“All About That Bass”
The month of May must have been doing its Indy 500 imitation because it just sped by! Surprisingly (that’s sarcasm), we have an air quality alert for the next few days. I know part of that is because the temperatures are going to climb. But, there’s a part of me that figures the exhausts of all those Indy 500 cars as well as the hundreds of campers and thousands of cars of the spectators had to contribute to that. I could be all wet, though! So, welcome to the last Monday in May and another edition of Songful Style! Suzy and Shelbee decided to riff (see what I did there) on Style Imitating Art only with music! Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge, Suzy of The Grey Brunette, and I make up the bloggers in this group. You can find all of us on our blogs and Instagram. Our ensembles (pun intended) may be inspired by the lyrics of a song, the artwork of the album cover, maybe the MTV video, or even a memory the song evokes. Michelle (who has decided to retire her fashion blog) picked this month’s song. Last month, I chose “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” You can see my look here. Oh, and there’s a link party, too!
The artist…
Meghan Trainor was born on December 22, 1993, in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Her parents were both jewelers who encouraged her musical ambitions. In her early teens, Trainor joined a cover band, Island Fusion and sang, played guitar, piano, and bongos! She also wrote her first song. When the family moved to North Eastham, MA, she studied guitar, played trumpet and sang in the jazz band. Her parents encouraged her to attend songwriting conventions. She also released three albums independently between the ages of 15 and 17.
A little more…
In 2012, Trainor signed with Big Yellow Dog Music even though she’d been offered a full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music! It was during this time, she met and worked with various artists and producers as a songwriter, lead singer, and background vocals. In 2013, she met producer, Kevin Kadish, in Nashville. In November, they wrote “All About That Bass.” Trainor has said it took them about 45 minutes to complete the song. “The song was inspired by Trainor’s struggle to accept her appearance and her feelings of insecurity about looking at pictures of herself (source).” The two spent months trying to find someone to release the song/album. One of the problems was the doo-wop nature of the song.
Still more…
Eventually, Trainor met Paul Pontius, the A&R man for Epic Records, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation. He introduced her to L. A. Reid, the label chairman, for whom she sang the song. He signed her 20 minutes later. The song was released on June 30, 2014 and debuted at number 84 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on July 26. It would take several weeks before hitting number one, which occurred on September 20. The song spent eight consecutive weeks at number one. In 2015, “All About That Bass” won the Top 100 Song as well as Top Digital Song at the Billboard Music Awards. In 2016, Trainor won “Best New Artist” at the Grammys.
The song…
Because you know I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass, no treble I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass, no treble I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass, no treble I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass... bass... bass... bass Yeah, it's pretty clear, I ain't no size two But I can shake it, shake it, like I'm supposed to do 'Cause I got that boom boom that all the boys chase And all the right junk in all the right places I see the magazine workin' that Photoshop We know that shit ain't real, come on now, make it stop If you got beauty, beauty, just raise 'em up 'Cause every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top Yeah, my mama she told me "don't worry about your size" (Shoo wop wop, sha-ooh wop wop) She says, "Boys like a little more booty to hold at night" (That booty, uh, that booty booty) You know I won't be no stick figure silicone Barbie doll (Shoo wop wop, sha-ooh wop wop) So if that's what you're into, then go 'head and move along Because you know I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass, no treble I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass, no treble I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass, no treble I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass... Hey! I'm bringing booty back Go 'head and tell them skinny bitches that No, I'm just playing, I know you think you're fat But I'm here to tell you... Every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top Yeah my mama she told me, "don't worry about your size" (Shoo wop wop, sha-ooh wop wop) She says, "Boys like a little more booty to hold at night" (That booty booty, uh, that booty booty) You know I won't be no stick figure, silicone Barbie doll So if that's what you're into, then go 'head and move along Because you know I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass, no treble I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass, no treble I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass, no treble I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass... Because you know I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass, no treble I said I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass, no treble I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass, no treble I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass... Because you know I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass, no treble I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass, no treble I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass, no treble I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass... Hey! I'm all about that bass 'Bout that bass... Hey! I'm all about that bass Bout that bass... Hey! Yeah yeah... ohh... You know you like this bass... Hey...
What does it mean…
Some songs have heavy, deep meanings. Some songs don’t. This is a song about embracing yourself before embracing someone else. It’s a song about realizing a big booty (bass) and small bosoms (treble) is not a bad thing. “The lyrics of ‘All About That Bass’ are a call to embrace inner beauty, and to promote positive body image and self-acceptance (source).” It may not have originally meant this, but I think it warns us about thinking what we see on Instagram, blogs, or TikTok is real. I don’t filter my photos because I’m too lazy to figure out how to do it! But, I definitely pick the most flattering angles! What you see is, honestly, what you get.
Controversy…
The song is not without its detractors. Many feel it is just a novelty song. Others accuse Trainor of cultural appropriation. Some feel the song is anti-feminist, feeding into the trope of what women need to do to attract a man. Others feel the song denigrates women of slender build. I found Trainor’s responses of “loving your booty and loving your body” as well as “just kidding, I know even you think you are fat” to be rather thoughtful even though they were probably just off the cuff remarks. You can read so much more about this song here.
The video…
Interesting covers…
I love, love, love this one! It’s from Postmodern Jukebox which is a musical collective with different instrumentalists and vocalists (see the list here). They take modern songs and give them that jazz or swing slant.
I couldn’t not include Jimmy Fallon, the Roots, and Meghan herself! I love these videos and love how artists are willing to just embrace the moment!
I was really hoping my favorite Norwegian heavy metal one man band, Leo Moracchioli, would do a cover. And, he did! I just love his energy even though I really don’t like heavy metal.
This street band does an amazing job with the song, but I didn’t see that many people dancing! I love that the guitarists are just jamming away without any note while the girls are using their phones!
My interpretation…
I honestly wasn’t sure how to approach this song! I remember really liking it when it came out because it’s just so bouncy and fun. But, when I watched the video, I realized it was going to take some real thinking! I love the pastels, the clothes, and the joyful nature of the video. At one point, I noticed Trainor wearing lots of collars and brooches. I just happened to have a lace shirt with a nice collar! So, I built this outfit from those collars! I don’t really have lots of pastels in my closet with the exception of cardigans. Then, I remembered these palazzo pants from Kantha Bae (see a different look here) and found a pastel colored cardigan (Talbots, old). And, with that, my look was born! If you look back at the older post, you’ll see the pants styled as a dress. These things are so long! I had to be extra careful when I was moving because I kept stepping on them! I’ll have to wear taller shoes.
The Lewk!
Like Trainor does in the official video, I pinned a sparkly brooch at my collar. It did double duty because my sweater didn’t go up as far as I wanted it to go. So, the brooch is holding my sweater and my blouse closed. I added a clear topaz bracelet, earrings, and a rose quartz ring for some extra zhuzh. All of these are from eBay and are over a decade old. The L’Artiste sandals are tricky! I walked right out of them. If anyone has a trick to adding a back strap, I’d appreciate it!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I struggled just a bit with doing this particular Songful Style. Several weeks ago, Meghan Trainor really put her foot in her mouth. She has a podcast and was talking with her guest, Trisha Paytas, about the dangers of schools, mainly kids needing “bulletproof backpacks.” As they continued to talk, Paytas brought up homeschooling as a means to avoid mean kids and teachers. Paytas then said, “Teachers, that was my trauma.” Trainor responded with, “Eff teachers!” Since that time, Trainor has issued an apology and reached out to some of the educators who let her have it on TikTok (source). I know what it’s like to get riled up and say something spur of the moment. But, I also think, when you’re a podcaster, you probably know the kinds of things you should and should not say. As I pondered this incident and the song, I also thought about cancel culture. I even wrote a post about that. My overriding feeling is that Trainor probably was sincerely caught up in the moment and said something she definitely regretted. Would she have regretted it if teachers and others hadn’t called her on it? I don’t know. Trainor did say both she and her husband had experienced bad teachers. My guess is we all have but don’t have the public platform to say so. I choose to accept her apology and move on. So, can we talk? Which of these covers appeals most to you? Do you think songs and music can define the way we feel about ourselves? How would you interpret this song? Please leave a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as possible. I think I’m finally caught up on comments and blogs! Yay, me!
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Thank you!
I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for your support! I appreciate the comments, emails, and subscribers! Thanks so very much! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here!
Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, The Grey Brunette, and Away from the Blue. I also link up with This Blonde’s Shopping Bag, Doused in Pink, I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, and Style Splash. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend with Michelle every Thursday. I also host Final Fridays on the last Friday of the month as well as 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
And, now, it’s your turn!
Please link up your favorite posts…cooking, baking, DIY, fashion, gardening…it really doesn’t matter as long as it’s family friendly! If you don’t have a blog, please poke around. You just may discover a new blog! Suzy has chosen “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” by the late great Tina Turner for next month.
That Postmodern Jukebox is absolutely FANTASTIC! I don’t think I’m following them but I shall have to now, they’re amazing!
I love what you did for your outfit, Marsha. I did the same thing with a brooch at the neck too. I don’t have any pastels in my wardrobe either, apart from a couple of cardigans too!
I didn’t know about Meghan’s faux pas on her podcast. What a shame, but I bet she regretted it as soon as it came out of her mouth. Poor girl. We all do and say stupid spur of the moment things, don’t we?
I hope you’ll find next month’s song a bit easier Marsha!
Big hugs
xxx
When we lived in Las Vegas, we were lucky enough to see Post Modern twice. I don’t know if they’ve returned to performing since the end of the pandemic, but they have lots of videos.
Oh, that would have been fun! I really like their sound!
Oh, I have to tell you…I showed Mike that video and was just as enthralled watching it the third and fourth time as the first time. I love that kind of music anyway!
Thanks, Suzy! Once I noticed that detail with the brooch, I was good to go! I was lucky to find a pastel cardigan at the bottom of one pile!
Yeah! I think you are completely right. She opened her mouth, said something dumb, realized it, and apologized. If only other people would realize!
I’m looking forward to next month’s…no idea, and Lord knows I don’t have the legs, but I’m going to do Tina justice, I promise!
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I absolutely love what you did for this interpretation, Marsha! Those palazzo pants are super fun! I had a big pile of pastel colored cardigans up until my last closet clean out. I was super bummed that I didn’t hold onto a single one of them! For your sandals, I wonder if you could use neckerchiefs or skinny scarves as ankle straps. Tie the edges to the side straps and then wrap the scarf around your ankle and tie it in a pretty bow! You may want to wrap them under the sandal as well to keep them from slipping. I agree with you on Meghan’s foot-in-mouth moment. I am sure we have all experienced bad teachers. I sure have. Some that have left me with lifelong insecurities. But for all the not-so-nice people I had as teachers, I had just as many wonderful teachers and a whole bunch of in-between ones who left no lasting impressions whatsoever. I am always reminding my kids that teachers are flawed human beings just like the rest of us. And just like the rest of us, they deserve grace and forgiveness, too. Fun post as always, my friend!
Shelbee
Thanks, Shelbee! These pants are so cool, but they are really long! You can’t tell, but I have the waistband rolled over even and hiked clear up under the boobs! Hmmm…I may try that with the scarves. I’ve got to do something because they’re comfortable otherwise!
After calming down, I decided to give Meghan some grace. She’s still young, and we’ve all been there when we get caught up in the moment. I do believe her apology was sincere. I think part of her vehemence was due to the fear of sending our kids to schools with guns being at the forefront of everyone’s mind right now!
First off, I think you nailed the outfit with the lovely pastel colors. It’s a terrific look!
As for the song, it never occurred to me some might take it as anti-feminist. To me, it was the opposite. Embrace who you are, and if a boy doesn’t like it, then eff him. Don’t try to change yourself, or be sad because you’re not 5’10” 120 pound model.
And yeah, she screwed up with her eff teachers comment. She was guilty of over-generalizing. And we’ve all done it, and she apologized. I mean, I liked school. But I also had some crappy teachers. It didn’t ruin school for me. But I think for people who floundered in school, a crappy teacher could leave indelible marks on their psyche and self-esteem. And then sadly, those teachers are remembered rather than the good ones.
Well that was a tangent!
Michelle
https://followingmymuse.space
Thanks so much, Michelle! I still really don’t see how it’s anti-feminist at all. In fact, I think it’s very pro-feminist because it’s telling the guy to walk away if he doesn’t like what he sees! Maybe, the anti-feminism was in the overly feminine look of the video? IDK!
At first, I was really pissed to read this. Then, I took a breath, realized she’s still young, and remembered how many times I’ve put my foot in my mouth when I was years older than her. I choose to give her grace for her comment. As for bad teachers, sometimes, it’s in the eye of the beholder. I remember a teacher at my building who was one tough cookie! She expected her students to toe the line all the time. But, they adored her! When she retired, the gym couldn’t hold all of the people who came to celebrate her! So, some kids may have hated her and that’s what they remember. Others loved her and that’s what they remember. Another woman (I’m not going to call her a teacher) down the hall from me was such a liar…almost compulsive…everyone who didn’t really know her thought she walked on water. Those of us who knew her and her lies and backstabbing ways knew she was toxic! She had a private meeting with the principal every morning before most of us got in. I’m sure she fed him lie after lie. Those two were two of the primary reasons I retired so early. And, of course, they were both gone from that building in two years!
Well, that was another tangent!!!
I didn’t realize there was any controversy around this song. I always thought the meaning was to accept your body and be proud of it. Love your interpretation! This is such a pretty look!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks, Jill! I was really surprised, as I was researching the song, to discover the controversies!
You look fantastic Marsha and I love your interpretation of the song. Adding the sparkle at the neck with the brooch was a great idea Those little additions make such an impact!
I really like Meghan Trainor and the song. I swear you can never make everyone happy – why do people have to search for something to be upset and offended by? Ugh!!!
xo,
Kellyann
Thank you so much, Kellyann! As soon as I had that little detail figured out, the rest of the outfit came together.
I was really surprised at all of the controversy surrounding the song. I honestly loved her answers to all of the naysayers. She was just writing a song trying to build up her confidence as well as others.
The Palazzo pants in your outfit are fantastic. The postmodern jukebox is awesome and there is no controversy in the song at all.
Thanks so much!
Can I just say that we need more songs about this subject?? And blog posts. And a change of our mindset to accompany it all.
Love the skirt and how you wore it!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks, Jodie! I think we do need more songs and blog posts. But, I think we need to honor (not really the right word, but I can’t think of the right one) those who don’t feel comfortable in and with their bodies.
I forgot how much I loved this song! Love the pretty colors of your look. I adore the pants and the adde bling to your top!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! I was glad to be able to wear these pants again on the blog. This song is such a fun one, right?
I love what you came up with. It is interesting to me how we often hum song and don’t know the lyrics. I haven’t really listened to music much lately except older things and sometimes I am surprised about lyrics when I am looking for music for my reels. While I am all about accepting our bodies, I am definitely one to choose the best angles for my blog pics!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! I love reading those articles about misunderstood lyrics…there have been a bunch I’ve sung completely wrong for a long time! And, then, when you find out the right lyrics, it’s like, “How in the world did I misunderstand that?”
Funny enough; I saw this blog post title this weekend while on vacation (and checking emails!)… then heard the song on our way out hiking. I’ve always liked it because I do think all women seem to have some sort of body issues plus it’s such a fun and catchy tune. I wouldn’t have had any clue how to dress for it either but I like the outfit you came up with.
Thanks, Joanne! Coincidence? Hmmm…maybe the universe is telling you to buy a new outfit…hahaha!!! I was very surprised to read about how so many people had problems with the message of loving yourself.
The pastel cardigan, white shirt, and sparkle at the neckline is a wonderful interpretation (that bypasses the whole bass vs. treble issue entirely).
Thanks, Sally! I was so naive when this song was out…I had no idea bass and treble meant anything other than music. But, I remember being confused about what that had to do with the rest of the song!
I don’t use filters either. I’m pressed for time as it is! I love this outfit you put together for the song. It looks fabulous on you!
Thanks so much, Laura! It came together once I decided on a collared shirt with a brooch.
You look gorgeous so you wouldn’t even need filters! I just can’t imagine the work people go into those things.
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