I have always loved Pink for her "I don't care what you think of me" attitude, but she has really done it this time. Released in 2006, Pink uses this song to directly speak to the president and his administration, and she calls him out. She discusses abortion rights, gay rights, and his lack of knowledge of what it is like to live on minimum wage. Even though this song is directed at President Bush, I think it can be applied to many other politicians. Most men in Congress are very wealthy, not representative of the American life, and they just do not understand what life is like for the lower socio-economic class to work hard and come up short because the minimum wage is not a living wage.
Also, the abortion debate and gay rights debate is very prominent today, so it is great that Pink addresses both. However, she doesn't just say "what about that girl over there, you're controlling her rights as a woman." No. She says "what about YOUR daughter, you are taking HER rights away." Pink takes her "don't care" attitude and really makes a statement with this song.
Regardless of whether or not you agree with Pink, this song should be listened to and reflected upon before making any rash opinions. You have to give Pink credit for having the audacity to put a song like this out there for the whole country to hear.
Dear Mr. President,
Come take a walk with me.
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me.
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly.
What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?
What do you feel when you look in the mirror?
Are you proud?
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why?
Dear Mr. President,
Were you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
How can you say
No child is left behind?
We're not dumb and we're not blind.
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell.
What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away?
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay?
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine.
How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye?
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh
How do you sleep at night?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Dear Mr. President,
You'd never take a walk with me.
Would you?
I think this is a great song to talk about and very fitting for your blog! I feel like she took the idea of Loretta Lynn's Dear Uncle Sam and turned it into a song with more depth. Loretta Lynn focused on herself and her emotions, which were valid and meaningful when the song was released, whereas Pink took the struggles of all women.
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