essential question
In what ways does Alessia Cara’s “Here” defy popular music conventions, and what does the song say about peer pressure in youth culture?
|
|
|
|
Surfin USA - Beach Boys (1963)
Shake Your Groove Thing - Peaches and Herb (1978)
Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus (2009)
Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars (2014)
Shake Your Groove Thing - Peaches and Herb (1978)
Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus (2009)
Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars (2014)
- What are the musicians and listeners doing in these videos?
- Watching these videos, what might someone conclude is one of the purposes of popular music?
- Can you think of more recent examples of songs that promote dancing, partying, and having a good time, either in the lyrics or the music video?
OVERVIEW
From surf rock beach parties in the 1960s to present day rappers “in the club,” popular music has long been associated with socialization activities like dancing and drinking, usually amongst a large crowd of people. But for those who are more comfortable spending their time at home or with a small group of friends, the glorification of parties and dancing in popular music may provoke anxiety. For many such people, Alessia Cara’s “Here” is an anthem.
Cara says “I’m used to being alone. I enjoy it. I think you get a lot done when you’re alone. It’s easier to get your feelings out when you’re alone. You don’t have to worry about how you look. You can do whatever, look however. It’s just the best time to do whatever you want.” Cara began her music career largely alone in 2010, posting YouTube videos of her popular music covers and celebrity impressions, mostly filmed in the comfort of her own bedroom. Soon Cara’s videos began attracting attention and her viewership increased dramatically. In 2015, Cara, a self-made star, signed with Def Jam Recordings.
“Here” was Cara’s first single with Def Jam, and its lyrics are inspired by lived experience. Cara recalls that on the day she wrote the song, “all I kept thinking about was this party I’d gone to the night before, which was like the most uncomfortable party I’d ever gone to. I realized how uncomfortable I was and I called my mom, and I was like ‘mom I have to come home early, please pick me up.’” By relating her feelings of discomfort towards parties, Cara hoped the song would appeal to “all the antisocial, awkward, and miserable party-goers of the world.”
“Here” peaked at #6 on the Billboard charts, and secured positions in many “Best Songs of 2015” lists as well. The success of “Here” is likely due in part to its appeal to those who do not feel represented by the images popular music culture often promotes. In the song, Cara makes it clear she has no interest in the gossip, drug use, alcohol consumption, and flirtation that she associates with parties, and that she’d prefer socializing with a small group of “real” friends. Cara’s admission of social discomfort sends a message of acceptance to other people that may experience similar feelings. “Here” encourages her audience to be themselves in the face of peer pressure, a message she has continued to advocate in other songs, such as “Scars to Your Beautiful.”
We will look at the lyrics to determine how Alessia Cara’s song “Here” defies popular music conventions. Consider your own experiences with peer pressure, and imagine what your own “unconventional” pop song might be about.
Cara says “I’m used to being alone. I enjoy it. I think you get a lot done when you’re alone. It’s easier to get your feelings out when you’re alone. You don’t have to worry about how you look. You can do whatever, look however. It’s just the best time to do whatever you want.” Cara began her music career largely alone in 2010, posting YouTube videos of her popular music covers and celebrity impressions, mostly filmed in the comfort of her own bedroom. Soon Cara’s videos began attracting attention and her viewership increased dramatically. In 2015, Cara, a self-made star, signed with Def Jam Recordings.
“Here” was Cara’s first single with Def Jam, and its lyrics are inspired by lived experience. Cara recalls that on the day she wrote the song, “all I kept thinking about was this party I’d gone to the night before, which was like the most uncomfortable party I’d ever gone to. I realized how uncomfortable I was and I called my mom, and I was like ‘mom I have to come home early, please pick me up.’” By relating her feelings of discomfort towards parties, Cara hoped the song would appeal to “all the antisocial, awkward, and miserable party-goers of the world.”
“Here” peaked at #6 on the Billboard charts, and secured positions in many “Best Songs of 2015” lists as well. The success of “Here” is likely due in part to its appeal to those who do not feel represented by the images popular music culture often promotes. In the song, Cara makes it clear she has no interest in the gossip, drug use, alcohol consumption, and flirtation that she associates with parties, and that she’d prefer socializing with a small group of “real” friends. Cara’s admission of social discomfort sends a message of acceptance to other people that may experience similar feelings. “Here” encourages her audience to be themselves in the face of peer pressure, a message she has continued to advocate in other songs, such as “Scars to Your Beautiful.”
We will look at the lyrics to determine how Alessia Cara’s song “Here” defies popular music conventions. Consider your own experiences with peer pressure, and imagine what your own “unconventional” pop song might be about.
questions
- What do you think life is like for a modern day pop star?
- How do music videos portray the lifestyles of famous musicians? Do you think they are honest depictions?
- What aspects of a pop star’s life or feelings might not be featured in a music video?
- Could someone be shy and still be a pop star? Why or why not?
Listen to "Here" by Alessia Cara (2015)
[Intro]
I guess right now you've got the last laugh
[Verse 1]
I'm sorry if I seem uninterested
Or I'm not listenin' or I'm indifferent
Truly I ain't got no business here
But since my friends are here, I just came to kick it
But really I would rather be at home all by myself
Not in this room
With people who don't even care about my well-being
I don't dance, don't ask, I don't need a boyfriend
So you can go back, please, enjoy your party
I'll be here
Somewhere in the corner
Under clouds of marijuana
With this boy who's hollering I can hardly hear
Over this music I don't listen to
And I don't wanna get with you
So tell my friends that I'll be over here
[Chorus]
Oh-oh-oh here, oh-oh-oh here
Oh I ask myself, what am I doin' here?
Oh-oh-oh here, oh-oh-oh here
And I can't wait 'til we can break up out of here
[Verse 2]
Excuse me if I seem a little unimpressed with this
An anti-social pessimist, but usually I don't mess with this
And I know you mean only the best
And your intentions aren't to bother me
But honestly I'd rather be
Somewhere with my people
We can kick it and just listen to
Some music with a message, like we usually do
And we'll discuss our big dreams
How we plan to take over the planet
So pardon my manners
I hope you'll understand that I'll be here
Not there in the kitchen
With the girl who's always gossiping about her friends
So tell them I'll be here
Right next to the boy who's throwin' up
Cause he can't take what's in his cup no more
Oh God, why am I here?
[Chorus]
Oh-oh-oh here, oh-oh-oh here
Oh I ask myself, what am I doin' here?
Oh-oh-oh here, oh-oh-oh here
And I can't wait 'til we can break up out of here
[Bridge]
Hours later congregatin' next to the refrigerator
Some girl talkin' 'bout her haters, she ain't got none
How did it ever come to this? I should've never come to this
So holla at me, I'll be in the car when you're done
I'm stand-offish, don't want what you're offerin'
And I'm done talkin', awfully sad it had to be that way
So tell my people when they're ready that I'm ready
And I'm standin' by the TV with my beanie low
Yo, I'll be over here
[Chorus]
Oh-oh-oh here, oh-oh-oh here
Oh I ask myself, what am I doin' here?
Oh-oh-oh here, oh-oh-oh here
And I can't wait till we can break up out of here
I guess right now you've got the last laugh
[Verse 1]
I'm sorry if I seem uninterested
Or I'm not listenin' or I'm indifferent
Truly I ain't got no business here
But since my friends are here, I just came to kick it
But really I would rather be at home all by myself
Not in this room
With people who don't even care about my well-being
I don't dance, don't ask, I don't need a boyfriend
So you can go back, please, enjoy your party
I'll be here
Somewhere in the corner
Under clouds of marijuana
With this boy who's hollering I can hardly hear
Over this music I don't listen to
And I don't wanna get with you
So tell my friends that I'll be over here
[Chorus]
Oh-oh-oh here, oh-oh-oh here
Oh I ask myself, what am I doin' here?
Oh-oh-oh here, oh-oh-oh here
And I can't wait 'til we can break up out of here
[Verse 2]
Excuse me if I seem a little unimpressed with this
An anti-social pessimist, but usually I don't mess with this
And I know you mean only the best
And your intentions aren't to bother me
But honestly I'd rather be
Somewhere with my people
We can kick it and just listen to
Some music with a message, like we usually do
And we'll discuss our big dreams
How we plan to take over the planet
So pardon my manners
I hope you'll understand that I'll be here
Not there in the kitchen
With the girl who's always gossiping about her friends
So tell them I'll be here
Right next to the boy who's throwin' up
Cause he can't take what's in his cup no more
Oh God, why am I here?
[Chorus]
Oh-oh-oh here, oh-oh-oh here
Oh I ask myself, what am I doin' here?
Oh-oh-oh here, oh-oh-oh here
And I can't wait 'til we can break up out of here
[Bridge]
Hours later congregatin' next to the refrigerator
Some girl talkin' 'bout her haters, she ain't got none
How did it ever come to this? I should've never come to this
So holla at me, I'll be in the car when you're done
I'm stand-offish, don't want what you're offerin'
And I'm done talkin', awfully sad it had to be that way
So tell my people when they're ready that I'm ready
And I'm standin' by the TV with my beanie low
Yo, I'll be over here
[Chorus]
Oh-oh-oh here, oh-oh-oh here
Oh I ask myself, what am I doin' here?
Oh-oh-oh here, oh-oh-oh here
And I can't wait till we can break up out of here
questions
- How is Cara’s song “Here” different from the videos you just saw?
- What kinds of activities are promoted as being fun in the popular music in your life? Are those activities a realistic part of your life?
- How do the activities you see in popular music affect your social decisions?
W's for "Here"
1. Who is the main character in the song?
2. Where is the main character in the song?
3. How does the main character feel about her situation?
4. What doesn’t she like about where she is?
5. Where would she rather be?
6. Why might she have decided to be where she is?
2. Where is the main character in the song?
3. How does the main character feel about her situation?
4. What doesn’t she like about where she is?
5. Where would she rather be?
6. Why might she have decided to be where she is?
REFLECTION
- Has there ever been a time in your life when you wished you were somewhere else? Where was it, and why did you go? Did anyone pressure you to go?
- What didn’t you like about that place? Where would you have rather been?
- Looking back, would you make the same decision to go? Why or why not?
Summary
- Do you think Alessia Cara’s “Here” says something new or different, compared to other popular songs? Why or why not? Can you think of other songs that might have a similar message to “Here”? (Lorde’s “Royals,” for example).
- What kinds of people do you think “Here” speaks to most directly?
- What sort of inspiration might someone get from Cara’s song? What might be the message of this song in regards to peer pressure?