Pink got the party started in her righteous, fun-loving “Raise Your Glass” video, but the party’s over, folks — the pop star gets pretty grim in her vid for “F**kin’ Perfect”, a single from her greatest hits collection. The clip starts off like it’s bound to be a new version of Christina Aguilera’s hopeful video for “Beautiful” (Believe in yourself! You are great! You make your own happiness!), but takes a really uncomfortably dark turn when — spoiler alert, though we feel the need to warn you — a girl brutally cuts herself in the bathtub. Vid below.
Pink — “F**kin’ Perfect”
The video focuses on a young girl who feels like an outsider among her peers, who deals with her inner struggle by carving the word “Perfect” into her arm and chopping off her hair.
It’s extremely upsetting to watch — Pink even pauses the music so we can take in the spectacle of blood — and when she somehow is able to turn her grief into art, we guess we’re supposed to feel relieved? And yet the girl, now a woman trapped in a seemingly loveless coupling, looks upon her daughter with a worried expression on her face, as though the same strife is destined to happen to her child.
“F**kin’ Perfect” is a believe-in-yourself, inspiring type of pop song, but this video is just kind of sad.
What do you think? Do you see a glimmer of hope in here? Or is it just a total bummer?
UPDATE: Pink provides a personal letter, explaining the video.
A Personal Note From P!nk:
I’m sure my newest video for “F**kin’ Perfect” will be much like some of my other videos, which basically means I expect it will ruffle some feathers.
My favorite books, art pieces, films, and music, always have something jarring about them. I want art to make me think.
In order to do that, it may piss me off, or make me uncomfortable. That promotes awareness and change, or at least some discussion.
That is my intention.
You can’t move mountains by whispering at them.
Cutting, and suicide, two very different symptoms of the same problem, are gaining on us. (the problem being; alienation and depression. the symptoms; cutting and suicide). I personally don’t know a single person who doesn’t know at least two of these victims personally. A lot of us have seen certain starlets showing off their latest scars on a red carpet somewhere, usually right before they head back to their favorite rehab.
Its a problem, and its something we should talk about.
We can choose to ignore the problem, and therefore ignore this video, but that won’t make it go away.
I don’t support or encourage suicide or cutting.
I support the kids out there that feel so desperate/numb/powerless, that feel unseen and unheard, and can’t see another way.. I want them to know I’m aware. I have been there. I see them.
Sometimes that’s all it takes.
Making this video was a very emotional experience for me, as was writing this song. I have a life inside of me, and I want her or him to know that I will accept him or her with open and loving and welcoming arms. And though I will prepare this little munchkin for a sometimes cruel world, I will also equip this kid to see all the beauty in it as well. There are good people in this world that are open-minded, and loving. There are those that accept us with all of our flaws. I do that with my fans/friends, and I will do that with my child, whoever they decide to be.
If you or someone you know needs help, please visit TWLOHA.
I do think there’s a possitive outcome. I felt that way, after cutting herself and putting up her expo, she found her “man” (for lack of a better word) and now has a daughter. I kinda smiled at the end ha.
Isn’t her man the same man from the very beginning — the one who was having sex with her without even caring if she was enjoying herself, and then rolled over saying nothing? Doesn’t seem like such a great catch to me.
Thats the point though. They did that on purpose, its supposed to make you think shes still messed up and the end it shows that she has overcome everything and she’s with someone that loves her and has a child.
Christina Aguilera started this trend a half decade ago and still to this day is it the most sincere song taking on the issue of imperfection. This sudden surge in the subject now is just completely ridiculous, fake and phony. I really cant stand it they may be catchy but there lacking heart hardcore.
What are you referring to as a trend? Cutting?
How did Christina Aguilera start this?
It took a single declaring se was NOT HERSELF TONIGHT to peple forget what she has done. and yes this video pack of stories of selfacceptance took hype with Christina Aguilera´s Beautiful: Pink makes one similar as well did Katy Perry´s Firework. but YOU know Christina Did It First on POP HITS VIDEOS:
actually leonard Christina Aguilera song “beautiful” which she did with Linda Perry, would never of been done if P!nk hadn’t made her album M!ssundaztood and the song “family portait” hadn’t been made first.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but songs like this can be found way before Christina Aguilera’s ‘Beautiful’ came along… Cyndi Lauper – True Colors is a prime example.
I mean Christina didn’t right Beautiful though. She just sang it, and Pink wrote this song and sang it. And I didn’t forget about Beautiful when she released any of her other songs. I just dislike when people forget who wrote what. It’s simple to sing something, but another to write it.
@Marcus David I totaly agree.
It wanted you to believe that. It was supposed to make you think she didn’t have a happy ending at all, and then the woman looks back at her childhood, remembering the awful times she’d endured. When it ends, you see that she’s found her happy ending.
Apparently, not everyone is listening. This song/video is not about who wrote it or who came out with a similar song first, it isn’t even about a ‘trend’. There is an issue here that needs to be addressed…this issue can take many shapes and voices, but nonetheless the issue is still relevant. And WE ALL need to be aware and hopefully work together to accept and meet the needs of ANYONE needing help. It’s easy to hear a song or watch a video, but what about the life that is hurting…your son or daughter, cousin, niece or nephew, brother or sister…or even you. What then, is it still about who wrote or sang the song first?
i l0v Pink
i like the video! if media stopped sterotyping the “perfect” girl girls wouldnt go through life tryin to fit in! i am far from a supermodel but i feel i am “perfect” and i tell my girls the same despite wat they see and hear! rock on pink!
Christina didn’t start a trend with Beautiful. She sang a song which was written by Linda Perry, whom she wouldn’t have worked with at all if Pink hadn’t done her Missundaztood album. So if you want to talk about someone following suit Christina is your gal.
Anyways, I think this song is beautiful. I enjoyed the video very much, it may have been dark but who said that all music videos need to be fun, happy, light, and bubbly?
I think its realistic. People don’t really see how many people struggle with it. Just because a video is sad doesn’t mean its doesn’t make an impact, I think it makes it that more memorable. This song AND video gave me goosebumps. Why can people make videos about doing drugs but cutting is too far? It’s ridiculous to me to think there is a difference because cutting is some people drug.