In 2001, the music goddesses gave us “Lady Marmalade” with Christina Aguilera, Pink, Missy Elliott, Lil Kim, and Mya. In 2014 we got “Bang Bang” with Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj. It’s time we have another all-star lady pop anthem, isn’t it?
Never fear! Four of today’s pop powerhouses—Rita Ora, Charli XCX, Bebe Rexha, and queen Cardi B—have come together for an anthem that celebrates girls—and not just friendship and sisterhood.
“Sometimes I just wanna kiss girls, girls, girls,” the catchy chorus rings out (in an adorably aesthetic lyric video).
But I do need to point out that the song’s lyrics contain a few stereotypes about female bisexuality—for instance, the chorus says, “Red wine, I just wanna kiss girls,” so aka, only kissing girls when drunk. Charli XCX’s bridge includes, “Last night yeah we got with the dude/ I saw him he was looking at you/ so I said hey.” Translation? Two girls only having sex when a man is involved or for his enjoyment.
It’s easy to add things like this to a light-hearted pop song, and it’s 100 percent okay if someone’s expression of their sexuality looks like this, but it’s also important to keep in mind that bisexual women are more complicated and diverse than the stereotypes that exist.
The song does do a good job of being open and proud in the beginning: “I ain’t one sided/ I’m open-minded/I’m 50-50 and I’m never gonna hide it.”
Complicated lyrical content aside, the song is super fun and I’m living for these four fab ladies coming together!
Take a listen to this fluffy summer smash:
