Lily Allen: It's Hard Out Here For a Bitch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0CazRHB0so

I suppose I should tell you what this bitch is thinking
You'll find me in the studio and not in the kitchen
I won't be bragging 'bout my cars or talking 'bout my chains
Don't need to shake my ass for you 'cause I've got a brain

If I told you 'bout my sex life, you'd call me a slut
When boys be talking about their bitches, no one's making a fuss
There's a glass ceiling to break, uh-huh, there's money to make
And now it's time to speed it up 'cause I can't move at this pace

[Bridge]
Sometimes it's hard to find the words to say
I'll go ahead and say them anyway
Forget your balls and grow a pair of tits

[Chorus]
It's hard, it's hard, it's hard out here for a bitch
It's hard, for a bitch (for a bitch)
For a bitch, it's hard
It's hard out here for a bitch
It's hard, for a bitch (for a bitch)
For a bitch, it's hard
It's hard out here

You're not a size six, and you're not good looking
Well, you better be rich, or be real good at cooking
You should probably lose some weight
'Cause we can't see your bones
You should probably fix your face or you'll end up on your own

Don't you want to have somebody who objectifies you?
Have you thought about your butt? Who's gonna tear it in two?
We've never had it so good, uh-huh, we're out of the woods
And if you can't detect the sarcasm, you've misunderstood

[Bridge]

[Chorus]

A bitch, a bitch, a bitch, bitch, bitch [x4]

Inequality promises that it's here to stay
Always trust the injustice 'cause it's not going away
Inequality promises that it's here to stay
Always trust the injustice 'cause it's not going away

I recently watch Lily Allen's new music video for her song, 'It's Hard Out Here', and I really loved it. I think it is provocative and bold and really tackles feminist issues head-on - all while still keeping a catchy tune!

The lyrics address multiple issues that women face, such as the completely skinny woman being the only ideal of beauty, how men can sleep around and not get labeled for it, how many women use their bodies to get ahead in the business and how it is truly difficult for a woman in the working world.
One line that particularly stood out to me was where she says "We've never had it so good, uh-huh, we're out of the woods". This sets Lily Allen aside as one of the few female pop artists willing to address the fact that feminism and women's right still have a long way to go. She is so bold in these lyrics and is adamant that women cannot just rest on their laurels now but have to keep on pushing until our goals are achieved.

I also particularly liked the satirical video set against this song. It starts with Lily Allen getting liposuction and music industry heads commenting on the way she looks, essentially saying that she is disgusting. It then changes to a clan of barely clothed, booty-shaking women dancing around a car who Lily Allen joins. She is making a strong comment about the sexualization of women and how women use their bodies not only to sell the products that they are advertising, but to sell themselves. Lily Allen is then seen in the kitchen with perfect hair and make-up, cleaning a car hub-cap. I got a true giggle out of the statement she is making her, mocking the image of the ideal woman for a man: the subservient, put-together woman who even cleans his most prized possession, his car.

I think that Lily Allen is a true example of a feminist pop star, and I love the fact that she is not afraid of negative press-backlash for her admitting to this and claiming her position in society as a celebrity and a role model for women.