Hello, and welcome to a new segment on our blog, “Tenor vs. Dad Debate,” in which the two halves of Tenor Dad will have opposing viewpoints on a certain topic. Today’s subject is Lady Gaga’s new single “Born This Way,” which Dad does not approve of, and Tenor kind of likes. Let’s give them the floor.
Tenor: So Dad, we meet again.
Dad: Hello Tenor.
Tenor: Well, let’s get right down to it. Lady Gaga has put out another modern masterpiece which has a fabulous message of acceptance and you can dance to it. End of story.
Dad: Not so fast buddy. My issue with the song, besides that fact that it is the exact same song as “Express Yourself,” is the hitting you over the head lyrics. As a parent, I don’t know if I want my three-year-old running around singing things like “No matter gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgendered life,” etc. And it’s not that I don’t agree with her, but unlike, say, Michael Jackson’s “Black or White,” (another overt acceptance anthem), Gaga is dealing with sexual orientation, not appearance. I don’t want my kid singing about sexual ANYthing. I don’t want my kid to know what sex is! I think it would have been a much more universal song if she had left out the specifics and stuck to the broader “Born This Way” theme, which still gets the message of acceptance out without beating us over the head with it.
Tenor: It is not the same song as “Express Yourself.” It is an homage.
Dad: Now look, it has the same chords and the same freaking melody. It is not an homage. It is almost more of a parody, where only the lyrics are changed.
Tenor: Well, I like “Express Yourself,” so I like “Born This Way” too.
Dad: That’s fine, I am not knocking the beat, I am just saying that if it came on the radio when my kids were in the car, I would change the station.
Tenor: Wait, wait, wait. Isn’t your daughter’s favorite song “Your Love is My Drug,” by Ke$ha?
Dad: First of all, she is your daughter too…
Tenor: Not in this crazy schizophrenic blog she’s not…
Dad: And second of all, as I have mentioned, Ruby thinks that song is called “Get Out of My Truck.” Ke$ha should really learn to enunciate.
Tenor: Ok, so since Ruby doesn’t know what any of those sexually oriented terms mean, can’t you just make up similar sounding words then, so she can sing it? Like…”No matter cake treat, or pie, let’s be in train center life!”
Dad: No, that is stupid.
Tenor: You’re stupid.
Dad: Why don’t you get a job, loser!
Ok, ok, thanks guys. Well, that was a great first debate. I think we all learned a lot. Mostly that tenors are dumb, and parents are overprotective, but regardless, I hope you can now participate in a discussion on this subject and sound intelligent. Join us next time, when we debate the economy, or Jersey Shore. Thank you.
*enthusiastic golf clap*
Bravo! Good sportly sparring ol’ chaps. I much enjoyed the debate. As a Baritone and soon-to-be-dad, I can understand and appreciate both perspectives.
Love it. And wondering… I can imagine what Dad would say about Jersey Shore, but what would Tenor say?? : )
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