Women have often been the subjects of popular songs around the globe.

From country to hip-

hop, women are a very prominent subject matter within music. However, women’s rights, issues,
and protests have also been prominent subject matters within music. Artists like Taylor Swift,
Dolly Parton, Beyonce, etc. allow women the space to feel proud within their own feminist
identity and empower women around the world to stand up for themselves.

In titling her first released single, “Video,” after a source of many girls’ lack of confidence, the
singer India.Arie Simpson calls the audience to examine why we determine our self-confidence
based on what we see on TV, music videos, movies, etc. This is a perfect title for a song that
attempts to make a statement that women do not need to look like video vixens to be beautiful.
Arie’s talent, in both singing and songwriting, serves as an example that women should not be
judged based on their looks, but by the people they are and what they offer to society.

“Video” serves as commentary on what society deems as pretty, perfect, and feminine. Simpson
says herself in a statement that, “[Video] is a statement on the importance of staying true to one
identity—that femineity and sense of self aren’t determined by material things, but in who you
are and what you believe is most important in the world.” That is why the start of the song is so
powerful. She sings, “Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I comb my
hair and sometimes I won’t.” Women are supposed to always look put-together. That means
actions like shaving legs and combing hair are almost ingrained into our society as expected.
Simpson is taking back that power from our patriarchal society by doing what feels right to her.
She doesn’t have to do what society expects women to do in order to feel good about herself and
look beautiful.

She continues this commentary in singing, “I’m not the average girl from your video, and I ain’t
built like a supermodel.” The “average girl” she is referring to are the women that are shown in
many music videos. They have fake hair, fake nails, are generally smaller, and they do not wear
much clothing. She continues by singing, “but I learned to love myself unconditionally because I
am a queen.” She repeats these lyrics throughout the entirety of the song. Even though she isn’t
what society deems as a supermodel or worthy to be on a music video, she is worthy. These
lyrics are an attempt to break down the harmful beliefs that women have to look like
supermodels to be loved by society or themselves. Not all women look like the women they
show in music videos. Women deserved to be loved by others and themselves no matter their
looks. She sings, “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.” She knows that she is perfect the way
she is and encourages others to not compare themselves to anyone else. Only look at yourself in
the mirror.

She also comments on the idea of society making women feel less than a lady. She sings, “Am I
less of a lady if I don’t wear pantyhose…. But I’ve drawn the conclusion, it’s all an illusion.
Confusions the name of the game. A misconception of vast deception. Something’s got to
change.” Men have created these ideas about women that cause misconceptions around every
aspect of women’s lives. This spreads from generation to generation, causing generations of
women to see these false ideas as true. We as a society have to recognize these ideas as false and
try to build women up rather than tear them down.
Overall, “Video” is a song coming from a woman that is confident within her own talents and
beauty. It encourages those feelings of self-love in other women by explaining that beauty comes
from within, not from comparison. It is a song that continues to try to break down the obstacles
that women face every day in regard to beauty standards, and it does an exceptionally good job at
it.