Culture Jamming is a way to break from the habitual assumptions, patterns, beliefs, and processes that saturate everyday life. This month Pink Ribbon Blues highlights the jamming potential of poetry to interrupt pink cultural norms and routines.
Lyrics are poetry too, and The Accidental Amazon is a culture jamming songstress extraordinaire. Check out her remake of the 1980s song “Shout” by the popular british band Tears for Fears. “Shout” reached #1 in the United States in 1986. Click here to listen to the Amazon’s version!
“Shout”
by The Accidental Amazon
Shout. Shout. Let it all out.
These are the things I can do without.
Come on. I’m talking to you.
Come on.
[chorus]
When cancer comes
You shouldn’t have to sell your soul
For products pink;
They really, really ought to go.
Those one-track minds,
They took you for a simple girl.
Kiss them good-bye.
You shouldn’t have to jump for joy.
You shouldn’t have to jump for joy.
[chorus]
They sell us pink
When cancer tries to take our lives.
No cure for sale.
I hope we live to tell the tale.
I hope we live to tell the tale.
[chorus]
And when we’ve taken down their guard,
I’d like to change their minds.
I hope it doesn’t break our hearts.
I hope it doesn’t break our hearts.
Shout, Shout! Let it all out!
These are the things I can do without!
Come on! I’m talking to you!
Come on!
…
I love Accidental Amazon’s remixes! This one is a real gem!
Thanks, Gayle! Thanks, Beth! Just rolled out another anti-pink anthem. Working on a video for it… 😀
Waiting for the CD…