outfits, more garters, and she scratches the trailer the way a virgin might scratch the back of the guy once she 'gives it all up' to him. When? Tonight!!! I guess after the afterparty. And its done!!! What I think its amazing about this song is how you can listen to it 5 times and miss completely the lyrics. The lyrics do not hide its message. The video confirms it, give it up tonight. Beyonce uses her influence to blatantly tell teenage girls to give up their virginity to a guy and 'don't tell anybody tomorrow.' It sickens me because hey, tell that to someone older with more sense. Not a girl that doesn't know anything and just wants to fit in with everyone else. Beyonce stands for women independence and everything, and I think this video is one of those senseless pointless song and videos she makes once a year ('Telephone'... really Beyonce ?!?!).

Things like this makes it hard for me to be a Beyonce fan. I like her pre-Sasha Fierce. Something has definitely happened to her, I'm not talking just J-Z, and new look but also her work! her songs! the messages! Something has changed, and not for the better. All the way from 'Independent' to this song I would say its a long way down. Nothing wrong with showing your sexuality (we got enough of that in 'Kitty Kat,' a song about the literal pussy/cat connection) but I have a problem you advicing young women to give it up. With sky-high teenage pregnancies and the normalcy of  it being displayed in the media by having a show titled '16 & pregnant,' I think the world is at a loss for morals.  Add this song to the mix. But don't forget.. we like to "partyyy."

Looking at it a little deep, you may not agree... This is THE CRITIC.

Bottoms Up by Trey Songs & Nicki Minaj

Bottoms up  can refer to 2 things. There is the first meaning which is bottles up (have the drinks up, so when you finish the drink others can see the bottom of the bottle up in the air).

Another meaning is bottom as booty. The gluteus maximus is constantly being referred as the behind, the junk in the trunk, one can also see it as a bottom (opposite of top referring to the upper body). Adding 'up' at the end complicates the meaning.

Bottoms (butt)  up as in 'up in the air'. This only happens during sex, when the butt is elevated from the bed. This is most famously referred to as the doggy style position.

Bottoms up, the complete meaning is referring to girls giving it up, preferely in the doggy style position. Of all sex positions, one could argue this is the least intimate of all. The guy is having sex with a person but only visually seeing the butt area, which is highly arousing to some men. It is in this position the person is not visually seeing the face. It is very easily focus on the pleasure of the sex rather than sharing the moment with a person (very differently than missionary in which partners can look into each others eyes).

So that is the breakdown of both meanings. Which one is Nicki and Trey Songs referring to? Well let's see.

The song plays on the bottoms up as the first meaning. Bottles facing up therefore someone has  their drink up and closer to being drunk. However upon looking at the video and a closer look at the lyrics points more to the second meaning, girls 'giving it up'. It being their bodies, all towards the fulfillment of a male fantasy.

Let's take a look at the lyrics:

He is inviting every 'girl in the world' to give it up to him. And 'shake it in their jeans'. Shaking in the jeans is an invitation to the guy, beginning of arousal. He gets aroused by seeing the goods shaking in front of him. Like animals giving a mating call, the guy is drawn to the girl.

The reference to every girl in the world, just like the doggy style, is a separation from the connection of bodies through sex from the person who you are sharing the moment with. The act becomes more important than the person. Trey doesn't care who he sleeps with, it could be any girl from any part of the world. This part is also a nod to the summer hit "I want to Fuck every girl in the world" by Lil Wayne. This song is about fantasy and the desires of his flesh. It is the fantasy since one man can't sleep with every girl in the world. That is half the population!! But it hints at wanting something and it's never enough. It doesn't fill you so you have to come back for more, hoping the next conquest fills the emptiness the others left you.

Next part of the song: How does Trey plan to seduce the girls? While he instructs them to  shake their goodies, what does he have to offer?

"I'm a walking bank." He thinks by being a celebrity and getting paid more than most of the population assures him the right to have anyone he wants. Society has no problem with this. But you would have a problem dating someone who thinks that way. This is called a player, someone who cannot control their sexual desires.

 Trey knows money means security. Women like to be secure, safe and taken care of, so this can be appealing to them. However, only in marriage will you have legal access to the guy's money. Before that, any dinners and gifts he gives, it's out of choice.

 Let's think about this for a little. Any girl from 'anywhere in the world' has to have a hot body, shake their goodies to attracts the men. The guy flaunts himself as a 'walking bank.' Is this a strip club or a club??? Only in a strip club women are so hungry they will do anything (and let the guys do anything to their bodies) to get money. By offering money for the women's services (giving it up, having sex, sexual touch), this transanction is too close to prostitution. Although the song points to a regular club, the video points more to a strip club. The women are behind glass, to be watched and desired.

But this is not to say that the first meaning of 'Bottoms Up' has lost all revelancy.  There is also a lot of emphasis on drinking throughout the song. The idea is to have sex after getting drunk. Go to the club, drink until you can't walk. Shake butt in jeans (like jingling keys an invitation to come up).  The dancing seduces the guy, now he wants to have sex. If this doesn't do it, then grinding of the sexual parts against each other, only with a few strips of clothes between them, will do the trick. The girl can then end up at some baller's house ('the walking bank guy') getting ready to get it in.

'Bottoms Up.' Clever but dirty. Double pun like Shakespeare in his day.

Let's move on to the video.
The video is full of girls which we don't see their face (another nod to doggy style).  The video mostly focuses on thighs and butt area. They bend, they squeal, they are strippers; no matter how much Trey sets the song lyrics in a regular club. That scene is a physical representation of what the guys want to do to the girls. Don't see their face, enjoy their thighs and butt areas, get aroused, and get off.

Strippers mean fantasy, however in this song the guy expects to conquer. Not a stripper. But a regular girl at the club. The guy's fantasy could become reality. No matter the scene of the video, we all know this is a club song.

If you combine both meanings of bottoms up, what do you have??
"Bottoms up, bottoms up"speaks of a ritual. Party, drink, then have sex.

If you think me too prude, ask any college guy. They know a drunker a girl gets, the higher their chances of "hitting it." Guys pass this knowledge to other guys for generations. Yea sorry if it's first time you hear it. You have been warned.

This song has no morality. No question or thought for tomorrow. It doesn't flaunt any of the possible consequences for these actions. It's not a commercial for liver cancer (consequence of bringing too many bottoms up), addiction, rape, or oh yeah: kids. Like the movie 'Knocked up' warns: don't drink and bone.

No morals? You say? This is just a fun club song!!! You defend. You are being sold a lifestyle every time it comes on. Trey glamorizes being drunk with the phrase 'alcohol hero.' I never knew throwing up in toilets late at night was glamorous. Or babysitting your friend because they are too drunk to function. And you go ask a family of a drunkard if it's fun. Alcohol hero!!! Please.

But we know this is  going to be a shady song from the beginning. Trey calls himself 'Mr. Steal Your Girl.' With no respect to previously agreed upon sanctions, his plan is to get a girl so drunk she can't walk then seduce get to so something she will regret in the morning. This is your idea of a fun night?

Nicki Minaj  part.

Double meaning in Mary Mary.

Mary Mary is a Christian music gospel duo. It sounds like she is repeating Mary for sound effect but this is actually a double meaning pun, again a technique popularized by Shakespeare in his day.

She then adds another religious reference "Mary and Joseph," the earthly parents of Jesus Christ. Why is Nicki Minaj putting all this religious references in a song about "Bottoms up"" <--- unholy activity?

Because it's a technique. It makes things less shocking. By putting holy things in a unholy song it takes away the effect of the potency of religion. It makes it seem like the activity is 'ok'. Just like Kei$ha says 'I got Jesus on my necklace" in her song 'we are who we are.' This insensitivy to regilion is similar to the feeling of sin. The more you sin the less the effect becomes. At first you feel horrible or even guilty but then it becomes common, each time the hurt of falling into sin becomes less painful.

'Say hi to Anna Nicole Smith.'
A woman used so much by the industry. She was messed up, drugged up most of the time. Incredibly beautiful in her Guess model days.  She died a horrible death. Nicki Minaj suggesting she say hi to Mary and Joseph suggesting she thinks Anna Nicole Smith went to heaven. No comment on that one.

'Now bottoms up' (as in let me pay my respects to the dead by  drinking.) This reminds me of the hood videos where is someone died and the friends throw liquor on the grave. I never got that.
I guess liquor is a depressant and it helps people heal when they are hurting. By temporarily drinking away the pain, it's a moment of reflection of the person that previously passed. Maybe that's it.

Botttoms up? What does it mean? Drink all the way so I can see the bottom of your drink or bring your 'bottom' up to fuck? I think the song means both, a double pun. Clever, full of wit. Preferably  one following the other.

 You don't have to agree. This is just my analysis. Looking at it a little deep. This is, the critic.