Music Review: Meredith Brooks "Bitch"
Meredith Brooks
from 
JoeUser Forums
JoeUser Forums
Bitch
Album: Blurring the Edges
Year: 1997
Meredith Brooks thinks her unpredicatable mood swings are cute in the presumptuous “Bitch.”
Strutting percussion and patronizing guitars open the single, setting a curt tone. In the first verse, she says she’s angry at everyone right now. People are just pissing her off. She tells her boyfriend he’s sweet to put up with her. He’s set her aside and shown her news stories that disprove her cynical theories. However, she says no amount of talking will change her perception. He believes she’s not as tough as she seems. She reveals to him that she weeped during a movie they watched together. She tells him he should be pleased with her. Her boyfriend tells her he can’t figure her out. She says she rather not be stuck on cheerful all the time like some damn robot. She likes being a kaleidoscope of emotions. It makes life interesting for everyone else.
In the chorus, she says she can be mean, tender, immature, maternal, diabolical and holy. She doesn’t care if she unnerves people. She says she can be throwing tantrums for no apparent reason one day and then snuggling next to her boyfriend for comfort the next. There’s no middle ground. It’s a quality he likes about her otherwise he would’ve gone a long time ago.
In the second verse, she says her boyfriend has no choice but to accept her the way she is. She’s set in her ways. She tells him it will mean growing some thick skin. She warns that when she’s screaming or banging the doors, it’s short-lived. It won’t even matter the next day. She’ll be in another mood.
The chorus is sung again.
A passive guitar solo follows.
In the bridge, she says once he thinks he knows her, she will pull the chain, letting loose another twist that will puzzle him. She says it’s ok for him to stay out of her way, letting her explode if necessary. She alerts him to not even attempt to help her with pills or therapy.
The chorus is sung again.
In the second chorus, she adds she’s didn’t feel any emotion for a long time. She’s grateful to go through every bit of anger and hurt. It makes her feel like a person again. He knows her well enough to realize how important feeling is to her.
Submissive “oh-oh’s” and easygoing guitars close the single.
After suffering from clinical depression for years, it’s as though she’s come out from the fog. Emotions now curdle and throb inside her, clamoring to get out. The coldness that froze her has thawed some. Feeling something, even if it’s negative and self-destructive is a blessing. For her, it’s better than feeling nothing at all.
Brooks’ snippy, rigid vocals are distant and narcissitic. She only cares about her side of things. If someone gets hurt as a result of a nonsensical ranting, it’s their fault. They know how she is. She doesn’t want to accept any responsibility for her childish behavior. In fact, she’s proud of herself for it. However, the attempts to be provocative fall short (saying bitch isn’t that shocking after it’s heard on television multiple times).
The compliant arrangement constricts itself into something insignificant and truckles to her every unreasonable order.
The reprehensible “Bitch” shameless rudeness makes it an unpleasant listen.
Album: Blurring the Edges
Year: 1997
Meredith Brooks thinks her unpredicatable mood swings are cute in the presumptuous “Bitch.”
Strutting percussion and patronizing guitars open the single, setting a curt tone. In the first verse, she says she’s angry at everyone right now. People are just pissing her off. She tells her boyfriend he’s sweet to put up with her. He’s set her aside and shown her news stories that disprove her cynical theories. However, she says no amount of talking will change her perception. He believes she’s not as tough as she seems. She reveals to him that she weeped during a movie they watched together. She tells him he should be pleased with her. Her boyfriend tells her he can’t figure her out. She says she rather not be stuck on cheerful all the time like some damn robot. She likes being a kaleidoscope of emotions. It makes life interesting for everyone else.
I hate the world today/You're so good to me/I know but I can't change/Tried to tell you/But you look at me like maybe/I'm an angel underneath/Innocent and sweet/Yesterday I cried/
Must have been relieved to see/The softer side/I can understand how you'd be so confused/I don't envy you/I'm a little bit of everything/All rolled into one.”
In the chorus, she says she can be mean, tender, immature, maternal, diabolical and holy. She doesn’t care if she unnerves people. She says she can be throwing tantrums for no apparent reason one day and then snuggling next to her boyfriend for comfort the next. There’s no middle ground. It’s a quality he likes about her otherwise he would’ve gone a long time ago.
“I'm a bitch, I'm a lover/I'm a child, I'm a mother/I'm a sinner, I'm a saint/I do not feel ashamed/I'm your hell, I'm your dream/I'm nothing in between/You know you wouldn't want it any other way.”
In the second verse, she says her boyfriend has no choice but to accept her the way she is. She’s set in her ways. She tells him it will mean growing some thick skin. She warns that when she’s screaming or banging the doors, it’s short-lived. It won’t even matter the next day. She’ll be in another mood.
“So take me as I am/This may mean/You'll have to be a stronger man/Rest assured that/When I start to make you nervous/And I'm going to extremes/Tomorrow I will change/And today won't mean a thing.”
The chorus is sung again.
A passive guitar solo follows.
In the bridge, she says once he thinks he knows her, she will pull the chain, letting loose another twist that will puzzle him. She says it’s ok for him to stay out of her way, letting her explode if necessary. She alerts him to not even attempt to help her with pills or therapy.
“Just when you think, you got me figured out/The season's already changing/I think it's cool, you do what you do/And don't try to save me.”
The chorus is sung again.
In the second chorus, she adds she’s didn’t feel any emotion for a long time. She’s grateful to go through every bit of anger and hurt. It makes her feel like a person again. He knows her well enough to realize how important feeling is to her.
“I'm a bitch, I'm a tease/I'm a goddess on my knees/When you hurt, when you suffer/I'm your angel undercover/I've been numb, I'm revived/Can't say I'm not alive/You know I wouldn't want it any other way.”
Submissive “oh-oh’s” and easygoing guitars close the single.
After suffering from clinical depression for years, it’s as though she’s come out from the fog. Emotions now curdle and throb inside her, clamoring to get out. The coldness that froze her has thawed some. Feeling something, even if it’s negative and self-destructive is a blessing. For her, it’s better than feeling nothing at all.
Brooks’ snippy, rigid vocals are distant and narcissitic. She only cares about her side of things. If someone gets hurt as a result of a nonsensical ranting, it’s their fault. They know how she is. She doesn’t want to accept any responsibility for her childish behavior. In fact, she’s proud of herself for it. However, the attempts to be provocative fall short (saying bitch isn’t that shocking after it’s heard on television multiple times).
The compliant arrangement constricts itself into something insignificant and truckles to her every unreasonable order.
The reprehensible “Bitch” shameless rudeness makes it an unpleasant listen.
