The Body-Positive, Feminist Version of ‘All About That Bass’
YouTube is laden with pop-hit covers, but 20-year-old Natty Valencia’s is a bit different. The singer-songwriter from Edmonton, Alta. made her own “unplugged” version of Meghan Trainor’s catchy tune, “All About That Bass,” to address a not-so-talked-about topic: girls who are naturally thin.
“I think the intent behind the song was really noble because there is a lot of fat shaming that goes on,” Valencia says in the video. “But what’s been missed is that it’s body shaming in general. Including skinny shaming. Just because I don’t have these beautiful curves, doesn’t mean that I’m any less of a human being.”
In Trainor’s booty anthem, she addresses “skinny bitches,” but quickly retracts her statement with “I’m just playing.” And she sings about a derriere that’s big enough for someone “to hold at night.” While it’s great that the original doo-wop song celebrates full-figured woman, Valencia’s version not only addresses those who are naturally thin, but it also recognizes the beauty of all bodies, no matter the size. And so she sings:
Yeah it’s pretty clear / I am a size two / But I can shake it, shake it/ Girl you can too / Let’s make some room, room for kindness in this place / ‘Cause real beauty is something you cannot replace.
Megan Trainor’s tune has held the No. 1 spot for four consecutive weeks on the Official Singles Chart. Perhaps Valencia’s ode to women of all shapes and sizes will bump Trainor out of her No. 1 slot?
