I’m not fascinated by Susan Boyle’s voice. I’m not fascinated by the fact that a homely looking woman can sing beautifully. I’m fascinated by the media’s pressure to give Susan Boyle an extreme makeover. And I’m even more fascinated by Susan’s response:
"For now I'm happy the way I am - short and plump. I would not go in for Botox or anything like that. I'm content with the way I look. What's wrong with looking like Susan Boyle? What's the matter with that?"
Indeed. What is wrong with Susan Boyle looking like Susan Boyle? Is our celebrity-crazed society so focused on looks that it is impossible to be a star without being “beautiful”?
Is this about celebrity or is this about how our society views women? I have had conversations with friends about losing our identities in relationships. We change our looks, ideas, and activities – all for the sake of maintaining a relationship (whether it’s intimacy, business, social, etc.). And then we wake up one day and realize we don’t even know who we are. As one friend described it, “I don’t even know what makes me happy anymore.”
I wrote a song that will be on the new album. It’s called “She Gave Up On Herself”. Sounds sad, I know – but it’s not. It’s more a song of empowerment. And it’s a good ol’ upbeat shuffle.
Here’s the words:
Once upon a time she didn’t feel this way.
She was happy and so full of life – and looked forward to every day.
But she fears that that woman now is gone
And that’s left her wondering, where did she go wrong?
She gave up on herself.
She gave up on herself.
She gave in because she thought she needed him so bad.
She gave up on herself.
She gave up on herself.
She gave in so much she gave up on the best thing she had.
At the start, it was only little things.
Just a way to make him happy – and try to keep the peace.
But after awhile, she couldn’t seem to find her voice.
She’d lost it slowly – with every silent choice.
Cause she gave up on herself.
She gave up on herself.
She gave in because she thought she needed him so bad.
She gave up on herself.
She gave up on herself.
She gave in so much she gave up on the best thing she had.
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