Last night I expected a little too much of myself.
I incorrectly assessed that after a rousing St. Patrick’s Day celebration with Mike’s fam, I would be able to return home and quickly get to work on my latest sex post.
But, alas, I set the bar too high and instead welcomed this distraction from my bff Cindy,which of course turned into a late night chat.
WARNING: This video may be hazardous to your health.
I’m certain inspiration for Rebecca Black’s “Friday” was drawn directy from How I Met Your Mother’s Robin Sparkles “Let’s Go to the Mall“.
I honestly could NOT stop laughing at this video. Mike and I immediately called Cindy and serenaded her in gratitude for opening our eyes to the real days of the week and their proper order.
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This video is so ridiculously baaaaaaaaaad that I thought it was a joke, until Mike looked it up on Wikipedia.
We related the important facts to Cindy, amidst my uncontrollable bouts of laughter.
But, that’s when Cindy totally Jesus Juked me and said, “Keri, you know there’s a pop parable in this right?”
All credit for this one is owed to Cindy, the secondary writer who never writes on this blog, but is almost always present at brainstorming sessions.
Famous for Being Famous
Rebecca Black’s single “Friday” was released on itunes on Monday (how’s that for irony!?), which was the day before Tuesday in case you didn’t know.
The video went viral on YouTube, soaring from 3,000 views to over 16 million in just a week’s time.
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Here are some of the things being said about Rebecca Black around the Internet and on her Wikipedia page:
- Matthew Perpetua from Rolling Stone magazine reviews her vocals as having a peculiar tonality that inadvertently highlights the absurdity of boilerplate pop lyrics, further stating that her sound is not entirely agreeable to listen to, and sounds like a distinct singer with an alluring sort of anti-charisma.
- Others have said that Rebecca Black is bizarre, inept, hilariously dreadful and a YouTube laughing stock
I feel sorry for this poor 13 year old girl who was apparently ill advised.
To endure such criticism on the Internet has got to be much worse than any other kind of middle school shame.
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Cindy pointed out that the worst part is that Black is gaining notoriety for precisely the things for which she does not want to be known: anti-charisma, a terrible singing voice, and absolutely no talent.
For someone seeking to break into the music business, this episode could be the kiss of death for Black. Some have even tweeted her as the Black Plague.
What are you known for?
Are you known for the right things?
Or, is your presentation of the Gospel the complete antithesis of what a follower of Christ should look like?
Some adjectives that are often used to describe Christians and Christianity:
Self-righteous
Judgemental
Stone thrower
Useless religion
Irrelevant
exclusive
Bigot
Hateful
Hypocritical
Bible-thumpers
If only the word Christian could be inseparable from these terms:
hands and feet of jesus
mercy
GRACE
genuine
relationship
LOVE
humility
peacemaker
light
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13 “You are the salt of the earth.
But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16
Are you retaining your saltiness or have you turned into a YouTube laughing stock?
What three words would you most like others to speak about your faith?
When given the option do you prefer Kickin’ in the front seat or Sittin’ in the back seat?
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For cleansing of your auditory pallette and a little Friday morning dance party, I offer one of my boys’ favorite songs by Israel Houghton, called “Say So“….all about showing the world His Likeness.
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Rebecca Black’s video is not that bad. Her song is not that bad. I’ve heard SIGNIFICANTLY worse over the 20 years I’ve been in radio. Honestly, take out that section about “today is…” in the middle and it would probably get some decent dance club/radio airplay. The flood of people hating on that poor girl make it appear she’s worse than reality. Believe me, I’ve heard songs that make this song sound like Stairway to Heaven. Mostly songs sent to the Christian stations I’ve worked for over the years.
I understand where you’re going with this and I agree with your sentiment. My only beef with these kinds of discussions where we say “the world knows us as…” is that the world HATES Christ. His word tells us that. While we should do our best to reflect Christ, we shouldn’t let the world’s definitions of us be the factor by which we decide how we carry out our lives. If we’re truly living like Christ, we’ll still be called everything you listed because we would be living counter to the world’s definitions of life and advocating that others choose to turn their back on the world’s standards.
I hear that a lot from people. I’m kind of curious though. How do you explain your stance in light of what it says in Proverbs 16:7 (“If a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him).
Yes, certainly there have been worse songs and videos made/sung/written!
This one is just getting its’ 15 minutes of fame.
Of course I agree with your statement that the world should not define how
we live our lives. The only thing that should define that is God’s Word and
His Truth, being guided by the Holy Spirit to live the example that Christ
set out for us to follow. While I strive to live like Christ, I
consistently fail in certain areas of my life. And, there are some people
who push my buttons and seem to know how to bring out the worst in me.
Okay, wasn’t finished with my comment when it went through…
I think what you’re saying has truth on a macro level, but I also know the opposite to be true in my own experience on a micro level. I have had people who hated me with a passion come to love me because I purposefully showed them the love of Christ, by acting as Jesus would act. Perhaps the world as a whole will still look down on us as Christians, but we may be able to share His love with individuals. And, you never know who God is working on. I wholeheartedly believe that it is He who softens hearts and draws people to Him. But, I still walk in obedience and strive to show His love to those around me. Doesn’t mean every single person will turn to Him; there are still those who hate Him and hate me because of Him.
I hope that I am known for loving God and loving people. And for laughter.
Matt, I would definitely say those things are true of you from what I’ve read.
And, you definitely make me laugh, so I hope you’re laughing too! Happy weekend!
I couldn’t stop thinking about the scene from Godfather: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Wednesday… Haha!
Josh tried to show me this video last week, but I wasn’t in the mood for ridiculous. Then I saw it again yesterday, and I’m sorry I watched the whole thing. I definitely feel bad for the little girl being mocked every where. It makes me wonder if someone ever tried to give her critique. And…It makes me wonder what I’m putting out there that I think is good, that others think is ridiculous.
It’s crazy that anti-charisma was actually being written in a good way. Yikes!
Between a couple of Rolling Stone articles and this post, I’ve definitely been given a Jesus Juke. I won’t be surprised if this gets featured on a POTSC post too.
It’s so easy to mock and make fun of this. In all actuality, she’s 13 and had this opportunity to make a record and she was probably thrilled. She didn’t write the song and probably was 100% coached through how to say it and the video. I feel terrible for the mean spirited things that those psychotic YouTube commenters are saying. Seriously, they are relentless.
And for the record, I’m ALWAYS kickin’ in the front seat. Mostly because there is more leg room to do my ninja kicks.
Oh boy, that’s a pretty “funny” video. Yikes!
As far as what am I known for? I hope it is as a passionate man of God. Loving God and mankind. With that said, I may have to empty out my pockets full of rocks.
Oh and I prefer to kick it in the front seat. Oh yeah!
Moe,
>>I hope it is as a passionate man of God.
As one son to another, and as a man who considers you a brother, I will stand with you on this comment and agree with you wholeheartedly. Your passion is blatant, and Jesus has been enthroned upon your very heart.
Are you retaining your saltiness or have you turned into a YouTube laughing stock?
What three words would you most like others to speak about your faith?
When given the option do you prefer Kickin’ in the front seat or Sittin’ in the back seat?
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1. Don’t rightly know. I haven’t had anyone deliberately mock any of the videos I have made for my blog. Jury’s still out on this one.
2. Relentless, authoritative, and trustworthy. (Yes, I am referring to my faith, my relationship with God my Father through The Son.)
3. Back seat, all the way.
Are you retaining your saltiness or have you turned into a YouTube laughing stock?
My saltiness is full tilt, although I’m thinking about becoming a youtube laughing stock.
What three words would you most like others to speak about your faith?
Consistent, Authentic, Hopeful.
When given the option do you prefer Kickin’ in the front seat or Sittin’ in the back seat?
Kickin’ in the front seat of course, I can’t see the road from the back.
omg, i can. not. WAIT. to watch this video when i’m not at work.
but.
when you mentioned the ‘let’s go to the maaaall’ video from ‘how i met your mother?’ i could not stay silent.
because that video? and the fact that robin is a former canadien pop star? IS HILARIOUS.
xo