What's the sense of having a No. 1 hit single if you can't add some amusement to it? Well, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots made sure they brought some entertainment around Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" during an appearance on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" on Thursday night (Aug. 1).
We're guessing the theme was tiny, because the crew played with various kiddie instruments including a xylophone, metal spoons, guitar, cowbell, a wooden, and sang background while crooner Robin Thicke brought the soul. This was definitely tight!
"Blurred Lines," featuring Pharrell and T.I., continues to reign at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Are you familiar with Robin Thicke’s controversial hit song ‘Blurred Lines’? It caused quite a stir when it was released in 2013, with many criticizing its lyrics and music video for objectifying women.
However, on a recent episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the song got a surprising makeover that is sure to put a smile on your face.
In the kid-friendly version of ‘Blurred Lines,’ performed by Thicke and Fallon with The Roots as their backing band, the lyrics have been changed to promote positive messages about consent and respect.
The new version features lines such as ‘I know you want it, but you’re not gonna get it unless it’s consensual’ and ‘Respect everybody.’ This playful rendition shows how even controversial songs can be reimagined in a way that promotes positivity and inclusivity.
Keep reading to learn more about this fun twist on one of pop music’s most contentious hits.
The Controversy Surrounding “Blurred Lines”
It’s no secret that the controversy surrounding ‘Blurred Lines’ is as heated as ever. The song, which was released in 2013, has been criticized for its lyrics and music video, which many argue promote rape culture and objectify women.
Despite this backlash, the song became a massive hit and topped charts around the world.
The controversy surrounding ‘Blurred Lines’ reached a boiling point when Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams were sued by Marvin Gaye’s estate for copyright infringement. Gaye’s family claimed that ‘Blurred Lines’ copied elements of Gaye’s 1977 hit ‘Got to Give It Up.’
In 2015, Thicke and Williams were ordered to pay $7.4 million in damages to Gaye’s estate.
While some argue that the controversy surrounding ‘Blurred Lines’ is overblown, others believe that it highlights important issues about consent and respect for women.
Regardless of where you stand on the issue, there is no denying that ‘Blurred Lines’ sparked an important conversation about sexism in popular culture.
The Kidz Bop Version: A Positive Spin on a Controversial Song
You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the positive spin put on a controversial song in the Kidz Bop version of Robin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines.’
The original song has been criticized for its questionable lyrics and objectification of women, but the Kidz Bop version replaces those lyrics with more appropriate ones.
While the original chorus goes ‘I know you want it,’ the Kidz Bop version changes it to ‘I know we can do it.’ This small change makes a big difference in how the song is perceived, especially when sung by children.
Additionally, other suggestive lines have been removed entirely or replaced with innocent alternatives.
Overall, this new rendition of ‘Blurred Lines’ provides a way for kids to enjoy a catchy tune without being exposed to inappropriate content. It also shows that even controversial songs can be reworked into something positive and enjoyable for all ages.
So next time you hear someone singing along to ‘Blurred Lines,’ remember that there’s now a kid-friendly version they might actually be listening to instead.
Conclusion
So there you have it, you were skeptical and perhaps even disgusted by Robin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ when it first came out, and rightfully so.
The song’s lyrics and music video have been widely criticized for promoting misogyny and rape culture.
However, thanks to Jimmy Fallon and his team, the song has gotten a family-friendly makeover with the Kidz Bop version.
It just goes to show that sometimes all it takes is a little creativity to turn something controversial into something positive.
And who knows? Maybe this new version of ‘Blurred Lines’ will help start important conversations with younger generations about consent and respecting others’ boundaries.
Founder and Creator of Singersroom.com and IncredibleWork.com. Follow me on Instagram at @gary.gentles.
