Critic’s Notebook: Katy Perry never ‘Kissed a Girl’

You know what bothers me about Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” -- now officially the song of the summer, after spending five weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100? Not the auto-erotic tease of the lyrics, which keeps Perry inside her head rather than beneath the waistband of some lovely’s Victoria’s Secret finery. Not her groaning, quintessentially brunet vocal delivery, which is actually kind of sexy, built around a neo-burlesque bump of a track and the luscious word hook “cherry Chapstick.”

I don’t think she’s a hypocrite, either, despite being a former Christian artist who’s already semi-engaged at age 23 (to lead dude Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes, who gave her a “Happy Days”-style promise ring in June). There’s lots of same-sex kissing in the Bible, and anyone who’s attended an all-girl Catholic school knows what hanky panky can transpire in such hothouse environments. A little frisson of guilt, which Perry adds in by worrying about her boyfriend’s reaction to her Sapphic lip lock, is ever-potent in pop. (For proof, listen to Ray Parker Jr.’s immortal “Aw, shucks” in “The Other Woman.” )

What bothers me about “I Kissed a Girl” is that, in the song’s video, Perry never actually kisses a girl. She lounges around in some kind of noirish spa environment, showing off terrific gams in her trademark pinup-girl outfits. She raises her eyebrows and pouts as refugees from a George Michael video flounce and giggle, not kissing each other either but at least rubbing her leg. Her sensual experiments include petting a kitten and fingering some frosting on a pink cake. Then voila -- it’s all a dream, and she wakes up next to McCoy her buddy, DJ Skeet Skeet, playing her video boyfriend.*

(An aside: Perry’s biracial relationship with McCoy seems equally “transgressive,” if not as useful for male viewers’ fantasies, as her lesbian reveries.)

Now, Jill Sobule didn’t kiss the girl either in the video for her 1995 song of the same title, which Perry and her top-notch songwriting team -- Dr. Luke, Max Martin and Cathy Dennis, massive hitmakers all, share credit with Perry -- cheerfully ripped off for this season’s hit. (There’s also a prominent pink cake in Sobule’s video -- a sly tribute?) Sobule has said in a blog post that her record label wouldn’t allow it. But the singer-songwriter’s video self did hug her Jenny, and let her touch the hem of her mini-dress, even though the last frames show her impregnated by Fabio.

So what’s changed since 1995? I think the shift has to do with what Americans can tolerate right now in terms of risk. Sobule’s song came during a time of economic strength and social experimentation fueled by pride movements, especially when it came to feminism and homosexuality. In pop, Alanis Morissette had taken female fury fully into the mainstream, supported by a serious gang of girl greats from Tori Amos to PJ Harvey, Bikini Kill, TLC and Hole.

The activist movement that arose in response to the AIDS epidemic, in league with young women’s renewed interest in feminism, linked sexual experimentation to a whole way of life, not just a drunken night on the town. Sobule’s song was considered tame next to stronger statements such as Bikini Kill’s often obscene rants, but at least she added the lyric “and I might do it again!” after detailing her exploits. Plenty of bi-curious sisters (this one included) never went further than a few nights at clubs with names like Meow Mix, but plenty more felt the connection between sexual desire and identity strongly enough to redefine their lives -- and their politics -- on a larger scale.

That’s just not happening now. American culture is retracting. People are terrified by the crashing economy and our slipping status in the world. During such times, fantasies go backward too.

Katy Perry, with her potty mouth and her minister parents and her famous boyfriend, is an early 1960s-style bad girl -- Rizzo in “Grease” for an new generation. Her daring statements contain the hint of an assurance that she’ll come around in the end and settle down. She represents manageable risk: nothing life-changing, but enough to create a memory she can return to once she’s settled down. Like Carrie Underwood lamenting a quickie Vegas marriage in “Last Name,” or Miley Cyrus raging at her boyfriend only to tell him he’s adorable in “7 Things,” Perry is all about mistakes that are reversible, experiments that never go too far.

Perry’s taken heat for carelessly appropriating gay culture in her songs, and it’s deserved. But it’s also par for the course in a conservative moment, when decadent party-circuit role-playing replace genuinely open-minded experiments in sex and love. As far as popular images of bi-curiosity go, I have more hope for Lindsay Lohan. At least she’s been seen kissing a girl.

-- Ann Powers

Photo by Bob Chamberlin/Los Angeles Times

*Thanks to L for the catch.

Comments

[I, Slay The Dragon]

To think: There was a time in Pop
Music when Innovation, Originality,
and genuine COOL, were THE standard. Miss Perry -the former
Christian artist- sold her creative
AND mortal soul, for a tired, tired, agenda-promoting SCHTICK.

[anthony pepe]

great article, ann. very insightful stuff on how the economy and has a direct effect on music.

[L]

that's not actually her boyfriend in the video, its her friend DJ Skeet Skeet.

[K]

Great article, loved the economic tie-in. I think that Jill Sobule's song is a much MUCH better version. Perry's lyrics saying that "It's not what, good girls do, Not how they should behave" is just so offensive. Glad there was an era (however short-lived but hopefully will come back soon) where an artist can make a statement and not have it be reversible.

[Amanda]

Oh come on, Katy isn't trying to put down gay people or anything. Shes just trying to enhance the mystery of the song and try to make it more appealing to make the whole thing seem naughty. Also Ur So Gay has really nothing to do with Gay people, shes just telling a story about a metro sexual ex who she broke up with because he was spending too much time doing other things than he was spending time with her. It had nothing to do with trying to put down gay people. To say that she "deserves" being criticized for your misunderstanding of her lyrics is just bs.

[Virginia]

Bravo!! Could not have said better if I tried my hardest, Ann... Perry the Puppet heading for a "train-wreck" life very early... NB Was having a coffee with my friend and her 9yr old daughter walked thru her lounge singing this song with theatrics!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why are the Music Cos. even allowed to market this thru mainstream radio stations!! Irresponsible all the way up the line!!! Money rules all....

[M]

oko, first off all, whoever does her PR should get a PR of the year. She is one of those copy cats.
i saw her live on Tour and Ididn't get it. we need someone who actually is cool enough and not a product with no brain.. i am sorry katty or kattys fans. but if you say “It’s not what, good girls do, Not how they should behave” you should really stay home.... are you actually dissing gay people in that twisted way?
read somewhere that she wants to be the next Joan Jett, or Cyndi Lauper. i mean for real? i took also the impression that she wants to be like Gwen Stefani when she started with no doubt, YOU CAN NOT touch the COOLNESS if this is where the pop culture and world is going , we are truly screwed.

[Alisa]

She is so original and the first time I heard her "I kissed a girl" I was hooked. The lyrics are so primitive and basic, yet they say so much. Her video is so thought provoking and it has so many meanings. As for girls kissing, who hasn't kissed a girl?
She is fresh, original, controversial, and will definitely raise some brows.
Its time that this new talent emerged to take us in a whole new direction...of music I mean.

[Metal]

A dog kissed her.

http://www.darrenhayes.com/dh/images/blog_images/katyperry.jpg

[Matt Preston]

While your economic points are of interest you're missing two vital facts.

1) it's called i kissed a girl.. not i am kissing a girl. So for her to be kissing a girl in the video wouldn't be correct. it's past tense. Quite simple.

and 2.. something that so so many people seem to completely forget when it comes to songs.The lyrics are not always about the artist!! Sometimes it's just lyrics!

Whether you love or loath this song it's catchy and popular. Which is what pop music all about. It's popularity speaks volumes i think.

[Diane]

I dont think with lyrics like It’s not what, good girls do, Not how they should behave” this is not offensive to gay people she is refering to societies narrow views on homosexuality people still do think its wrong etc. who cares it's a fun catchy song!!!C'MON Katy!!!

[Natalia]

WOW!!! its just a good song. why is everyone taking it so serious. where in the song does it offend gay people? I'm gay and i like the song. PEOPLE LIGHTEN UP!!!

[angie]

it is the best song ever "i kissed a girl and i liked it, the taste of her cherry chap stick, i kissed a girl just to try it, i hope my boyfriend dont mind it, it felt so wrong it felt so right dont mean im in love tonite i kissed a girl and i liked it....i liked it!"

i love it as you can tell!!!

[Bianca]

OMG!! i'm freaking straight here and i like the song!! I agree w/ 1 of the pple who left a comment here lyrics r just lyrics and hav nuthing 2 do w/ the artist and also where the hell dose it offend gay pple??? i've heard the song like wat 30 times now and i've nevr heard any offending lyrics towards gay pple idk wat twisted vesion u guys heard but the 1 i got is unoffensive towards gay pple

[Tony]

The song may be popular and yet still rather trite. It isn't uncommon for something that has a socially bankrupt message to be elevated to the status of "popular". The words, as well as the melody itself, are imbued with a sense of immaturity ("I hope my boyfriend don't mind it").

Yes, I am well aware of artistic liberty, but in an age when the youth of the United States is already descending to the "lowest common denominator", (to use a tired cliche), let's support an original artist who can actually serve as a role model.

I have specifically refrained from addressing her underlying message that it was all a mistake anyway.

[Rude02]

My beef would be with the team behind her: PR, record studio, manager, etc. Katy Perry is just a bobbing head with a nice voice but nothing to say.
Heard the song, it’s catchy but anyone born before 1990 knows that. It says a lot about how lame they are by choosing a song that’s not even old enough to be called retro. 13 years ago? That song has not reached the age of consent. I don’t care how many pre-teens are shaking their money makers to all the notorious but NOT original baby-hoe lyrics. “I Kissed a Girl” is reheated meatloaf served to kids ‘cause they are the only ones not old enough to know you are lame!
Even Jessica Simpson’s soapy re-run of “These boots are made for walking” have more originality points.
The new age of Pop… and it’s all about - sex FOR the boys - TO girls- and money for the old fart machinery. So yeah… economy is all about the music industry too.
On the plus side: don’t think many gay people will think its offensive...

Teen rebellion is dead.
Hello veiled porn for kids.

[dylan]

Im gay also and was nowhere near offended
Its just a fun song
Relax people honeslty
Just listen and have fun with it
Don't freak out lol

[stephanie (:]

ok, some people really need to stop reading so far into things. can you not just accept the fact that its a song! and for all those people who say she cant sing and that the song is a terrible version on the original, how about you do better! and all these comments on the line "its not what good girls do, not how they should behave", remember three simple words, its a song! and for that matter, good girls don't usually go around kissing girls, they barely even kiss boys ! so basically its not katy's fault if there's people in the world that read way further into things than there supposed to. personally, i think the song's brilliant, as are her others. C'MON KATYY!!!

[Gwendolyn]

Confused by the line, "There’s lots of same-sex kissing in the Bible" -- where?

[Amy]

This Article is true but I love that song and everybody does even some boys do. Miley and Katy are awesome singers! They don't have to be what you think they are. Miley and Katy have a right to sing about anything they want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who cares, if she didn't actually kiss a girl, it doesn't matter, it's just a song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Heather]

I find it very hard to believe that Katy Perry's pseudo-sapphic tendencies are anything more than marketing. After all, what's really unique about her besides them?

[ms. lyde]

I heard the song for the first time today on the Today's Show by Katy Perry and was upset. I highly respect that show and watches it daily. This morning I somewhat lost some respect for the producers allowing that woman to sing that song, I kissed a girl... I thought the song was ridicules and parents should be outraged at the thought of their teenagers listing to such mess. That is the problem with the world today, embracing worldly standards. The song is really the type of song that draws youth and young people. The trouble is that youth sometime tend to believe what comes out of the singer's mouth. If they have poor role models in the home or no positive role models in the home, they will try these crazy things. I have read my bible many times and I do not remember reading about a woman kissing a woman. If it was there, it had to be addressing the impurity of the situation. God made man for woman and any other way is biblically wrong. I wish more people will stand up and not let their children listen to this song. I want a response sent to me.