Fashioning the Body: Versions of the Citizen, the Self, and the Subject

Language Control, Britney, and "Piece of Me"


For the most part, I do not believe in blogs. Sometimes I go so far as to say "I don't believe in the internet" but that's, well, a lie. I am willing to use/read blogs for exactly two reasons. 1) For school 2) To look up info on Britney's new album. Rumor had it that her new album would be called "Piece of Me" (it's now "Blackout" but "Piece of Me" remains one of the tracks) which blog posting people immediately began misapprehending/misnaming as "Pieces of Me." Sure, there was that Jewel album and that Ashlee Simpson song, both called "Pieces of Me," that individuals might be conjuring, but I believe it's a case of subconscious linguistic manipulation for the benefit of enforcing limitations on women.

"Pieces" implies something fractured, fragile, incomplete and more readable as appropriately feminine. If Britney's song is "Piece of Me" (which it is) she is asking/demanding "Do you want a piece of me?" It's a fight song. It shows intent. Particularly in Britney's current, haggard state, there is a cultural interest in showing her as weak or incompetent. But her songs can actually be tough, sarcastic, and smart. Her music may be the only area in which she is succeeding, but she is not even allowed that much by the mistyping populace.

Next up, Britney and the misreading of "Gimme More."
Or maybe In the Defense of Pop Music with Judith Butler.