We Can't Stop vs. Habits (Stay High)

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If you're not planning to change, why not redefine one's compulsions as free choices, or even assertions of autonomy in the face of a hostile culture? Is honesty a virtue if it leads to wallowing? And who's really lying to herself anyway? Tove Lo seems to disavow her lifestyle by chalking it up to grief. I'm not saying her actions aren't escapist, but isn't there a sense in which visiting sex clubs, or seducing fathers at the playground is fun? In her rush to define the emotional pain that lies behind her "habits," does tove lo fail to register the texture of her experiences? On the surface, Miley might seem incoherent, but isn't the paradoxical logic of her song -- we can't stop asserting our freedom, even if we wanted to -- actually pretty interesting?

Poll Results

OptionVotes
Tove Lo - Habits (Stay High) (2014) 13
Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop (2013) 6


Treeship, Friday, 5 September 2014 04:09 (ten years ago)

I don't know what that was all about, but I will say this, "We Can't Stop" is awful

nova, Friday, 5 September 2014 04:11 (ten years ago)

If you're not planning to change, why not redefine one's compulsions as free choices, or even assertions of autonomy in the face of a hostile culture?

Because you're lying to yourself if you do.

Is honesty a virtue if it leads to wallowing?

No.

And who's really lying to herself anyway?

Both of them.

sn't there a sense in which visiting sex clubs, or seducing fathers at the playground is fun?

Not if you are compelled to do so, which implies involuntary coercion.

In her rush to define the emotional pain that lies behind her "habits," does tove lo fail to register the texture of her experiences?

No.

On the surface, Miley might seem incoherent, but isn't the paradoxical logic of her song -- we can't stop asserting our freedom, even if we wanted to -- actually pretty interesting?

Maybe in a better song.

stacked as fuck & imposing (DJP), Friday, 5 September 2014 04:12 (ten years ago)

reading too much into bullshit teen pop that's that shit I don't like

nova, Friday, 5 September 2014 05:07 (ten years ago)

OK harsh except not

nova, Friday, 5 September 2014 05:07 (ten years ago)

so I never heard this second one before and I guess there's some faded appeal but yeahhhh idk

nova, Friday, 5 September 2014 05:09 (ten years ago)

the remix is better

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYM-RJwSGQ8

the tune was space, Friday, 5 September 2014 05:13 (ten years ago)

the remix doesn't have the verses, which are the best part.

Treeship, Friday, 5 September 2014 12:21 (ten years ago)

also i'm not sure what "reading too much" means here. i'm not finding illuminati symbols in these songs or something, i'm just discussing the ways in which they approach their subject matter

Treeship, Friday, 5 September 2014 12:23 (ten years ago)

remix is terrible and tove lo isn't teenpop (?)

i'm surprised "habits" has actually made it as far as it has in the us market, pretty pleased tho, it's a good song

dyl, Friday, 5 September 2014 15:33 (ten years ago)

two weeks pass...

"Habits" is better. I should point out that technically it's also from 2013 and it even came out before "We Can't Stop". I like that first version (and video) better.

daavid, Monday, 22 September 2014 06:08 (ten years ago)

Vermillion vs Habits would be more apt.

Moka, Monday, 22 September 2014 09:06 (ten years ago)

i love "Habits (Stay High), so that.

Bee OK, Tuesday, 23 September 2014 02:50 (ten years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

System, Tuesday, 30 September 2014 00:01 (ten years ago)

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

System, Wednesday, 1 October 2014 00:01 (ten years ago)

four months pass...

classic poll

Treeship, Wednesday, 11 February 2015 03:58 (ten years ago)


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