I think this song accurately portrays the "hook-up" culture". The lyrics outline a general thought process and typical interaction that could occur before two people make the decision to have casual sex. Both people sound naive and immature in their flirtatiousness. Nelly sings "I'm a big girl I can handle myself,
But if I get lonely I may need your help
Pay attention to me I don't talk for my health" She contradicts herself here by saying she can handle herself. but yet she is lonely and needs this "promiscuous boy's" help, as well as telling him to "pay attention to her" she isn't talking for her "health", she is talking for immediate gratification for whatever she is trying to escape. This is an indicator of low self-worth, which is a terrible feeling that I think many women and men, both young and old, have experienced at some point in their life. This song also points out the double standard that often occurs when a woman decides to have casual sex with a man. I have observed that women often are respected less for their promiscuous behavior. Sex is not a prize for women as it is for some men. This is pointed out in the song when Timberland say, "I want you on my team", to which Nelly replies, "So does everybody else". This response indicates that Nelly knows this encounter will be casual and he is just one of many men that would like to sleep with her. She seems to know that this might not be a good decision for her because she questions him a lot. She doesn't seem confident in her promiscuity. She asks him,"You expect me to just let you hit it
But will you still respect me if you get it?". She knows that being promiscuous may be seen as unattractive, perhaps because she is devaluing her self-worth. Timberland can't even answer her question directly. He replies, "All I can do is try, give me one chance
What's the problem? I don't see no ring on your hand". He doesn't see the possible consequences for in her decision. He says playfully,your not taken, soooo whats the problem? ". He can't understand the place of confusion and doubt that Nelly is coming from or perhaps he is more interested in the sex than any long term consequences (immediate gratification). The end of the song points a finger at the complications that can arise from casual sex when they go back and forth saying, "Don't get mad, don't be mean". Bottom line is that there is a lot more to this song than on the surface. Maybe it seems that Nelly "sold out" to make a hit on the top charts, but if her fans can have insightful discussions on the subtle implications this song makes for promiscuous behavior, maybe it could help some people understand why they behave the way they do and gain insight as to how their behavior truly makes them feel. Plus it's a catchy tune:) lol
@panda12321 I rather agree and like your thoughts about the song, especially the end where their casual sex behavior has devolved into them telling each other "Don't get mad, don't be mean".
@panda12321 I rather agree and like your thoughts about the song, especially the end where their casual sex behavior has devolved into them telling each other "Don't get mad, don't be mean".
I think this song accurately portrays the "hook-up" culture". The lyrics outline a general thought process and typical interaction that could occur before two people make the decision to have casual sex. Both people sound naive and immature in their flirtatiousness. Nelly sings "I'm a big girl I can handle myself, But if I get lonely I may need your help Pay attention to me I don't talk for my health" She contradicts herself here by saying she can handle herself. but yet she is lonely and needs this "promiscuous boy's" help, as well as telling him to "pay attention to her" she isn't talking for her "health", she is talking for immediate gratification for whatever she is trying to escape. This is an indicator of low self-worth, which is a terrible feeling that I think many women and men, both young and old, have experienced at some point in their life. This song also points out the double standard that often occurs when a woman decides to have casual sex with a man. I have observed that women often are respected less for their promiscuous behavior. Sex is not a prize for women as it is for some men. This is pointed out in the song when Timberland say, "I want you on my team", to which Nelly replies, "So does everybody else". This response indicates that Nelly knows this encounter will be casual and he is just one of many men that would like to sleep with her. She seems to know that this might not be a good decision for her because she questions him a lot. She doesn't seem confident in her promiscuity. She asks him,"You expect me to just let you hit it But will you still respect me if you get it?". She knows that being promiscuous may be seen as unattractive, perhaps because she is devaluing her self-worth. Timberland can't even answer her question directly. He replies, "All I can do is try, give me one chance What's the problem? I don't see no ring on your hand". He doesn't see the possible consequences for in her decision. He says playfully,your not taken, soooo whats the problem? ". He can't understand the place of confusion and doubt that Nelly is coming from or perhaps he is more interested in the sex than any long term consequences (immediate gratification). The end of the song points a finger at the complications that can arise from casual sex when they go back and forth saying, "Don't get mad, don't be mean". Bottom line is that there is a lot more to this song than on the surface. Maybe it seems that Nelly "sold out" to make a hit on the top charts, but if her fans can have insightful discussions on the subtle implications this song makes for promiscuous behavior, maybe it could help some people understand why they behave the way they do and gain insight as to how their behavior truly makes them feel. Plus it's a catchy tune:) lol
@panda12321 I rather agree and like your thoughts about the song, especially the end where their casual sex behavior has devolved into them telling each other "Don't get mad, don't be mean".
@panda12321 I rather agree and like your thoughts about the song, especially the end where their casual sex behavior has devolved into them telling each other "Don't get mad, don't be mean".