Big Fat Deal's Top 5 Size-Positive Songs for Girls Who Rock Their Curves
Mopie sent me the link to the current Top 5 Meme going around the blogosphere (god, how did that term infiltrate itself into my vocabulary? I hate myself every time I use it) so here’s the official Weetabix-sanctioned list of Top 5 Songs That Glorify Fat Chicks (And Also Rock).*
1. Sista Big Bones by Anthony Hamilton
Frankly I admire your style
How you go into work everyday
Confident in your walk and your stride
Got my nose open wide, miss thangI’d like to take you on a nice date
Shoot some riddles have some vittles with you
Make no mistake I’ll be a gentleman
Take your coat open doors things I’ll do
Ok, this just rocks. I first heard this song in a Lane Bryant of all places, and then ended up bonding with the saleslady who told me that it is her favorite song to play in the morning when trying to figure out what to wear for work. I sort of love it and then I saw the video, which is completely awesome.
2. Baby Got Back by Sir Mixxalot
The entire song is quotable, but really? It all boils down to this:
My anaconda don’t want none
Unless you’ve got buns, hon
Really, this song should piss us off. It’s as much about the objectification of women as any song about perfect tits or asses. It was even banned from MTV for its crude lyrics. And yet, for some reason, we just don’t care. If you’ve ever been to a dance bar and saw the crowd reaction when the DJ plays up this old standby, you already know that the thick soul sistahs have claimed this as their national anthem. It’s over 16 years old and yet, I still love this song. For what it’s worth, 1-900 Mixxalot is no longer in service but I encourage you to kick them nasty thoughts just the same.
3. Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen
Now I got mortgages on homes
I got stiffness in my bones
Ain’t no beauty queens in this locality. (I tell ya!)
Oh, but I still get my pleasure
Still got my greatest treasure.
Heap big woman you done made a big man out-of me!
It seems as though gay boys always appreciate those girls who rock their curves. And maybe it’s because they, like certain fat girls, possess a fabulousness that is not appreciated by mainstream society. While Freddy Mercury is identified as being gay, he described himself as bisexual, and the idea of him worshipping at the altar of a naked BBW makes me happy. As does this song.
4. Some Girls are Bigger Than Others by The Smiths
Some girls are bigger than others
Some girls are bigger than others
Some girl’s mothers are bigger than
Other girl’s mothers
Once upon a time, I was a tragic punk girl. I fixated on The Cure, had giant bangs that hung over my eyes to shield me from the tragedy of the world. This was pre-Emo and if I had any idea that my originality would become such a fucking stereotype, I probably would have written epic poems using my rhyming thesaurus about how unjust and cruel the world was. You have no idea how much this embarasses me now. No idea. But while I may rock the corporate world now rather than the dance floor of our local Under 21 alternative club, my iPod still contains a healthy number of my teenage obsessions. And The Smiths? You have to love The Smiths. Another confession: I was in late 20s before I realized that Morrissey was gay. I just thought he hadn’t found the right girl yet. And with this song, he ensures that he will always have someone to buy him drinks at the dance clubs.
5. Big Girls Are Best by U2
She’s ellipitical
Also political
All so spiritual
Not superficial
Yeah, she’s tropical
Yes, she’s illogical
Those little girls are a pest
Big girls are the best
I always assumed that Bono would groove on the emaciated fashion model type, but then I found out that he wrote this for his wife after she was having trouble losing weight post-partum.
So there’s my list, but I want to hear from you! What do I need to add to my iPod?
*(I must also mention that if this list were ranked on videos alone, Lo Rider’s “Skinny” would be number one. However, based on lyrics, not so much.)
Posted by Weetabix
Filed under: Fat Positive, Video
I can’t think of any songs to add to the list, but queens fat bottomed girls is one of the best songs ever!
Wow, I don’t even know songs 1, 4, or 5. This is why you are awesome, Ms. Bix.
I also have to throw in a vote for “Big Bottom” by Spinal Tap, from whence one of our taglines comes. (I’m sure you can figure out which one.) I know the song is ridiculous, but this really hot guy I had a super huge crush on way back in the day used to quote the song all the time. (“The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'”)
And then we had sex.
Actually, “Fat Bottomed Girls” was written by Queen guitarist Brian May. He even takes lead vocals for the chorus. So, as awesome as Freddie Mercury is, Brian May deserves the credit here.
HA! This is a prime example of why I love the comments on BFD as much as the posts… I am always learning something new. Go Brian May!
Mika has a great one on his latest album too, “Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)”.
You take your skinny girl
I feel like im gonna die
Coz a real woman needs a (real man has why)
You take your girl and multiply about four
Now a whole lot of woman needs a whole lot more
I’ve been feeling down
I’ve been looking round the town
For somebody just like me
But the only ones I see
Are the dummies in the window
They spend their money on clothes
It saddens me to think
That the only ones I see are mannequins
Looking stupid, being used and being thin
And I don’t know why I hang around with them
The way they act, I’d rather be fat than be confused
The way they act, I’d rather be fat than be confused
Okay, so it’s kind of a stretch to call a Belle and Sebastian song “positive.” But hey, this one’s for the emo kids.
According to Wikipedia, Morrissey considers himself “asexual” and has been rumored to be celibate. I think it’s cool that there is some mystery around him, because really, his sexuality isn’t anyone’s business.
I really, really wish the “Baby Got Back” song would just go away. If you’ve ever been to a BBW-centric event they play it every stinkin’ time. I didn’t like it the first time…nor the 250th time. Ugh. Pretty please, make it go away.
“Fat bottom girls, you make my rockin’ world go ’round.” Queen was fabulous.
It’s not about fat girls a all but I find Prince Charming by Adam and the Ants to be seriously empowering. I was totally sitting upstairs and thinking about writing a whole entry about it. *grin*
Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you’re handsome
Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you’re handsome
Prince Charming
Prince Charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of
Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you’re handsome
Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards
Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards
Prince Charming
Prince Charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of
Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you’re handsome
Silk or leather or a feather
Respect yourself and all of those around you
Silk or leather or a feather
Respect yourself and all of those around you
Prince Charming
Prince Charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of
Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Stop being dandy, showing me you’re handsome
Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards
Don’t you ever, don’t you ever
Lower yourself, forgetting all your standards
Prince Charming
Prince Charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of
Prince Charming
Prince Charming
Ridicule is nothing to be scared of
While it’s not specifically about fat girls, I’ve always liked “Beautiful” by Joydrop, especially the chorus:
“I’m not beautiful like you
I’m beautiful like me”
The verses are good too:
“If I was beautiful like you
Oh the things I would do
Those not so blessed would by crying out murder
And I’d just laugh and get away with it too
Like you do
If I was beautiful like you
I would never be at fault
I’d walk in the rain between the rain drops
Bringing traffic to a halt
But that will never be
That will never never be
‘Cause I’m not beautiful like you
I’m beautiful like me
Beautiful like me”
Okay… this takes a bit of work because it’;s not a direct link, but YOU ALL MUST GO. Visit Lynne Jordon and fast forward her player to the second song… “It Takes a Great Big Woman”. PLEASE!!
Oops I must have messed up the html when linking! It’s http://www.lynnejordan.com
Eeee! This is a hoot. And Rotund, I have always LOVED the lyrics to Prince Charming. Adam Ant, in spite of being a classically good looking dude, wrote some terrific lyrics about being a proud underdog/outsider/dork (including his biggest US hit, “Goody Two Shoes”).
One of my Ants faves is “Five Guns West” (written for pirate captains Anne Bonney and Mary Reed). The chorus goes:
I’m a big, tough man,
With a big, tough plan,
Gonna take a whirl,
With my big, tough girl.
I’m a big, tough man,
With a big, tough plan,
Gonna spend my life,
With a big, tough wife.”
Also, Sistah Big Bones is fantastic! Why have I never heard this song before???
I suggest you try a listen to the Beautiful South’s “Perfect Ten”. Not only does it have great lines like “the anorexic chicks, the model 6, don’t hold no weight with me; Now 8 or 9, well that’s just fine, but I like to hold something I can see”, it also compares some women’s obsession with their dress size with some men’s concerns with the size of their manhood, which I find amusing.
I am quoting the lyrics from memory, so I might be a bit off. Also, as the Beautiful South were a UK band, so a UK 6 is about a US 2.
LOVE IT! I’m glad you submitted your top 5 – otherwise I wouldn’t have found your blog!
“Passion” by Cardenia. I’m not sure if every version is the same, but the version I have has a heavy techno beat and a reggae rapper before the sung chorus. It’s on the album 100% Energy, a mix of techno music. It totally gets me pumped during cardio and is about a guy trying to get some attention from a girl with “a big, big butt.” Talk about some empowerment while you’re on the elliptical. I’m kind of a sucker for the reggae accent anyway (a la Sean Paul).
Morrissey again: “You’re The One For Me, Fatty”. Always brings a smile to my lips.
Love your site and that first song that is nikki from the Parkers,great show..she is so pretty and funny…
Michelle
What needs to happen here is a mix CD, my friends. A Big Fat Mix CD.
I like Beautiful by Christina Aguilera
also there is a song by Mika (that I haven’t heard) called
Big Girl (You are Beautiful)
This RAWKS. I always sing “Fat Bottomed Girls” at karaoke and it’s fabulous!
I blogged about Leonard Nimoy at my own blog, by the way.
I agree with mo pie – we need a mix CD!
I always thought Morrissey was expressing disgust or mocking of fat girls in both of those songs (“Some Girls are Bigger than Others” and “You’re the One for Me, Fatty”), but who knows. Maybe because of the line in the “William, It Was Really Nothing” that goes “How can you stay with a fat girl who’ll say, ‘Would you like to marry me, and if you like you can buy the ring’…”) I really like all of those songs, but I never thought of Morrissey as a particularly… not-mean… kind of person.
I found this posted over on Songmeanings.net by someone using the handle ‘robotrogelio’ If this is true, I think it is lovely, lovely, lovely:
“I remember reading somewhere that “You’re the one for me, Fatty” was a quote by a British actress who was married to a very overweight Magician who was also quite famous. He being the fatty, was very insecure that she would leave him and she was often qouted in interviews saying “You’re the one for me fatty” to reassure him of her love for him.”
Aww… that is pretty cute. I hope that interpretation is the correct one. :)
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I can’t believe I forgot this one, but I was listening to it in my CD player this morning – “Girl for All Sesons” by Northern State. The full lyrics are here, but it’s an awesome feminist rap anthem. Here’s a sample:
If I could turn back the hands of time
and have a dime for all the hateful thoughts in my mind
like- I can’t do this and I can’t wear that
are my hips too big, does my ass look fat?
might as well be superman, not a supermodel
there ain’t nothing you could buy in a fancy bottle
that’ll ever let you love your own reflection
girl, close that magazine with your introspection
cause you could feel good winter, spring, and fall
and when summer time comes you gonna have it all
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Oh ladies, how can you miss India Arie’s “Because I am a Queen” song? Let me remind you of those wonderful lyrics:
sometimes i shave my legs and sometimes i don’t
sometimes i comb my hair and sometimes i won’t
depend on how the wind blows i might even paint my toes
it really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul
i’m not the average from your video
and i ain’t built like a supermodel
but i learned to love myself unconditionally
because i am a queen
i’m not the average from your video
my worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
no matter what i’m wearing i will always be
india arie
when i look in the mirror and the only one there is me
every freckle on my face is where it’s supposed to be
and i know my creator didn’t make no mistakes on me
my feet my thighs my lips my eyes i’m loving what i see
i’m not the average from your video
and i ain’t built like a supermodel
but i learned to love myself unconditionally
because i am a queen (yeah)
i’m not the average from your video (woo)
my worth is not determined by the price of my clothes (whoa)
no matter what i’m wearing i will always be
india arie
am i less of a lady if i don’t wear hose
my mama said a lady ain’t what she wears but what she knows
but i’ve drawn the conclusion
it’s all an illusion
confusion’s the name of the game
a misconception a vast deception,
something’s got to change
don’t be offended this is all my opinion
ain’t nothing that i’m saying law
this is a true confession
of a life-learned lesson
i was sent here to share with y’all
so get in when you fit in
go on and shine
clear your mind
now’s the time
put your salt on the shelf
go on and love yourself (love yourself)
’cause everything’s gonna be alright (love yourself)
i’m not the average from your video
and i ain’t built like a supermodel
but i learned to love myself unconditionally
because i am a queen (yeah)
i’m not the average from your video (woo)
my worth is not determined by the price of my clothes (whoa)
no matter what i’m wearing i will always be
india arie
keep your fancy drink and your expensive minks
i don’t need that to have a good time
keep your expensive cars
and your caviar
all’s i need is my guitar
keep your cristal and your pistol
i’d rather have a pretty piece of crystal
don’t need your silicone
i prefer my own
what god gave me is just fine
(oh hah hah hah)
i’m not the average from your video
and i ain’t built like a supermodel
but i learned to love myself unconditionally
because i am a queen (yeah)
i’m not the average from your video (woo)
my worth is not determined by the price of my clothes (whoa)
no matter what i’m wearing i will always be
india arie
Update: we have a mix CD available from iTunes!
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Have you heard Kristy Agee’s Use What You Got CD? She has a number of excellent songs on there:
* Big Fat Mamas are Back in Style
* Big Red Caboose
* Fat Meat is Good Meat
* Meat on Their Bones
* Built for Comfort
* Use What You Got
It’s so much fun!
Although I detest most country music, and I really don’t like the song, I do have to mention Trace Atkins’ “One Hot Mama,” for these lyrics:
You’re doin’ all you can to get in them old jeans.
You want that body back, you had at seventeen.
Baby, don’t get down; don’t worry ’bout a thing.
‘Cause the way you fill ’em out, hey, that’s all right with me.
I don’t want the girl you used to be.
Trace must like big butts, because he also sang “Honkeytonk Badonkadonk.” Go get em’ cowboy.
Okay, I had to laugh at the opening comments about hearing the Sista Big Bones lyrics at a Lane Bryant. I need to make a CD because I work at Lane Bryant and we are opening a new one this week, so I thought I’d make something fun for us to listen to while we are working our “butts” off. I searched songs about big girls and I ended up here! Love the site! Rock on!!
AHHHH! I just saw you have a tag line from the Humpty Dance! I loved you all already and have turned into a daily – often multiple-times-daily BFD reader – but now I ADORE YOU! I sing the Humpty Dance all the time at home! HOOORAY HUMPTY DANCE!
A great one is “Thick Girls” by Terrell Carter.
you walk around with your head hung low
baby girl you dont even know how beautiful, special you are. just because youre a size 18, don’t let it mess with your self esteem. girl youre a queen.
thick girls, i dont care what youve heard, some are the most beautiful in the world.
You can hear the rest at http://cdbaby.com/cd/terrellmusic3
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This is fabulous! Thank you. Also now to add, “chunky” from Madagascar 2, possibly my favourite.
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I’m sorry, but I can’t take it. Has anyone ever listened to any part of Baby Got Back other than the chorus? It isn’t about fat chicks or plus-sized chicks. It’s about your stereotypical scrawny black chick with a huge ass. It’s objectifying AND not about my favorite kind of women.