I'm Still BeckEye From Da Burgh

Yes, I'm doing some mini-posts today instead of one big one. I'm at work...on Labor Day! How ironic is that? Actually, I guess it's more ironic that everyone has off on a day that celebrates worker's contributions to the country. Ok, so it's not ironic that I'm in the office, it just sucks. So cut me some slack.

I got to thinking, after hearing Faith Hill's new song again last night, about how annoying it is when artists feel the need to tell all us little people that they're still one of us. All the fame and money hasn't changed them a bit, they say. Repeatedly. We hear this in interviews quite a bit, but when a musician/performer goes out of their way to record a song about it, it makes me wonder who they are trying to convince. In recent years, both Hill and J. Lo have put out such songs. Hmm, methinks the ladies doth protest too much.

First came Little Miss Junk in the Trunk's "Jenny From the Block". Now we have Mrs. McGraw's "Mississippi Girl". Although I have an easier time believing Faith's* claim, I think both of them just need to stop wearing those super tight Versace and Gucci gowns because they're obviously cutting off the blood flow to their heads. I don't care what anyone says, money changes people. It doesn't always turn them into psycho divas, but it has some effect. And if someone does manage to remain unchanged by fame and fortune, when it's genuine, I doubt they feel the need to draw attention to that fact. When they have to keep reminding everyone that they haven't forgotten where they came from, they probably have. And really, if they do stay grounded, so what? Do they deserve a medal for not turning into a jackass? Guess what? I'm still the same person I always was but no one cares because I don't have money. I guess going through the normal trials and tribulations of life doesn't matter.

The worst part about these two is that they don't even write their own songs. So, someone else had to write a song about how they haven't changed for them. Seems a bit odd, no? "Hey, I'm still the same old gal...at least that's what my songwriter says." And just what are the important things each one wants us to remember about her?

Faith Hill - I still like wearing my old ball cap/Ride my kids around piggy back. Wow. A beautiful woman like Faith Hill wears a baseball hat?? Good Lord, she must be really down to Earth! And she rides her kids around piggy back rather than stick them with the nanny? How many mothers do that?? Amazing! This is another peeve of mine about celebrities, when they act like they're the only people in the world who have ever tried balancing a career and a family. When they read their kids a bedtime story or change a dirty diaper, we're all supposed to be impressed. But that is a gripe for another time.

Jennifer Lopez - It take hard work to cash checks/So don't be fooled by the rocks that I got, now assets. I'm not sure how to tackle this one. It take(s) hard work to cash checks?? It reminds me of that episode of Seinfeld where Jerry had all of those royalty checks from the Super Terrific Happy Hour and his hand turned into a deformed claw (super terrific carpal tunnel syndrome) from signing them all. I'm guessing that's not what Jen's talking about though. And those rocks she's got? Nah, they're not for bling appeal, they're assets. She's just a savvy investor! Hey, maybe she should invest some time and money into helping out her old Bronx neighborhood. Then maybe we'd all believe her line. But, I guess we should all give her a break. It takes hard work to cash all those checks. She's tired.

*I actually like Faith Hill. She's even on my possible lesbian fantasy list. I just wish she hadn't recorded this song. It's catchy enough, but the "message" just makes me cringe. Obviously.

Comments

Masha said…
Haha... Celebrities forget that acting is only their job. We all have jobs- just because one person is a secretary and another stands in front of a camera all day reading lines, they are somehow better? I didn't think so.
I view celebrities as clowns for adults. When we were little, clowns (well, for those of us who weren't scared of them), amused us, they bent balloons into dogs and hearts, they entertained US! And celebrities are supposed to entertain us. They are clowns for adults. Not goddesses and gods. Sure, their make-up doesn't look like a clowns,but hey, some of them get pretty close with the orange tanning!
Alecia said…
Maybe Jen could write her own song about all her relationships/marriages. She has enough life experience by now, you'd think she could at least put ONE song together about that. I'm waiting...
"From my back up dancer, to the Diddy-rip off master, onto Pretty Ben, who found another Jen, and onto Anthony, happy in Matrimony" Word...
BadGod said…
When I become a super celeb I am gonna be the biggest asshole. I will forget where I came from and just be a fuckin snob. That would be fun.
Lee Ann said…
Must be terrible for Jenny from the block. Being so tired from cashing those checks....poor baby:(
Bailey said…
I love the "She's even on my possible lesbian fantasy list" line.

Very funny.

I won't say that I have a "Fantasy male sex" list. But I will admit to man-crushes. Like David Wright of the Mets....I can admit that he is a good looking guy.
Lavinia said…
Super post as usual Becky!

Alecia that potential J-Lo song is hilarious! I remember reading that she didn't grow up as working class as she tells us.
Apparently she came from a really straight-laced, boring middle-class Catholic home. Who knows what true about her?

All hype and no susbtance eh?
celebrities, always the same.. lol
Brooks Brown said…
Alecia -- you are on to something there. You need to sell that to Comedy Central.

what i think is so funny is the millions of dollars these high profile artists pay to have image consultants and song writers try to sell this "I am one of you" image. It fails miserabley. When and if Jenny was ever on the block, no body cared. She wants everyone to think she is "down" with the common people but yet has to make reference to her bling and bank account. like she is doing them a favor by stooping down to their level.

Four years ago I got an adult cat from the pound named Frederick (he was already named) and that poor cat had a bowl, a little box and a paper bag in his little cage before he hit the big time and met his two sugar mamas.

Now his little song is:

"Don't be fooled by mice that I got.
I'm just. I'm just Freddie from the block. I used to have a bag, now I have a lot, but I don't forget where I came from...."


this is how he tries to prove he is still down with the alley cats outside. word!
BeckEye said…
Just as I thought...most of the negative comments are directed at J.Lo-Noa-Judd-Anthony. No one really wants to take a swipe at Faith Hill. She really seems so nice. But that's what's so maddening about her song. No one ever thought she was an ass! But now that she's singing this song, I almost feel like, hmmm....maybe she really is and she's trying to cover it up. I guess maybe it's more geared toward her country fans who got their britches in a twist over her going Hollywood.

I like the song ideas so far. And I just thought of a better title for this post. It should've been "Don't be fooled by the blog that I got". More punny. Oh well.
Blake said…
I totally agree with your point about the general public getting their rocks off to a story about how celebrities are parents too--"they're just like me!"

BS

Blake
Maybe we're all missing the point that they've ALWAYS been divas, with no regard for their roots (both hair and their origins), collecting rings and men. Maybe they both have a long history of overestimating their work ethic and really believe they're kicking some ass and earning their dough. Maybe they haven't changed. Maybe they've been this self-centered, greedy and shallow all their lives. Hmmm...
Serena said…
I haven't bought a magazine, watched a talk show, or any kind of 'entertainment news' for months now. I still go to movies, but have no access to television or radio. My Good Lord! This is heaven. I get to enjoy the product without having to deal with the high school drama that is Hollywood.
I like my celebrities to be just that-- celebrities. They should carefully monitor their media exposure that the are only portrayed in the most glamorous way, never be shown w/ child, and always in make-up. I don't want to see my celebrities as normal people, because I don't care about them, just their shallow, exotic lives.
This is why I like Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones. They don't share intimate info. about their private lives, but are always happy to talk about their hotel, million + dollar wedding or just how fabulous their lives are in general. CZJ would never be caught dead changing diapers and considers trying to convince people otherwise even more demeaning.
cmhl said…
I don't like that Faith Hill song either... ick. she is gorgeous though, isn't she?
Goan Pao said…
I love celebrities...when in depression watch a Vh1 show about a celebrity..is much better than anything on Comedy central..I feel so blessed that Im not that dumb witted...
then i curse myself for being smart if only I had been dumb I could have made more money....but then Id probably have to cash all those check that would have been tiring to right...
Ms. Finstad said…
Reminds me of how I felt when I first heard the Britney Spears song "Not a Girl, Not yet a Woman". Just what are they trying to prove??