This moment is very bittersweet for me. My first blog as a senior, and last first blog as an MSA student. Agh! For my first post, I would like to review a verse a few verses of Brown Skin Girl by Beyoncé Knowles featuring Blue Ivy, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, and Saint Jhn. The first two I am reviewing says:
Tonight I might fall in love, dependin’ on how you hold me
I’m glad that I’m calmin’ down, can’t let no one come control me
Keep dancin’ and call it love, she fightin’ but fallin’ slowly
If ever you are in doubt, remember what mama told me
This verse sounds like something that should be in an inspirational book for teenage girls. The lines, “can’t let no one come control me”, “she fightin’ but fallin’ slowly”, and “remember what mama told me” gives me those vibes.
Brown skin girl, ya skin just like pearls
Your back against the world
I never trade you for anybody else, say
Brown skin girl, ya skin just like pearls
The best think inna di world
I never trade you for anybody else, say
This verse gives me a young mother talking to her five or seven-year-old daughter, boosting her confidence. I think these lines are the most impactful because of the context. Also, although I do believe it could account for EVERY black female on this Earth, it just feels more-so targeted towards the younger (ages four to about ten) little girls. I am a firm believer in starting early, in regards to telling a child just how perfect they are. Comparing melanin skin to pearls is brilliant. I think it is most important to say, “your back against the world”. I would even go as far as to say your back against the world because the world can and will turn its’ back on you.
Here is the next part:
–
Have you looked in the mirror lately?
Wish you could trade eyes with me
There’s complexities in complexion
But your skin, it glow like diamonds
Dig me like the earth, you be giving birth
Took everything in life, baby, know your worth
I love everything about you, from your nappy curls
To every single curve, your body natural
Same skin that was broken be the same skin takin’ over
Most thinks out of focus, view
But when you’re in the room, they notice you
‘Cause you’re beautiful
I feel like these lines are targeted more towards the adult of the female AA race. I think this just based off of her saying “you be giving birth”. I also think it has an undertone about post-partum depression because she says, “know your worth”. I enjoyed that she referenced the stereotypes and somewhat facts of the naps and curves. I do also believe that she sort of referenced herself when she said “same skin takin’ over” because she is Queen Bey, you know? I am glad she said that being noticed is because of the beauty and not for obvious other reasons.
The last line I would like to review is:
“YOUR SKIN IS NOT ONLY DARK; IT SHINES AND IT TELLS YOUR STORY.”
This is the most important line for EVERY BLACK PERSON. I think it makes a statement since it is at the end.
Overall, the message of the song is amazing. I do thoroughly enjoy that it has an African tone in the words. The song is great. I strongly recommend it.
