POP SONG REVIEW: "Scars to Your Beautiful" by Alessia Cara

I'm ugly on the inside!

[@Xmas.Violet]

I was in an eating disorder hospital and we all. collectively hated this song. Only ones who ever wanted to play it were nurses soo... i think thats telling

[@riahlexington]

Oof

[@ClaireSamuelsVA]

I’ve never been hospitalized but I had anorexia for 3 years and I know this would have pissed me off.

[@Zulf85]

It's only ever nurses or teachers who think that kind of stuff means good things to people with issues like ours. Take care, my dude

[@MyChannel773]

ugh god yeah i’ve been in treatment before and i’ve always hated this song

[@ECL28E]

Well-intentioned, but no thanks.

[@glytergyrl123]

the problem with songs like this is the whole focus is on being beautiful. "you may not be conventionally attractive but you're still beautiful!" but someone's worth isnt based off how attractive they are. saying someone who isnt attractive is beautiful anyway still reinforces the idea that beauty is the only worth they have

[@glytergyrl123]

personally I've found way more confidence in thinking my appearance doesnt matter than telling myself im beautiful

[@bluerobin7051]

This summarizes it!

[@enimo9241]

@@glytergyrl123 Exactly!

[@whatcanidooo]

Beautiful doesn’t necessarily mean conventionally attractive. It’s nice to feel beautiful. It’s nice to be called beautiful. There’s nothing wrong with wanting that kind of praise

[@joshraid1550]

I have this idea and I hate that it can't really be done of like a pop punk song from the perspective of a woman in her 20's and it does an edgy twist on this kind of song where it starts like "Sometimes I feel gross and ugly" but then decides "Because I am" and then rejects all the platitudes and threatens anyone who would try to argue that she's actually super pretty because she finds the whole idea condescending. But writing that for someone else would make it weird I think, and I don't intend to become a singer ever, so this is just going to be an idea.

[@shellyray6692]

"my mama told me when I was young, I don't accept you get out of my house." I haven't laughed like that in a while omg.

[@amyrat151]

I startled my cat because I laughed so hard.

[@Redrally]

That actually legitimately sounded hilarious XD It was probably the dissonance ....

[@modtick]

that is "born this way" if writen my Lukas Graham

[@Iridescence93]

I'd probably prefer it with those lyrics actually. Happy pop songs with jarringly depressing lyrics is like one of my favorite things in music.

[@SuperfieldCrUn]

Which is why the dance remix of "I Took A Pill in Ibiza" is better than the sappy original version.

[@TheCatsMe00w]

Can we talk about how 90% of the people in the music video are pretty or average besides one extremely minor flaw?

[@trucetruce335]

Reminds me of that girls sunburn (who was supposed to have a Zuko like scar or something) in the Player Two Movie that was played up like she couldn’t show her real face to anyone because she’s just SO SHAMED. oh, generic protagonist, you would never like the _real me_ I’m HIDEOUS. I actually had no idea what that whole thing was meant to be leading up to because she was totally normal. I didn’t even notice it was there. I had to have it pointed out to me in a review.

[@jessedaniels4494]

@@trucetruce335 That's a thing I like to call movie beautification. In the book she's described as way less attractive than the actor that was casted. It always happens in movies. Good example is literally all of the main trio in the Harry Potter movies

[@BROJANGSTER]

@@trucetruce335 ready player one

[@evilmasterstudios]

That’s what makes them “Beautiful” NON MODELS BE DAMNED!!! 🤮

[@MelMelodyWerner]

very old comment, of course, but this is still one of the top comments, for some reason. so not directing this at OP necessarily, but the point here. I mean, sure, some of the folks in the music video are just models--but, y'know, conventionally attractive folks still get conscious of their bodies all of the time (and being called "average" is absolutely gonna do that for some people, obviously--I'd rather be called "ugly" than "average", personally, lol). like, we live in a world of toxic beauty standards, and eating disorders exist--it's entirely reasonable, if you're going to try making a song about this topic, to acknowledge that someone could be seen by most people as being pretty gorgeous, and that person can still not be happy with how they look. the big problem with this song imo is that, regardless of intent, Alessia seems more interested in being _perceived_ as inspiring than actually *being* inspiring. people who are conscious of their bodies have been told a berjillion times that they are beautiful the way they are, and it doesn't help anyone even if it's true. it comes off as patronizing as hell. it's also telling people who aren't conscious of their bodies that all you've gotta do is just be like, "gurl, you pretty" or whichever, and that'll solve anything. while I'm not self-conscious about my body (I like considering myself as the ugliest person in any room, cuz that's empowering to me), I have gone through times of suicidal ideation, and I know from experience that "your life has meaning" is one of the worst things I can hear at such times because it has literally fucking nothing to do with my problems in that headspace and it comes across as "you are my prop to feel better about my own self." like, yeah, regurgitating a quote from some Sesame Street is going to help. my point being, it is much more important to listen to someone who is considering self-harm and whatnot, instead of trying to talk down to them. also doesn't help that sonically, this is at best playlist fodder, and at worst, gas-station-core. it's generic, gummy pop that isn't fun, or uplifting, or genuine, or sullen, or anything like great pop. it feels algorithmically generated for Spotify and radio to toss on in the background all to be as inoffensive as possible. if you're going to tackle a topic like this, you gotta make something more thoughtful than the back of a cereal box. this isn't. I don't think you can't make great pop about beauty standards, but the best example I can think of is the d-beat metal band, Svalbard. they make their songs about such topics genuinely fucking mortifying. I also think that someone like Lizzo, who isn't "conventionally attractive" as such, just kinda doing her own thing is probably way more inspiring. but there are lots of ways to skin this cat.

[@guyman4823]

This song doesn't even go remotely deep into the topic or explain why many people hate their body, it basically just says, if you hate yourself that's bad and you shouldn't.

[@TheZutter]

Guy Man I KNOW!!! Hating yourself isn't a cloud that rains away it's sticks. I can't think of a song that expresses self harm or hatred well

[@guyman4823]

Does anyone Care artist Kendrick lamars U expresses self hatred well, same with Metallicas Fade to black, a lot of death grips songs are about self hatred, the last two songs on El-ps I'll sleep when you're dead, and many more songs I can't think of now do it very well.

[@MomoGobboYT]

Shallow song writing 101

[@kevinschultz6091]

Hurt, by Trent Reznor might - although that's as much about heroin addiction as anything else.

[@kevinschultz6091]

Shallow writing in general - having an obvious "moral" to a story is usually a sign of junk writing. (In contrast, most stories that have strong "theme" usually ends up being a discussion, or examination, with a tentative conclusion. Morals are the thematic equivalent of being hit over the head with a sledgehammer.)

[@PrincessNinja007]

The problem with most "don't cut yourself" songs is that they seem like a pat on the back from a guidance counselor who's never felt sadness in their life. The secular version of Christian pop. Hell, I take more comfort in a 13-minute song in which the songwriter reads his own obituary. At least you could tell he'd come through actual shit.

[@jannism1798]

I know this comes late, but the only good song about cutting I know is Paint Me Red by Avatar and that's mainly because it's not like "na don't do that that's bad" but is just the story of someone who cuts themselves and then commits suicide from the perspective of that person. (Considering this channel is about pop music not a lot of people will enjoy it here though as it's pretty metal)

[@metademetra]

Which is strange because this decade's pop sounds a whole lot like Christian Rock. I swear it's Katy Perry's fault.

[@bennitori4]

I always think back to the way people reacted when Linkin Park's front man died. In pop they have all these songs meant to comfort struggling teens with self esteem issues. They talk about "don't feel bad," and all that stuff, but you can tell they've never experienced it. Back Linkin Park came along, they played songs about having those feelings. It comforts people going through the same thing, because they realized they weren't alone and somebody out there got it. Then after the front man died, all the pop people listened to Linkin Park's discography and were like "well no wonder he died, these songs are all just a bunch of suicide notes." These people seriously don't get what they're singing about. And then when they do have to face it, they're like "woah, that's too dark! just stop that! [insert winky emoji]" They really are capitalizing off of issues they don't understand, nor care to understand.

[@doubleh333lix]

bennitori4 that’s why music from Radiohead and Nirvana is so resonant with so many people. It’s just honest and straight-up.

[@joannjames7985]

I dunno, the other song I think of when thinking of "suicide songs" is Adam's Song by Blink 1-82. That song is confirmed to be about a kid who considers committing suicide. I can't remember where I saw it, but I think the song is based on a suicide letter one of their fans sent them. It's a good song either way.

[@windpotato]

There's a disturbing downward spiral in those "inspirational" songs from the last several years Firework - "You're awesome!" What doesn't kill you - "You're strong, you'll live" All about that bass -"You're not ugly" Fight song - "My life is falling apart but I'm trying to fix it" and then finally, "Don't hurt yourself"

[@modtick]

2018- please stop! 2019- if nothing less just listen for once! 2020- Don't Die on me damm it!!! 2021- well it was a good life. 2022- it should have been a better life.

[@VideoJames1019]

windpotato Emo is coming back but without the guitars. 😅 The end is nigh?

[@mashitandsmashit]

2023: You disappoint me.

[@DigiRangerScott]

2025: The fish is better than you

[@andrewbianchi1294]

Lois Cook Starboy and Me Too are already ahead of you.

[@joedav67]

I hate when a song's message is "you may not be conventionally attractive but you're still beautiful," yet is sung by a conventionally attractive person.

[@ecliptik8020]

*coughs* pretty hurts *coughs*

[@benheaton3913]

The whole issue inst that it is sang by an attractive person but instead how demeaning it may seem in the context. some people as stupid as it is may take offence and feel worse after listening to the song... a song made to make you feel better

[@riahlexington]

joedav67 is she though?

[@Mr.Marbles]

Also: „looks are not important its about your personality!!!“ Next thing you hear: „you are so beautiful the way you are“ Wouldnt it be a better message if it was like: „you are ugly but still an awesome person?

[@InaZeaAnaZazi]

@@Mr.Marbles yep. I'm still looking for someone to actually promote "being beautiful is not the price you have to pay for your existence. Ugly people are valid, too"

[@galacticgrandmas]

The real depressing thing is celebrities wouldn't be caught dead with any of the people featured in Alissa's video if it wasn't a PR move. Yeah, I'd like to see "Over Here" where she had a friend who was an amputee, or someone with Down Syndrome. That's the worst thing about this song. I'd been fine with the message and all (granted still find it kind of pandering), but using people with disabilities or who have diseases like cancer as props REALLY salts my apples.

[@sixcoahoma7973]

Galactic Grandma absolutely

[@nicolesim1427]

Galactic Grandma "salts on my apples" 😂 brilliant Edit: You know what, I know the actual quote is "salts my apples" but salting on one's apples is equally hilarious

[@osmosiswright9924]

You mean salts on your peppers?

[@md_vandenberg]

I need a nap or something, because I read your last line as "salt my nipples."

[@jaysea5939]

Matthew VandenBerg same

[@nifralo2752]

The title of this song sounds like some kind of Lion King fan fic.

[@kieranstark7213]

Actually, it does sound like a song of the Lion King remake!!!! 🤮

[@sd_wafiya6018]

i want to like this but it's at 69 likes

[@lucify8143]

𝐆𝐲𝐬𝐣𝐟𝐣𝐣𝐟𝐣𝐟𝐡𝐬𝐤𝐬𝐣𝐱𝗴𝐡𝐟𝐨𝐬𝐣𝐝𝗴𝐱𝐮𝐟

[@Zulf85]

It sounds like something the generic male love interest would say to the troubled female lead in some horrible contemporary young adult book

[@Sketchguy1248]

Now you have corrupted my mind with Disney lion yaoi.

[@Reallyrandomcircle]

I'm off to write a shitty fantasy novel, specifically to introduce 'scars' as a curse. 'Scars to your honour!' 'Scars to the king!' 'Scars to your threats!' oh yeah, I'm set.

[@Taporeee]

Reallyrandomcircle Lion King: Scars to your Scar?

[@WeDwellinaFiefdom]

Reallyrandomcircle Scars on your comment!

[@JeddtheJedi]

"I scar in your general direction! Your mother was a scar and your father scarred of scars!"

[@Cludensyo]

"Scar on you, scar on your family, scar on your cow!"

[@dzevadbusnov9665]

Reallyrandomcircle "scars on my body so i can take you wherever"

[@HappyLilac16]

It probably doesn't help Alessia's case that half the people in the music video for "Scars to Your Beautiful" are enviously attractive, or at least decent-looking. Kinda muddles the message, if you ask me.

[@stewieismyhomeboy]

Yeah, let's see Lizzie Velasquez.

[@mychaeljones7526]

I knew Lizzie from Highschool. Smart gal but even I couldn't offend her by telling her a positive message. I think the problem with this song is it's just not honest. I admire effort.

[@cbot72]

Also in the video she looks like she doesn't care

[@mindovermindfuck]

Totally agree. I'm a girl, 19 years, struggled with acne for nine years now, which have made me very insecure. I'm the demographic for this song, but it just makes me feel shitty. Just like when my friends tell me they don't see my acne scars, it's very hard to in any way believe what this song is trying to tell me. The melody depresses me, and it actually only makes me wallow in self pity about my insecurities. First time I listened to it I actually ended up crying... Not exactly the best response to a confidence song.

[@willowwisp6955]

Mind over Mindfuck well my sister says I'm pretty ( even with a disabled arm ) yet my mom keeps pointing out my flaws to a point I grown numb to my looks ( and I generally think I'm frumpy in a way) . I'm sorry about your acne my sister had that as well I don't wish that to my worst enemy . It's kind of hard to tell society to go fuck themselfs with their standards of beauty when your own family keeps feeding you

[@mindovermindfuck]

That sounds pretty terrible, no mother should point out their child's flaws :c At least you have your sister... My family was a much needed backbone to my confidence, I have no idea how you'd manage without it.

[@kimchiteagames]

I feel ya. When I'm in a bad headspace it's very easy to hear a generically insincere sentiment like this and very quickly go from "fuck off, you don't know me" to "she only thinks I'm worthwhile because she doesn't know me, if she knew me she'd hate me just like everyone else" to "I'm going to go crawl in a hole and die because no one will ever love me."

[@Fickji]

I want to say something that will ease your hearts and minds but the words escape me. I never liked the "beautiful" songs either. In fact I find most of these songs as copies of Christina Aguilera's Beautiful. Same message, same sad melody. I might as well be listening to Gloomy Sunday. I don't need that kind a thing in my life. Maybe that's why I gravitated to the Birthday Massacre and the Eurythmics. Maybe not the best in terms of the Beauty message but they never made me feel ugly.

[@mindovermindfuck]

Feel ya mate. I'd rather get lost in the music than stay focused on myself c:

[@thatlemonadeguy6742]

Why Lorde was never seen as a snobbish girl: 2013- Lorde sings about being tired of songs that are trash and meaningless in a year were songs were trash and meaningless. (Anaconda, Booty, All About That Bass) 2016/2017- All songs are about how the singer is way too good to do what "everybody" does. They sing about being tired of shitty meaningless music in a year were all songs are about being tired of shitty meaningless music.

[@jonathankent1517]

So they're singing about being too good to do what everybody else is doing while doing what everybody else is doing... yep, sounds about right.

[@ffjreviews9029]

Anaconda and All About that Bass were made in 2014.

[@25lover25]

none of those songs were 2013

[@ToastyMozart]

"Yet another day I shat on someone for trying to be positive" Eh, going by the utter shallowness of the song it's more like shitting on someone for trying to cash in on people with low self-esteem.

[@mikemoos]

There's a difference between being positive, and being shallowly positive. People who fake being positive is even more depressing to me. And thus is angers me.

[@Hakajin]

"She doesn't know you, she just sounds patronizing." Yes! Yes, that's exactly it, Todd! The message of songs like these is, you're beautiful, no matter who you are or what you look like. It's kind of like, what does "beautiful" even mean in that context? You could say that anything can be beautiful if you look at it the right way... But that's not where this song is coming from. It really is patronizing; as a woman, I feel patronized. I feel like I'm being talked down to, like they think I'm thoughtless enough to be encouraged by such a shallow message. And it really does feel like an ego trip for the singer. That's another thing-- in songs like this, it definitely feels like the singer is above the listener. Like she's some kind of wise, inspirational figure that the rest of us plebs need to feel good about ourselves. It doesn't help that she's conventionally attractive. Huh, that's interesting; now that I think about it, it almost has a feeling like she's giving the listener permission to feel good about themselves, like those who are conventionally attractive get to decide for everyone else. That's the impression I feel, anyway. At the same time, I don't think people who do feel encouraged by this are stupid. I actually think it's kinda sweet when stuff like this is meaningful to someone; it shows a kind of vulnerability, sentimentality, and optimism that I find charming. Yeah, that's probably kind of patronizing in and of itself, but... I'm not really one to judge with this kind of thing, because I do feel good about my body and general appearance. Sure, there are a couple things I would change if I could, but on the whole, I'm conventionally attractive. Even if I weren't, though... I think I'd feel the same way about this song. I don't like that kind of inspirational sentimentality in general. And no, I really don't think this song is about cutting, if you were serious about that. Cutting doesn't have much to do with image issues, or self-punishment. I mean, it can, if those are your issues, but it's really about alleviating emotional pain through physical pain. So... I don't see that here.

[@maximum_escapism3528]

To be honest, I always thought that the song was (partially)about self harm. I mean, you say that self harm doesn't have much to do with self punishment or image issues, but those _are_ some of the reasons why people self harm. It can be a way to punish yourself, when you feel that you have failed. It is sometimes a physical punishment (and a horrendous one at that, since it often leads to scars and a lot of shame). And image issues can (at least if you mean that in a sense of much too low self esteem or self loathing) can be a reason why people feel horrible (and perhaps it is one of the things that one wants to punish themselves for). I, on the other hand, do understand that these kind of songs can feel patronising. They are nearly always blanket statements that don't go into depth with anything. They are shallow to appeal to as large a demographic as possible (which might not be necessarily motived by greed, it could just be that the artist wants to "help" as many people as possible) and probably also don't want to be too graphic or dark for the same reason. And, no, the artist doesn't know you personally. They don't know your struggles. Yet, I have too admit that I like this song (and similar ones). My personal favourite is "F**kin' Perfect" by P!nk which Todd also referenced in his video. It's meaningful too me (especially because of the video and fact that I have known this song for a long time). And, yeah, sometimes when I listen to the song, I object. I don't think that I am perfect. In fact I don't believe that anybody is. But the song still speaks too me. I feel like P!nk understands me in a way. Of course she doesn't know me personally or that I even exist. But the song describes me so well and it feels so good to hear somebody say that all the horrible things that I think about me (sometimes) are not true. And that it will get better. So, I guess I like the song, because it describes me. It might not know me, but it knows people like me. Perhaps it depends on the artist. While I trust that P!nk knows what she is talking about I can't really say the same about Alessia Cara. I just don't know enough about her. But it still feels nice to have our pain acknowledged.

[@Magmatic07]

That's a lot of words. Also, if you saw this, I just want to tell you that from a fellow nobody, you're cool.

[@isabellamorris7902]

I don't like these songs because they take female self-loathing (usually female, anyway) and then capitalise on it to make money - and it's almost always both superficial AND perpetuating of the cycle. (Meghan Trainor being a good example: "Don't hate yourself because you don't conform to X arbitary standard of purely physical beauty! Because we'll assume you conform to Y arbitrary standard of beauty instead!"). I would be much more receptive to a song neither about "of course you're pretty! Everyone is pretty!" nor "we're better than all those OTHER girls", but about "who gives a shit about whether you're beautiful or not? You have all this other shit going on in your life which are ten times more important!"

[@gomennasai989]

Isabella Morris +

[@zapruderofficial69]

Tbh "Missing You" by All Time Low is kind of like that. The massive crescendo in the song could be boiled down to "Be pissed off at the world for your shit lot, but don't blame yourself." That's a great moral, and seems a lot more respectful than all of those other songs.

[@synflwr]

Beauty doesn’t change a thing. I used to be fat, now I’m not. I’m still a loser, just a skinny loser instead of a fat one now.

[@nicolepenners9198]

Some are done well. Biggie smalls by cupcake is a good one

[@louise4778]

One of my favorite songs, "Give Yourself A Try" by The 1975, actually does this really well, I recommend listening to it. It makes me feel like I can actually be happy someday, and that I deserve to.

[@oscarorozcoorejel]

As a LGBT person who was forced back into the closet when I joined the military during don't ask don't tell, born this way saved me. This is not exaggeration. I was hospitalized for suicidal ideation, while I was stationed in North Carolina. It's the reason that I was discharged from the military. It was hard. Cause I had no one to talk to. I mean if I even said I was LGBT, I would have lost everything , including my gi bill. I was forced in the closet with no one to turn to. Thank lady Gaga for making that song. Cause that's what I needed then. Some one , anyone, to say that it was ok. That I was loved for being gay. I know people hate it, and yes I am completely biased for liking that song but it saved me. I honestly believe if she didn't make that song I would have not made it.

[@oscarorozcoorejel]

Though this is not to say that your evil for not liking songs that are suppose to be inspiring. It's just that maybe you don't like them casue the whole point of said songs is to have that kind of emotional reaction. It's the marketed supporting person in your life for the bullshit in your life ala song. So in some ways these songs are to a form of Nostalgia, pathos, pure emotion. So yes, it's emotional Vicodin, and the reason you don't like it is that Vicodin dose not work for ya. For what ever reason

[@riahlexington]

I’m so glad that that helped you and so sorry you went through that. Everyone is affected differently by music

[@kiel183]

@@oscarorozcoorejel -well by the third comment it went away huh?- jkjk but seriously I feel you. I is hard and a song could help you in those hard times.

[@johnindigo5477]

I felt more reading this comment than listening to this song. Your awesome

[@lionturbulence]

@@erikmerriwether5195 an

[@zombieedrea]

These "you're beautiful" songs are ALWAYS sung by conventionally attractive thin girls, so it's a bit hard to take them seriously when they're constantly telling other girls not to hate themselves. My first reaction is always "what the hell would you know? YOU'RE HOT AND SUPER RICH! Piss off!" Also, I hope this song isn't about self-harm because uggghhhhhh. Look, I've struggled with self-harm for over a decade and it's a lot more complicated than just hating yourself and thinking you're ugly, and call me oversensitive, but I'm just uncomfortable with that subject being brought up in a pandering song like this, especially if it's being sung by a person who might not have any idea what that's like (maybe Alessia does, I don't really know). The same goes for the eating disorder line. As for uplifting songs, anything by Walk The Moon gets me pumped up. I wish they were more popular outside of Shut Up and Dance. They're always really happy and energetic and just plain delightful. I like emo songs as much as the next person (sue me), but 2016 was shitty and every single time I read a news article this year I want to punch myself in the face, so fuck, let's just dance for a few minutes.

[@Hakajin]

Self harm is more about escaping emotional pain through physical pain, right? I didn't get that impression from this song. Oh, I also love Walk the Moon; have you ever listened to The 1975? Some of their songs have a similar energy.

[@zombieedrea]

Hakajin it is in one aspect. It also happens as a way for somebody to punish themselves, and some people get so used to it as a coping mechanism that they'll end up doing it for no reason at all, or at any signs of stress (that's what happened to me). I'm not saying there should be no songs about the subject (Demi Lovato has a song called Fix A Heart that I like, but she's self-harmed before so she does know what she's talking about), I'm just not super okay with it in the context of Scars To Your Beautiful. If it genuinely helps some people then that's very nice, I just think the song is a bit shallow, I guess. I've heard a couple songs from The 1975 and I like them. They've got a bit of a retro sound to them and I dig it. And Matty Healy is pretty cute, so that's a bonus.

[@Hakajin]

Ok, that makes sense; thanks for sharing. Hope you're doing ok with it; it's good that at least you're aware of the issues that go into it. It's a little different, but I used to read a lot, and I couldn't stand it when authors would wax poetic about suffering, especially if it were something that really happened, like, say, the Holocaust. It comes across like they're using a real tragedy just to make themselves look profound, which, ironically, makes them seem very shallow indeed. And when it comes to this kind of song that's supposed to encourage people... Somehow, it usually feels like they're singing from a position above the people they're supposedly trying to help, like the intended audience is sad and helpless without them. And that's pretty insulting. Heh, yeah, I thought he was really cute in "Girls." I'm pretty straight, but that girl opposite him wasn't too bad, either.

[@zombieedrea]

Hakajin Thank you. I haven't hurt myself in a year, so I'm dealing with it okay now. I've found healthier ways to cope with my stress and anxiety. I agree with you about authors. I've read too many books where the character is supposed to be suffering from depression or some other mental illness, and you can tell when the author has either no experience with it or hasn't done proper research, because it's told in an unrealistic or, again, shallow way when it's a very complicated issue. I'm often pretty critical of it (though I have read plenty of great books where the writer really nails it). The same can be said for some musicians. There are great songs about depression or some type of anguish that's relatable and you can tell that it's a personal story. Then there are others where it's just taken at very face value and it's too generalized, so that's the problem I usually have with it.

[@Hakajin]

Good! What I really hate is when books give you the message that mental health care is useless, and all you really need is love and to really start living(!). Not only is that an unhealthy message, it has the unintentional side-effect of making it seem like people dealing with anxiety and depression just aren't trying hard enough.

[@Greymetaphor]

I want a full version of Todd's Born This Way.

[@PocketDeerBoy]

I feel like songs like that are always so smug about it too. The whole "i'm beautiful and so are you and you don't have to listen to anything anybody ever says." I honestly think it's a terrible message to be completely satisfied with everything you ever do. It's good to accept criticism. You're not perfect and life sucks sometimes, and that's ok.

[@kandykirby]

And they're always sung by attractive people as a desperate attempt to identify and appeal to their fragile, low self-esteemed audiences.

[@Hippiethecat124]

Olivier Baudert As someone with crippling self-esteem issues, I would be much more grateful for someone calling me a fat sack of shit and making me want to do something to improve myself than someone saying, "Don't try to make yourself better! You're already amazing!" Like, I get why that's comforting to some people, and I support those people. Some people do need validation to not do dumb shit to conform to ridiculous beauty standards. But personally, it makes me want to yack.

[@ZeeJeff]

That's not a very healthy way to look at yourself. There's understanding your flaws in a constructive manner and then there's loathing yourself. Having a healthy outlook on life is important for self-improvement. Equating self-hatred as "criticism", I feel, dismisses legitimate problems with self image.

[@amyrat151]

+Kieran K They're probably also made by people who don't know what depression and anxiety is. These songs are made because they sell well not because anyone with real body issues they've struggled with for years decided to share their experience with the world.

[@amyrat151]

Olivier Baudert I'm not sure a song about dieting and exercising would sell well because that's hard and takes work. Just telling people they're lovely and perfect and to not care about what other people think is easy.

[@AureliaVerity]

I feel like "Here" wants to desperately be from the view point of Daria. But Daria is a far more complex character developed over like five seasons of a show. Also if Daria doesn't like being at a party - she leaves. Cara's character meanwhile, despite being clearly in 2016, a time of cells phones and cabs and Uber just stands by the door whining with literally her hat in her hand like a puppy saying she wants to leave while her friends are clearly having fun. i get the feeling that she is still there so that she can show how much fun she's not having and how above such mindless fun she is and i knew people like that and they are a drain to be with.

[@Ghostlicker]

I totally agree with this review. The song too vividly evokes the pain of self harm to be as uplifting as it's intended to be. As someone who has suffered from anorexia, all this song manages to do is make me relive one of the worst times in my life rather than make make me feel as though I've risen above it. I have no doubt that this song resonates with a lot of people, but personally, I have to turn off the radio every time it comes on.

[@gomennasai989]

B10NT1C I feel the same way about it. Also, the chorus's lyrics are atrocious.

[@TheCatsMe00w]

B10NT1C Also continues the stereotype that anorexia would be "cured" with different beauty standards even though it's primarily genetic and overlaps with OCD like behaviors

[@TheOwlQueen]

"Everyone is beautiful" is not only a lie, but misleading. Beauty standards exist in every culture and they change with time. Everyone is not beautiful. Beauty is not the end all be all of your existence. You can be more than that, you can be other things, you can be worthy while ugly. Accepting the way I look as just being how I look, separate from beauty standards, changed how I viewed myself. My body is worth more than how I look to other people: it's how I experience the world.

[@Ozae88]

That cameo from Tamara though.

[@React2Quick]

Ozae for real I was like wait a second she looks familiar

[@behemothbear]

Tamara and Malcom are the best thing on the channel.

[@Redsoxking]

i missed her

[@Ozae88]

Not entirely sure, but I'm almost sure Nostalgia Critic brought it up in a review, and of course she now has her own show.

[@TheSupergamer300Show]

Ozae Her desktop background was Iron Giant. 👌

[@japansace]

I just can't get over how uninterested the singer looks in the music video.

[@maggie5990]

That's the thing I hate about Alessia Cara; she always looks bored. No matter what she's singing, she constantly has a dead expression on her face. Cover of a classic Disney "I want song"... no emotion. Song about being free and running wild... disinterested. Emote dammit!

[@ds4251]

Judging from her last album, it sounds like this wasn't exactly a song she was into

[@maryjoherlihy3156]

"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" is the only inspirational song I can think of that is catchy and doesn't fall into the category of being overly pandering.

[@JoaoPessoa86]

Life's a laugh and death's the joke

[@WeDwellinaFiefdom]

Mary Jo Herlihy *inserts whistling here*

[@Hakajin]

I like Ingrid Michaelson's "Afterlife." It's kind of schmaltzy and cliche in parts, but... It's more about digging your heels in and keeping going when everything around you is falling apart. That's something I can actually relate to and feel encouraged by.

[@1101Archimedes]

I find Andy Grammer's "Keep Your Head Up" to be greatly uplifting, very catchy, and fairly lacking in bromides and pandering. Granted, less about empowerment and more about searching for hope and dealing with the Absurd. Maybe there are some cliches old and ubiquitous enough that I don't recognize them as cliches (like the _idea_ that "what goes around comes around"), but there's nothing new under the sun, anyway.

[@herminlionel1909]

It's kind of obscure, but the first song I thought of is "All I Have" by John Reuben. I find it encouraging because it doesn't paint a false picture and over promise like a lot of other "inspirational" songs. It doesn't tell you that you're perfect, or that life is perfect. It just says "I'm alright, I'm okay, I kind of like doing things this way". Sometimes that's all you need to hear.

[@choycalicious]

The first time I heard this song I thought she was saying "The stars know you're beautiful." Which A: at least made grammatical sense; B: I thought her message was that "The universe/some greater power knows you have worth even if the people around you don't." Imagine my disappointment when I found out what the line actually was.

[@alexmowrey4226]

In the grimdark of the 21st century there is only... Sad pop music

[@germanvisitor2]

Don't be part of the problem. Be a metalhead.

[@Azmodeus87]

So pop=Imperium? What music genres are the other races? dubbstep=orcs?

[@Bluecho4]

Guys, Hell is freezing over again. Can we get The Darkness back in here to defrost it? And maybe make veiled allusions to cocaine use? I'm sick of this dreary garbage.

[@alexmowrey4226]

Azmodeus87 I feel like the orcs would be rock. Maybe they would have bands like the "Rolling Boyz" or "Dakka and Roses".

[@BlueRoseFaery]

The Weeknd has Soo much "veiled cocaine use" if that's really what you're looking for. Can't Feel My Face & False Alarm are fun

[@TSFboi]

"you're beautiful" = bad message "don't worry about being beautiful" = better message

[@GraphicEncounter]

I originally thought the song was about self harm. Maybe that's why I disliked it less than a lot of people.

[@thegoddessamongyou4103]

nate the snailboi The first couple of times I heard it it made me cry. Which scared the crap outta me because I don't cry easily.

[@peacehope8149]

I don't know, to me that just sort of makes it worse. The song's doing that Tumblr thing where instead of giving actual solutions to self harm and depression (Ie see a doctor, call the suicide hotline, talk to people.) it just says "don't cut yourself, you're beautiful!" At best it has good intentions but doesn't know what it's doing, at worst it's trying to cash in on people's self loathing and genuine problems.

[@pentiumdeusex-machina4645]

>she's Canadian >the monster behind that awful Lost Boys song is Canadian >Mendes is Canadian >Bieber is Canadian >Nickelback, the band that is to rock what ET for Atari 2600 was to video games, is Canadian >Bryan Adams is Canadian Why do we keep letting Canada do this to us?

[@RyanStorey1231]

Pentium Deusex-Machina It's sad, because most of my favorite artists are Canadian: LIGHTS, Sarah McLachlan, Tegan & Sara, Nelly Furtado.

[@leemacwilliams2237]

Simple Plan is also Canadian.

[@knowyourroleboulevard7119]

Drake is also Canadian.

[@SatoshiKong]

Neil Young makes up for it.

[@thattypicalslimy8548]

Rush and Devin Townsend make up for it.

[@devlinburgess2463]

I think the real problems with these kind of songs is that they're too easy. They respond to some sort of standard that they see as unrealistic or harmful(and they very well may be) by making everyone meet that standard automatically. It's not really...uplifting to say "you meet the same standard everyone else does! Hooray!" Sure, it might help people who are very self-conscious, and that is a very good thing. But otherwise, I feel like songs such as this just feel cheap.

[@ToastyMozart]

Not to mention the shittiness of making low-effort garbage in a cynical attempt to get money from people with low self-esteem.

[@gomennasai989]

ToastyMozart Yes, this song feels exactly like that.

[@Hakajin]

Good point!

[@owenbloomfield1177]

The term is "Review Proof" and Todd proved it.

[@yespls4184]

Yes exactly. It's cheap and insulting to the intelligence of the audience. So pander-y and bland.

[@ironapega]

Ok but imagine this... What if, *I'm ugly on the inside*

[@russianname2986]

I can one up you, I look like I’m addicted to meth on the outside and I have the intelligence of someone who’s addicted to meth

[@lili-vg1jl]

@@russianname2986 is it because,,, your addicted to meth?

[@davesdrabbles1829]

I literally hate this song. This doesn't make me feel confident. This makes me irritated and tired. If you wanna feel empowered and strong, listen to something with loud booming instruments. A good example is the song History Maker by Dean Fujioka. Powerful instrumentals, uplifting vocals that aren't pandering, and just an overall strong sound.

[@petercahill6696]

Dave's Drabbles OK you weaboo! Guess regular uplifting songs aren't good enough for you unless they're in an anime! jk that actually is a pretty good song.

[@davesdrabbles1829]

Lol, Yuri on Ice is actually the only anime I've ever watched and the soundtrack is pretty great xD. but I don't really listen to a lot of music like that because I listen to a lot mellower stuff most of the time.

[@ToastyMozart]

Perhaps fittingly, a lot of the better confidence-anthems work pretty well as jogging music.

[@yltraviole]

Eh, I like that song, but I the lyrics don't empower me at all. I can't even relate to them. Yeah, sure *I'm* gonna make history? Bull shit.

[@davesdrabbles1829]

To each their own, lol. I don't really listen to the lyrics either, but it makes some of my other friends pretty happy.

[@littleblueclovers]

What helped me though depression wasn’t “uplifting” songs like these, but rather just happy or funny songs (personally I enjoyed Weird Al and Bo Burnham) When you feel bad about yourself, having someone come up to you and say “Stop that. Feel better” just makes you feel worse because you know you shouldn’t be acting like that and you feel incompetent for not being able to stop as easily as people say you should. If she sang a song about her struggles and experiences, I would say that is interesting, but her listing scenarios and saying “That’s not good” is kinda insulting the people suffering.

[@itspricila]

im an 18 year old girl and i agree with you. i don't enjoy these bland inspirational songs. maybe its targeted for insecure younger girls who are just beginning to navigate the world idk...

[@willowwisp6955]

1d af kermit 15 and low views on herself and I think this shit is trite :,)

[@juliasinclair5304]

Thanks for at least trying to talk about one of these songs. They've always bugged me too: where instead of self-acceptance or rejection of external pressures, the message boils down to "These standards don't exist! you're beautiful now shut up"

[@Scsigs]

"That song saved my life"...and then Simple Plan jumped the shark by writing the most cliche song in their discography, 'This Song Saved My Life.'

[@stephenmarco2927]

I want to say this is a joke but I honestly believe simple plan would write a song like that

[@tenebraequeene]

"HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO MEEEEE?!" "DO YOU EVER FEEL LEFT OUT?" That shit got me more depressed as a teenager than my actual chronic depression! I stopped listening to Simple Plan after they jumped on the "oh i'm such a misunderstood, asocial, whiny teenager! Why doesn't no one understand me?! Wahhh!" train. That shit could kill a bus of kids!

[@Scsigs]

Data Roxas Personally, to me, they've always been a guilty pleasure as I've gotten older...until their 5th album. Fuck them & that album. Plus, the song I referenced was SO vague, it can, literally, be covered by anyone & it'd have exactly the same meaning, or it can be interpreted as a tribute to themselves. Their 4th album is where they should've just stopped. Not just making music, just stopped. Stopped touring,...stopped breathing,...everything. They jumped the shark with that album & now they're in a realm of mediocrity that they'll never come back from because they don't realize what's wrong with their writing, sound, fans, etc. They're the older versions of 5 Seconds of Summer & that ain't good because 5 Seconds of Summer have already attempted to get more mature than they started out on their second album & I hope they make more of those songs in the future to dig themselves out of their mediocrity. Simple Plan have no hope unless they hit absolute rock bottom where everyone left in their fandom that hasn't already jumped ship has such a backlash that they have no choice but to either get better, or pack it in. They're just a sad bunch.

[@drpibisback7680]

Scsigs The only thing worse than a wimpy pop punk band is a humorless pop punk band. Blink 182 weren't musical prodigies, but they were at least charmingly goofy. Everything I've heard about Simple Plan, Good Charlotte, etc. makes them sound like the worst thing ever.

[@Venylynn]

How FUCKING DARE they write music people can relate to?! Didn't you know music was about technicality and not the emotional connection?

[@andrebrynkus2055]

Ugh, try living in Canada where radio stations have to play 35% or more Canadian produced content. That means when cruising in the car and changing stations I end up hearing her played 6-10 times a day. (AND EVERY ONE OF HER SONGS SOUNDS THE SAME!)

[@yiningfan4642]

Because her voice works that magic haha. Maybe you have to listen to Drake 20 times a day?

[@maxben3391]

Makes me miss the days of Simple Plan on the radio....

[@EpicB]

Why bother with this when you could just borrow Fry's Rush mixtape?

[@littleblueclovers]

2:54 “I got like 15 pounds that I need to lose and I can’t seem to lose the weight no matter how little I try-“ That resonates with me to my core

[@MrWhitexephos]

A good uplifting song is "I" by Kendrick Lamar

[@ancalabond8703]

MrWhitexephos Yeah because Kendrick is a fucking god.

[@runawayz28]

MrWhitexephos This is a perfect choice. The only lyrics I know are "I love myself!" - which I always sing/yell loudly while dancing stupidly. And it makes me feel so good.

[@zapruderofficial69]

MrWhitexephos I really like FOB songs for a morale booster, particularly "Champion". It's great.

[@liamburke3279]

If you hate your body, just start shooting cops!

[@lizucavictoria]

I love every minute of Hyper Fangirl screen time. (Yes, the comment was on the version of this video that was taken down, I'm putting it up again.)

[@tomtimtiymytom9996]

Eliza-Victoria Batrin add the last parentheses! this is bothering me! (like this)

[@lizucavictoria]

that little eleven year old named timmy Done!

[@tomtimtiymytom9996]

Eliza-Victoria Batrin thanks!

[@lizucavictoria]

kenterminatedbygoogle I'm sure it was mentioned in one NC review.

[@mattomoros]

She first appeared on the Lorax review and her name is mentioned there.

[@jjjorp]

"She's the most promising of the lorde alikes" Todstradomus strikes again.

[@juannunez5767]

This review makes me ask "Whatever happened to Charlie XCX?" She wasn't awesome, but at least she had a more unique style and charisma than majority of the generic brunette career featured artists/backup vocals singers.

[@Lemanic89]

She became a meme. Just listen to her EP "Vroom Vroom" she did with PC Music maestro SOPHIE.

[@Champiness]

Juan Nunez Charli hooked up with a bunch of PC Music producers to work on an album that's definitely, regardless of whatever other attributes it ends up having, going to be 100x more fun than Alessia. She's got a mixtape coming out some time within the next month that's gonna have extra tunes from the sessions.

[@yiningfan4642]

She was trying too hard to produce a ...special 3rd album and got lost I think? Just put out a Sucker sibling would be fine imo..

[@shankieinthefridge]

Good things happened to her!

[@cbot72]

I was in a record store last month and someone was playing one of her songs and I was so repulsed by the song I left immediately

[@zalybrainlessgenius503]

Does anyone remember Melanie Martinez' "Mrs Potato Head"? The song that basically said "Yeah, sure, do it, have plastic surgery, it's worth shit and your face will fall apart like your life." I think this is a way more powerful way to deliver this message, instead of saying "No, don't do it, it bad, ur pretty the way you are

[@ATAGChozo]

Bruno Mars did this song better in my opinion... What was it, like 6 years ago? Man, I feel old.

[@shiranturgeman892]

ATAG Chozo What song?

[@empeanutson]

+Shiran Turgeman "Just The Way You Are"

[@shiranturgeman892]

empeanutson OH that. It's more of a song to his significant other, if I remember correctly

[@dariuswatson6298]

I love Firework by Katy Perry and even like Fight Song but I actually can't stand that Bruno Mars song. I kind of feel bad for hating on it as its well meaning but it feels awfully corny and maudlin.

[@TheSongwritingCat]

Nope. That's just a dressed up One Direction song. It doesn't neg as hard but it's still all about the girl being insecure and then being validated by a man... because she is actually physically beautiful. Great...

[@BadgerCheese94]

There needs to be more songs like "you're ugly and its okay!"

[@kieranstark7213]

How about Why Don’t We’s *Don’t Change* Although, it is from a movie that is ruined by its own message being shoved in our throats so many times, while it is good by itself because it is about feeling good about yourself even if you may not be traditionally good-looking”.

[@frogmafiaofficial]

Watched it before the claim... achievement get?

[@JackDC24]

Casey Gabalis me too

[@lev668]

Same here ^^

[@roddorfj]

Casey Gabalis This is the equivalent of "First!" now. Do you have nothing interesting to say?

[@JackDC24]

Roddor the modern prison system is a way for corporates to achieve monatery gain at the expense of the poor

[@frogmafiaofficial]

Roddor the Fibbonacci sequence is found everywhere in nature - galaxies, flowers, carbon microstructures, you name it

[@katbird2699]

Just putting it out there though that P!nks Song, 'Fuckin' Perfect,' was actually written for her daughter when she grows up That's kind of always the part that I found beautiful

[@ImEverytingPeopleHate]

i feel like the video for this is even worse, because they focus on the "ugly" parts of the women, even though the woman is still attractive. like the one shot where they focus on a tiny scar on a woman's eyebrow, despite the fact that it's so tiny, and she's still conventionally attractive. i feel like that makes it worse, because it's saying "hey even though you have a tiny imperfection, people still think you're ugly, but i think you're beautiful" making people feel even more self-conscious. i had a friend who was very self-conscious, because she was born with a cleft lip, and had a lot of complications at birth, so she was covered with scars and she always said how ugly she felt because of it. she heard this song, (oddly enough at a bowling ally, so it also showed the video for it... but who wants to hear an anti-self harm anthem when they're bowling!?) and it made her cry, because she felt like the song was bullying her. she doesn't wanna hear "the world thinks you're ugly, but i don't think you're ugly, even though i've never met you and don't know what you look like" she doesn't wanna be reminded about her scars, because she hates her scars. and i've had other friend who have scars from cutting themselves, i even have some too, but we're not proud of our scars, and the song seems to want you to be proud of your scars, because they're a part of you, and YoU'Re StIlL bEaUtIfUl. sorry about the comment being so long...

[@mutefeed]

worst line in this song; "You don't have to change a thing, the world can change its heart". Narcissistic much?

[@foxtoons1999]

mutefeed Exactly! The song is a guilty pleasure for me, but I hate that line! You DO have to change some things about yourself because that's how you can improve. The mentality of that line is really shallow thinking.

[@ecliptik8020]

no sweetie, I'm all for being yourself but don't expect everyone to accept it, that's actually a damaging measage

[@bbhavefun11]

See, that's the one redeeming line in the song for me. I like the message of "it's okay if you're surrounded by people who put you down right now, you'll find your place eventually". But I may be projecting my own feelings on to that line, too. I like that it reassures me that I'm doing the right thing for me--going into a job field everyone I know looks down on me for, being terrible at profitable skills but great at "talents", generally only thriving in places that people look down on. Like. It's cool that I'm like that. Eventually I'll be in a better place and everyone will see that I was right to be doing this.

[@emailing]

isn't that line supposed referring to physical beauty?

[@kieranstark7213]

Agreed, who the hell is Alessia Cara to be in one of the most sympathetic and catchy songs like *Let Me Down Slowly* over one of the greatest modern artists with a lot of passion put into his work like Jay Sean (yes, he’s still relevant, since Surma Surma hit a lot of views) when she made narcissistic and hypocritical songs like “Scars to Your Beautiful” and “Here”?!

[@gimmefeedback]

“One time, I got a bad comment on my fanfic so I tried to throw myself into a jet engine” me when I receive one critique

[@phastinemoon]

Me when I see 10 good reviews: Meh Me when I get one even mildly negative review: THEY’RE RIGHT, MY WORK IS AWFUL AND MY LIFE IS RUINED!

[@TheCatsMe00w]

I felt the same way about "Here". The whole time I was wondering why this girl didn't just leave if she was just going to be "standing in the corner" with her judgmental attitude.

[@phastinemoon]

I felt like it’s a song that sounds like what parties sound like, to introverts who HATE being dragged into parties by their friends who don’t understand that they’d rather be at home watching anime, for people who aren’t those introverts. So I do RESPECT it, even if I can’t stand it.

[@kats938]

Damn, even "Fight Song" sounds more upbeat than this.

[@littleblueclovers]

“You’re beautiful, person I’ve never seen before! Your soul is beautiful too, person I’ve never met before!”

[@morphman86]

The big problem I have with this song is the same problem I have with almost any song that airs on radio for the past few months: They all use what I have dubbed the "crying teenager vocals". You know, the one that sounds like a 14-year-old that got told off by mommy for coming home after curfew and tries to explain through his/her tears why they were late, while reeking of tobacco and cheap beer. "I didn't mean to, mommy. I just lost track of time." *sniffle* "And it wasn't my fault. Jimmy held me down on the couch and forced me to smoke a cigarette" *skronk* "but I promise, I didn't inhale!" THAT'S the voice they think pop music in 2017 should have?

[@willowwisp6955]

morphman86 XD

[@tenebraequeene]

What fourteen year old smokes or drinks? o.O (Still funny nonetheless - here sir, have a Like. ;3)

[@morphman86]

A misbehaving one... And one that gets caught starts crying...

[@irishhuskie2585]

Data Roxas Lukas Graham?

[@AirQuotes]

morphman86 ah most teenagers are cry baby punks who put on a big front

[@chuckbatman5]

This new trend in pop music (the depressing, low energy, melancholy songs) is actually pretty representative of the current sentiment of a lot of young people now. I'm 17 and I've noticed amongst people my age that it's almost trendy to complain nowadays. To be grumpy and whiny all the time, to think that you deserve better and accept pandering songs like this as important pieces trying to make a statement because they merely make reference to a serious topic. Everyone's unique, everyone's entitled, everyone is beautiful, etc. Self-confidence is a great thing and there are things in society that should be changed to make us more accepting and caring towards others. But the modern youthful sentiment is less about boosting self-confidence and getting rid of social stigmas and prejudices, and more about having a giant pity party so all the "depressed" teenagers who think they're different and special because they don't follow popular trends when actually they're the biggest drivers of pop culture can reinforce their beliefs that it's the rest of the world doing something wrong and causing them strife, so they never have to confront their problems and instead can just yell about Trump on social media

[@Etaukan]

That Tamara cameo strikes a little too close to home. I write fanfic, and I work loading and unloading aircraft at an international airport--If I wanted to throw myself into a jet engine, I could. (but I would never do that, because those things are terrifying maws of spinny-bladed annihilation that hunger for the souls of the living... and besides, fuck the haters)

[@aceofflames4572]

Watching this in the future, having totally forgot that Todd used to be part of Channel Awesome, and then I get a Hyper Fangirl jumpscare. Jesus Christ, that takes me back.

[@roblikesmusic9476]

This "that song saved my life" applies to "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M.

[@anthonychaboude1548]

I’m so glad Alessia Cara won the Grammy for best new artist. Not because she deserved it (Khalid, SZA, and Lil Uzi verts anyone) but because the award is a death kiss for artists. It has worked and I’m happy.

[@__Krystal__]

Can't you list the end song in the description like everyone else does, so I don't have to go "What's the end song?" and have to wait for pretentious replies like "It's ______ duhhh" or "omg how do you not know this song?". Seriously Todd, help a girl out lol

[@FalconPain]

It's "Cara Mia" by Jay and the Americans. Without condescension.

[@stanard_bearer]

"Genuinely" Nice to see some more Elcore on Earth.

[@Bluecho4]

Or have smart alacks say something like "Daruda Sandstorm". This is not helpful.

[@robinchesterfield42]

+DM This time, I had a rare case of gasp!--actually _already knowing it myself_--but that's because I do weird things like make chronological song lists of a whole decade in order for fun, and I think that one ended up on my '60s Collection. :P (Although it sounds like earlier '50s pop...which it originally was.) At any rate, I wouldn't be smartass or eye-rollingly "DUH" about it! I'd've just, like...said it. Except somebody else already got there. Heh.

[@afterdinnercreations936]

Songs about depressing subject-matter can still sound great or even fun, not just those trick-songs that sound upbeat but had sad lyrics like "Semi-Charmed Life" or "Hey Ya".

[@mikki3740]

Yes...I always found this song sad, not uplifting. Even the video...the "beautiful" women don't particularly look joyful, strong, sexy or triumphant. They look wounded and like they have just given up.

[@tylergianchetta3946]

At least she can sing....kinda...well...I mean by standards now.... Hey ever notice how it's always good-looking people making this songs? When was the last time we had an unattractive person in the music industry? SO CLEARLY LOOKS DO MATTER! WHOOOAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOWWWWHHHAOOOOOOAAAAAAWHOOOOAAAA My newest hit. You're welcome.

[@MrSimondaniel3]

exactly.

[@misty8915]

I mean Ed Sheeran doesn't look so great

[@ffjreviews9029]

6ix9ine now exists

[@SaphInfection]

Lewis capaldi is a thing now :O

[@JBiggsofWSNC]

I don't care for her voice.

[@dr2brains_]

I've actually heard a lot of hate on plastic surgery about people saying they don't need it to be beautiful but the thing is it's not just for that, I had plastic surgery a few years because I broke my nose and it screwed it like two inches. I don't want a nose that screwed, I wear glasses! That would be super annoying.

[@punkuke]

I've struggled with self-harm and suicidal thoughts for years and songs like this are just insulting.

[@tentacledood5784]

Same here, just trying to capitalize on sadness.

[@StarlightPrism]

I just immediately assumed the song was about cutting. You're right about pop music being kind of depressing lately. I hope it starts to get angry, I like angry music.

[@MelissaTreglia]

The two songs that legitimately inspire me are both by Gloria Estefan: "Always Tomorrow" and "Coming Out of the Dark" (from the original Queen of Latin Pop, for you Gen Z kids). In those two songs, she just talks about how she wants to make her future better than her past was, and how she refused to let circumstances in her life keep her down. Prior to the release of those songs, she was in an accident where her tour bus had hit by an 18-wheeler, and the resulting damage to her spinal column made her doctors think she'd never walk again. She was in traction for months, and walked onto the Grammy stage under her own power to massive applause. And both of those songs I mentioned? They both talk about how close she came to giving up, but that she ultimately kept going because she knew what she wanted, and she knew there were people rooting for her. That's FAR more inspirational than this generic dreck, because you know Gloria has dealt with her shit and kept moving forward in her life. (And that's not even considering the fact that Gloria's family had originally fled Fidel Castro's regime in Cuba when she was a kid to seek asylum in the US. She's an amazing woman who has been through A LOT.)

[@diamondinmyeye6160]

I lost it at "sucks to your asmar." 😂

[@ImperialGoldfish]

Anyone else find it intensely patronising to be told by an attractive child that she doesn't believe that your horrible body renders you worthless?

[@animikean]

That's the song's title? But... but grammar, it's an incomplete thought that makes no sense! Scars to your beautiful (what?) even "scars to you're beautiful" would make more sense as a statement of progression

[@yiningfan4642]

Cuz it sounds edgy LOL

[@mastermarkus5307]

Every time I hear the song (which is WAY TOO OFTEN because I'm in Canada in a workplace with an always-on-the-same-channel radio) it makes me think of "Word to your mother" but for edgy teens, or like Todd exemplified, a retake of "sucks to your assmar".

[@gjeanf2005]

I’ve always hated the title.

[@abevamp]

"with all the depth of a dove commercial" is genuinely one of the most savage lines I've seen you give, hot damn. You're not wrong though.

[@Axioanarchist]

The "millennial whoop" seems to have evolved from the "boy band ooh/ooh-yeah" prevalent in a lot of 90s pop music. I hated it then and I hate it now.

[@mastermarkus5307]

I can tolerate it when it's in a Savage Garden song or something, since it's used sparingly compared to the boy bands.

[@riahlexington]

Axioanarchist yeah

[@TonyExists]

"One day little boys will feel just as shitty as little girls" If it helps your point nearly half a decade later and i as a late gen Z'er can't stand looking in the mirror longer than a second

[@justadinosaur]

I can't believe I'm saying this but... Melanie Martinez did it better. At least she didn't make any pretense about it being a sad song and the video went for shock value with the plastic surgery going wrong and her boyfriend moving on to another girl. Anybody else miss the days when music videos were actually good rather than just one person in a room with a greyscale filter on the camera?

[@thegoddessamongyou4103]

Kcdmgirl Ms. Potato Head. Good song but I think this song is more about "all" the things that can make a woman think she's less than perfect. And telling her that despite these flaws she's still beautiful.

[@willowwisp6955]

Kcdmgirl omg yes ! That song is perfect ( the bit of sippy cup also touches on this)

[@willowwisp6955]

eating raw faces is my least favorite thing to do. Tk

[@floresdeisla]

I totally agree with you. I love both Melanie and Alessia, and even Alessia's "Scars To Your Beautiful" by itself is quite an emotional song for me since I interpret it as a song about self-harm more than plastic surgery. But yeah, the video for the song seriously butchered that message.... It could've at least tried better, like P!nk's "Fucking Perfect" music video. The climax of that music video hits quite close to home with people who could relate to self-harm, but in result it becomes a very powerful video because of it.

[@justadinosaur]

I just thought about this as well, what about people who get reconstructive facial surgery? Technically that's plastic surgery too, song doesn't touch on that either. As for the cutting thing, I guess you could interpret it as that, but even then the message is lost with the video since none of those women as far as I saw had any cutting scars. I think Todd does have a point though, for something that's supposed to be a "Female Empowerment Song" It's depressing as hell, not that all have to be happy, but I'm just sick of the Masquerade and all the boring as hell music videos. Turn Down For What by DJ Snake came out only 2 years ago!

[@EternalYorkieMom]

Songs like Fuckin Perfect and Born This Way to me have something genuine in them to me. Also the Hyper Fangirl cameo was SO FUNNY

[@johnkoch9315]

I haven't heard an Alessia Cara song that I like, but it's mostly that she's pursuing a style or delivery that I just can't understand. Here is just not a song. Literally just tuneless talking. I'm not trying to sound like someone who doesn't understand rap music and says it's just talking over a beat, no, I like rap, and Here is literally not a song. Scars to Your Beautiful is slightly better, if not insincere and boring, but just leaves me thinking "what the hell is this?"

[@mastermarkus5307]

"Here" and this song sound like she's singing after like... JUST waking up.

[@j.d.t.5761]

Listen to her 2018 album and "Wild Things"

[@JebusMatoi]

You know, i've noticed there's so many inspirational pop songs...for women. Where are the ones for the men? Do we not have feelings too?

[@stranget92]

Have you ever consider moving to Australia or UK Todd? I mean their charts look more upbeat and fun to review than the Billboard US.

[@Champiness]

stranget92 No shade but I doubt he's uprooting his life to live in the country that sent "Say You Won't Let Go" to #1

[@prideguy3233]

Champiness That seemed like some shade, and I respect it.

[@Champiness]

Eddie at The LMV I'd agree with the "refreshing cliche" argument if the song didn't feature a line about James Arthur's girlfriend vomiting

[@dariuswatson6298]

That may have got to no.1 but we still had great songs in the top 20 that weren't hits in the US like Final Song by MO, awesome songs by Years & Years like King and Shine and The Sound by the 1975.

[@Champiness]

Darius Watson I don't deny that the UK charts are considerably more interesting overall (I'm too big a fan of Tom Ewing's "Popular" blog to think otherwise); it's just that for every "Hideaway" or "Rather Be" you send our way there tends to be a "Let It Go" (James Bay, to be clear) or "Rockabye". You aren't running away from dreary ballads by moving to Britain, you're just getting some more novel stuff inbetween.

[@TenaciousE03]

I love Coldplay, but my biggest pet peeve is the incessant "woahs" in the vast majority of their hits

[@lyinsroar9637]

I love avril lavigne's keep holding on, she wrote it for the eragon soundtrack tho

[@curlyprivat22]

"Beauty is pain and there's beeauty in everything, what's a little bit of hunger ... " DO YOU EVEN REALIZE how motivating singing lines like this with an easy melody can be to do exactly what she wants to end? Like.. yeah, I'm hungry. Let me remember that easy melody by an attractive singer and sing those lines over and over and over again. ^^. Of course it is not her fault. But anything possible to be used as an anthem to fuel mental illness will probably be used for that. Those lines don't make anybody step away from an ED.

[@gabeguarin1096]

Wow Todd is actually defending 'Fight Song', a song that pissed him off a lot.

[@kieranstark7213]

Well, he said only ONE thing he liked about it.

[@hannahaugustyniak11]

Dude I was a teenage girl with mental health issues when this song came out I was the exact target demographic and I hated it! I find most of these songs super pandering

[@cthrugrl]

I literally forgot this used to be a channel awesome show and nearly spit out my drink in shock when the nostalgia critic fangirl character appeared

[@annikab2713]

This is a rare example of a pop song that I can actually appreciate because it mentions actual symptoms of eating disorders instead of just saying you're beautiful. It mentions the mental effects. This song definitely isn't about plastic surgery...

[@aaronharris1092]

1:47 ahh!!! Nostalgia Critic character jumpscare!!!!!!

[@tylertyler3214]

I live in Alesia caras hometown and her music is inescapable on the radio. She isn't that bad on first listen but she gets annoying when she's like the only thing you hear for all of 2015 and 2016

[@landoman107]

Between this and Lost Boy my school has no taste in music.

[@acrylicgodoy]

Why do I need to feel beautiful? What's wrong with being ok with being average or ugly? Now THAT would be an empowering song.

[@rionmask334]

I feel like all of Alessia Cara's songs are really pandering and written for pseudo 16 year-old hipsters.

[@surroundgatari]

Rion Mask What the fuck does 'pseudo' mean in this comment???

[@surroundgatari]

Rion Mask I don't get what a fake 16 year old is dude

[@mastermarkus5307]

I think the pseudo was supposed to go with "hipsters".

[@SaphInfection]

@@surroundgatari duhhhhh, otherworldly aliens disguising themselves as 16 year olds and taking on the role of a hipster to blend in 🙄

[@RyanStorey1231]

I love songs like these if they're genuine and not patronizing as fuck. This is trying to be Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful", but it doesn't realize what made that song so poignant: - In the song, Christina actually restrains herself vocally for once and sounds defeated, broken, but gradually gains power and the tone becomes more uplifting as it shifts into the second verse and the third verse. While "Beautiful" could have painted Christina in the same shallow light as Alesia Cara, you at least get the sense that she "gets it". - The song was written by Linda Perry, and while her songwriting can be kind of cheesy at times, she also "gets it". She probably knows exactly what it's like to not feel "beautiful" - especially as an LGBT woman. That's why to this day, ever since my depressing middle school days, "Beautiful" has always resonated with me so profoundly. "Scars To Your Beautiful" is pretentious, limp, soulless, and dour. Plus, I don't get any indication that Alesia Cara knows what it's like to not feel accepted or beautiful. And I hate her voice, which doesn't help matters. Side-note: Sara Bareilles is amazing, don't you dare! 😁

[@Jekyllstein_Gray]

Never thought I'd say something like this: but comparing Alessia Cara to the gargoyles from The Hunchback of Notre Dame is an insult to the gargoyles. The gargoyles at least genuinely like Quasimodo and are trying to encourage him. They don't sound NEARLY as patronizing as Alessia.

[@Aster_Risk]

The Smiths - Meat is Murder. How is that not a routine part of everyone's parties?

[@robinchesterfield42]

Heh. The second he started talking about "songs about the evils of the meat industry"...that's exactly what popped into my head. ...I have no idea what that says about me, except perhaps that my knowledge of depressing music leans more towards the oldschool. :P

[@Aster_Risk]

Robin Chesterfield That, and you have good taste in music. I jest about the meat thing, but I'm a fan of The Smiths. Unfortunately. :D

[@robinchesterfield42]

+Alicia Kistner-King I'd like to think so. :) Actually I have _broad_ taste in music, including cheesy stuff, stupid stuff, and loooots of things from before I was born (because I'm curious about pop-music history). As for the Smiths--I've got a fair few of their songs in my music folder myself! Their stuff can be depressing...but depressing while also being well-written, catchy and/or pretty, and THAT makes a lot of difference.

[@Aster_Risk]

There you. Broad is a better term. I'm the same. I'll listen to crap like Ashlee Simpson, then Smashing Pumpkins. I also love the history of pop music, music in general actually. I think it's okay to like The Smiths as long as you know Morrissey is kind of a jerk, and you don't take all of the lyrics to heart. Ha ha. My favorite music writer, Rob Sheffield, actually wrote some stuff about being a Smiths fan and how it's pretty much the worst. They were his favorite band, and he mentions how they're a terrible influence particularly on young men, because they're so whiny about everything. It's one of the best things I've ever read, because it's true. Jeez, I really do love Morrissey and The Smiths. :D

[@ToddniTV]

Todd: Shit when did music become so depressing? Me: [sitting in bed watching] since 2016, when the ends of days began.

[@RyanStorey1231]

Nick Todd I'd say it started in 2015.

[@collingentry3976]

I like how songs went from "You're amazing and you can be the best thing ever!" in Firework, to this song with the message of "At least don't hurt yourself"

[@vids1900]

Can we get a countdown of the top 5 or 10 songs that do this correctly?

[@legogore911]

Edward Thomson About a third of Illmatic could be on that list

[@lays5277]

I can't believe in 2017 Alessia Cara basically told teenage girls all over the country "nooooo don't cut your self you're pretty on the inside haha" and everyone was like "this is a positive and uplifting message with no flaws"