That's What I Like

A very popular song on the radio right now is the song by Bruno Mars "That's What I Like". I've heard it enough to realize that there are certain messages in the lyrics about a certain lifestyle. One part says "Baby girl, what's hatnin'? You and your ass invited". This is sexualizing women and by saying not only she is invited but her body is, it reinforces the idea of men seeing women as only for their looks. He then says "Go pop it for a player. Pop, pop it for me. Turn around and drop it for a player. Drop, drop it for me." This further adds onto the idea that he is expressing the idea of how women should be looked and treated. He makes it seem like its a women's responsibility to please a men and its ok because they are supposed to do this already. Not only does Bruno Mars promote how women should act, but also how men should expect women to be to them. He influences both side with what he says in the song. 

One part of the chorus goes "Gold jewelry shining so bright, strawberry champagne all night, lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like." In this, he talks about what a woman wants in her life or something that she likes having frequently. Bruno then says that luckily for her, it's the same thing that he happens to like. So the only reason that he is letting her have it is because he likes it too. There's an obvious assertiveness of dominance. The man has more power over the woman in society and is the ultimate decider on what happens. I also see it as a way of showing what woman should like and how they should live because they should expect gold jewelry and champagne. To wrap it up, woman should expect to live luxuriously. Right after this part of the chorus, he says "sex by the fire at night, silk sheets and diamonds all white." This is just further proof of what he addresses as a standard for women to have. And it also makes men expect to be able to provide this type of luxury to women. It hurts both males and females at certain, expensive lifestyles that are expected to be for everyone. 

The rest of the song has similar lyrics or repeating the chorus, which continues to add onto the idea of certain expectations. Bruno Mars gives young kids and teens a certain, rich lifestyle that is enjoyable to them. And by explaining what they live, he makes it seem like others should live like this. All he does is create a wrong interpretation for young kids on how to live and expect of others in the world. You shouldn't sexualize women and see them as a man's possession. The type of way to live in this is not accurate for everyday people and shouldn't be how others who are growing up expect to live. 

Song Link to the song