Songs that suck: Promiscuous

About a month ago, I was reading this great post over at Literal Mom about songs that suck.  She was talking about songs that are catchy and therefore everywhere, yet completely inappropriate for children (and maybe for adults, too).  

As soon as I read it, I immediately thought of the song “Promiscuous” by Nelly Furtado.  Now, in full disclosure, I think this song is so catchy that I in fact own it.  I have never once played it around my children, however, and even when I listen to it, I feel a little icky because if you get past some of the cleverness of the banter between Nelly and Timbaland, the lyrics themselves are a bit disturbing. 

I’ll let you read them for yourself first, then tell you why I think it fits Missy’s definition of a Song that Sucks below.  The lines in purple are the ones that Nelly (the “promiscuous girl”) is singing, versus the “promiscuous boy”.

“Promiscuous”
(feat. Timbaland)

Am I throwing you off?
Nope
 Didn’t think so

How you doin’ young lady
That feelin’ that you givin’ really drives me crazy
You don’t have to play about the joke
I was at a loss of words first time that we spoke

You’re looking for a girl that’ll treat you right
You lookin’ for her in the day time with the light
You might be the type if I play my cards right
I’ll find out by the end of the night

You expect me to just let you hit it
But will you still respect me if you get it?

All I can do is try, gimme one chance
What’s the problem I don’t see no ring on your hand
I be the first to admit it, I’m curious about you, you seem so innocent

You wanna get in my world, get lost in it
Boy I’m tired of running, lets walk for a minute

[Chorus]
Promiscuous girl
Wherever you are
I’m all alone
And it’s you that I want

Promiscuous boy
You already know
That I’m all yours
What you waiting for?

Promiscuous girl
You’re teasing me
You know what I want
And I got what you need

Promiscuous boy
Let’s get to the point
Cause we’re on a roll
Are you ready?

[Verse]
Roses are red
Some diamonds are blue
Chivalry is dead
But you’re still kinda cute

Hey! I can’t keep my mind off you
Where you at, do you mind if I come through

I’m out of this world come with me to my planet
Get you on my level do you think that you can handle it?

They call me Thomas
last name Crown
Recognize game
I’m a lay mine’s down

I’m a big girl I can handle myself
But if I get lonely I’ma need your help
Pay attention to me I don’t talk for my health

I want you on my team
So does everybody else.

Baby we can keep it on the low
Let your guard down ain’t nobody gotta know
If you with it girl I know a place we can go

What kind of girl do you take me for?

[Chorus]
Don’t be mad, don’t get mean
Don’t get mad, don’t be mean

Hey! Don’t be mad, don’t get mean
Don’t get mad, don’t be mean

Wait! I don’t mean no harm
I can see you with my t-shirt on

I can see you with nothing on
feeling on me before you bring that on

Bring that on
 You know what I mean

Girl, I’m a freak you shouldn’t say those things

I’m only trying to get inside your brain
To see if you can work me the way you say

It’s OK, it’s alright
I got something that you gonna like

Hey is that the truth or are you talking trash
Is your game M.V.P. like Steve Nash

[Chorus]
Promiscuous Girl
Wherever you are
I’m all alone
And its you that I want

Promiscuous Boy
I’m calling your name
But you’re driving me crazy
The way you’re making me wait

Promiscuous Girl
You’re teasing me
You know what I want
And I got what you need

Promiscuous Boy
We’re one in the same
So we don’t gotta play games no more

lyric credit

—-
There you have it.  First, unlike Alanis Morrisette’s “Ironic,” this song does appear to be using the term promiscuous correctly.  So is that a word you want to explain to a young child?  No.  If your kids are older, it wouldn’t be an issue as long as you discuss that typically this word is used as an insult, and though the characters in the song seem cool, you wouldn’t want to toss this word out at your best friend, for example.

The main problem I have with this song, regardless of age, is that it’s obvious that the girl is playing a game, pretending to be offended that he would think she would want to sleep with him, but all the while knowing that is absolutely her intention.  I wouldn’t want any daughter of mine (if I had one) to play this kind of game with a guy, because if she were ever trying to take it slowly or actually reject a guy, he might think she was just flirting and hoping to keep him interested. 

As for my boys?  I definitely want them to understand that no means no from the moment they even think about dating.  Also, anyone I’d like to see them with would have too much self-respect to screw around with their heads this way.

I do think the lyrics are clever, I admit.  It just paints such a stereotypical picture: one that I don’t want my children (or yours, really) to swallow.  If a woman (hopefully not a girl) is interested in someone, she should be able to come out and say so. 

This song would make for an interesting conversation with a teenager, though, wouldn’t it?  And if you can block out the lyrics, it’s great for dancing.  However, if you’re a parent, it’s definitely a Song That Sucks.

Head over to Literal Mom to read about more of these – we all know there are a zillion of them out there!