"So What" by Pink
Reviewed by: Josh Meares
Note: We focus on reviewing songs, and therefore cannot comment on the appropriateness of the album in its entirety. Please use your best judgment whenever purchasing or listening to music.
The Artist
Alecia Beth Moore, also known as Pink, was born on September 8, 1979, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Her parents were middle-class working people, and she grew up in a traditional suburb.
Pink released her debut album "Can't Take Me Home" in 2000; it sold 5 million copies and produced two top ten U.S. singles: "There You Go" and "Most Girls." The next year, Pink teamed up with Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, and Mya to remake "Lady Marmalade" for the film "Moulin Rouge." That song became the most successful airplay-only song in history.
Now Pink is distancing herself from her poppy, R&B roots, a path she claims she was forced onto by her producers when she was too young to know any better. According to Pink, her latest records are more in her own style.
The Song
In college, my voice teacher told me there are only two types of love song -- the "I love you more than anyone has ever loved anything" love song and the "I’m glad we're splitting up because I’m better off on my own anyway" love song. Even though she was talking about Italian opera, the distinction seems to work with modern music.
"So What" definitely falls into the second category. It is a punk-pop song about Pink’s reaction to rejection: "I guess I just lost my husband." This single has a nice hook, and Pink’s vocal style fits the song well. The song includes one muttered curse word.
Worldview
Divorce is devastating for everyone involved. It's no wonder the Bible tells us that God hates it. Even people who willingly choose to go through it usually hate it on some level. It's a tragedy. And most spend at least a little time feeling really, really angry.
Though the impact is far less than the one that comes with the end of a marriage, any kind of big breakup can be tough -- especially when it is the other person who is doing the breaking. Anyone who has experienced it might relate to Pink's words here.
I don't always agree with what Pink says, but I do appreciate her honesty in her music. She recently divorced her husband of two years, Carey Hart (motocross legend and star of the reality TV show "Surreal Life"). Even though she claimed in several interviews that the breakup was relatively agreeable, the song reveals that the divorce still hurt.
Pink must have been MAD at some point during the divorce to pen those lyrics, and I appreciate that she is willing to share that through her music. In the music video for the song, her ex-husband plays the guy she is breaking up with (and the focus of her anger).
Lyric: "I got a brand new attitude / And I'm gonna wear it tonight / I wanna get in trouble / I wanna start a fight"
I know this song will find thousands of people who are feeling the same almost out-of-control anger and the desire to pick a fight because someone has hurt them. Maybe they didn't break up with their boyfriend or girlfriend; maybe their parents are splitting up. Or maybe a friend has betrayed them.
I think everyone has to deal with anger at some point or another. So how do we deal with anger biblically? Let's start out by acknowledging that being angry is not necessarily a sin. God is often described as angry (check out Psalm 78:31 for an example) and Jesus gets angry sometimes as well (see Mark 3:5).
But we also know from James 1:20 that, “Man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
So what do we do? The Bible does not give us a 12-step plan for anger management. However, it does give us some pretty good advice: “ 'In your anger do not sin': Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” (Ephesians 4:26)
That verse is so simple that we almost don't notice how powerful it is. I must admit, it is also hard to live out. God is saying two things through Paul here. One, don’t do anything stupid or sinful while you are mad. When you realize you are getting mad, immediately promise yourself that you are not going to take any actions against anyone (or yourself) until the next day. Give yourself time to cool off!
Two, don’t let anger eat at you for too long. You have to let things go. God gives us a pretty short time limit: one day. Do you know anybody that has held a grudge for days or weeks or even years? Think about how unhappy their lives usually are. Do you see why God gives us this time limit?
Don’t ever go to bed mad. Do whatever you have to do: pray, read the Bible, exercise, talk it out, whatever. But don’t go to bed angry. You don’t need anger festering in your soul and in your subconscious while you sleep.
“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
Love and forgiveness are the ultimate cure for anger. But how can we possibly forgive the people who make us so angry, much less love them? The short answer is, it's possible because God tells us to do it. (See Matthew 19:26.)
There is no "how to" on this one, but remember that love is an action just as much as it is an emotion. Try doing something loving for the person who made you angry. You might be surprised at how God honors your obedience.
But what if you're not the one struggling to overcome anger? Then God tells us, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
Still, it can be very, very hard to be a good friend. Angry peopel lash out at everyone. Pink beats up random strangers in her music video, which is funny. But it's not funny when you are the one getting emotionally beat up, is it?
Pointers for walking into the "danger zone" of being a good friend to someone who is angry:
- Listen, but don’t try to fix the problem (even if you think you can).
- Don’t be so empathetic that you grow angry as well. (Proverbs 22:24-25)
- Give your friend time to vent, but don’t be afraid to turn the conversation to Jesus and forgiveness. Remember that everything that does not lead to righteousness leads to death! (Romans 6:21-23)
Don’t be afraid to help your friend choose the right path when they are dealing with anger.
Questions:
- What was the last things you were angry about?
- How did you deal with it?
- Are you dealing with anger right now? If so, does the biblical view seem unrealistic?
- Is there anybody you know who is going through a bad breakup right now?
- How are they dealing with it?
- How can you help them?
- Do you have any advice for people who are trying to comfort someone who is angry?
