“Video” by
Verse
1
Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I
don't
Sometimes I comb my hair and sometimes I won't
Depend on how the
wind blows I might even paint my toes
It really just depends on whatever
feels good in my soul
Chorus
I'm not the average girl from your video
and I ain't built like a supermodel
But, I learned to love
myself unconditionally
Because I am a queen
I'm not the average girl from your video
My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes
No
matter what I'm wearing I will always be India Aria
Verse
2
When I look in the mirror the only one there is
me
Every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be
And I know our
creator didn't make no mistakes on me
My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes;
I'm lovin' what I see
[Chorus]
Verse
3
Am I less of a lady if I don't wear pantyhose?
My
mama said a lady ain't what she wears but, what she
knows
But, I've drawn a conclusion, it's all an illusion, confusion's the
name of the game
A misconception, a vast deception
Something's gotta change
Don't be offended this is all my opinion
ain't nothing that I'm sayin
law
This is a true confession of a life learned lesson I was sent here to
share wit y'all
So get in where you fit in go on and shine
Clear your
mind, now's the time
Put your salt on the shelf
Go on and love
yourself
'Cuz everything's gonna be all right
[Chorus]
Verse
4
Keep your fancy drinks and your expensive minks
I
don't need that to have a good time
Keep your expensive car and your
caviar
All I need is my guitar
Keep your Kristal and your pistol
I'd rather have a
pretty piece of crystal
Don't need your silicon I prefer my own
What God
gave me is just fine
[Chorus]
Discussion
Guide with Answers
“Video” by
1. What guides Arie’s decisions as far as how she looks?
- How she feels determines how she will dress.
“It really just depends on whatever feels good in my soul”
“Depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes”
“Sometimes I do….Sometimes I don’t”
- Accepts what has been given to her
“What God gave me is just fine”
- Does she place any importance on her appearance?
- Not worried about what others will think
“My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes”
2. What does Arie mean when she says, “I’m not the average girl from your video?”
- Describe the “average” person in the music videos you watch.
- Arie presents them as wearing skimpy clothing, no physical imperfections
- their movements are much more controlled, while Arie dances about as if unaware
of what others think
How do the males in music videos typically look?
- big and buff
- expensive clothes, lots of jewelry
Symbol in video – holds the number “3” backwards and upside down
3. What is “normal” behavior and appearance to Arie?
-
“My feet, my thighs, my lips, my eyes, I’m lovin what I see”
- normal is how she feels “Sometimes I shave my legs and sometimes I don’t…Sometimes
I comb my hair and sometimes I won’t…depend on how the wind blows I might even paint my toes”
Describe her outfit
- bright colors, flowers, jeans
4. What stereotypes (behaviors expected of certain people) does Arie bring up?
- Women – must shave legs, comb hair, paint toes, wear fancy clothes, wear pantyhose
Renounces them, “my momma said a lady ain’t what she wears but what she knows”
5. What lesson is Arie trying to share with her listeners?
“Love Yourself”
- don’t let others determine who you are or guide your actions
- be happy with what God gave you
6. If Arie could offer Stargirl some advice, what do you think she would say?
Symbols –
Free movements – arms up, open
Number 3
Stays on yellow line----straight path, won’t let others deter her or mislead her
Pumps fists
Locally grown
Connections to Stargirl
- Guitar
- Clothes (white dress)
- Doesn’t care what others think
- flowers on jeans
- teaches a lesson
- doesn’t let others guide her decisions
- talks to strangers
- relies on soul, not outward influences
- happy with who she is
- conflicts with others (Hillari Kimbles) – girls auditioning for video