Should We Let Bo Burnham Burn Em?
Image of Bo Burnham in his early YouTube days
Bo Bunham stands rather awkwardly amongst two women in bikini tops
Aside from the pop music world in general, Burnham also targets the rap industry. Through his use of images relating to the rap genre and his use of lyrics pertaining specific individuals, Burnham satirizes the rap industry. This is first seen by his lyrics “I’m a feminine Eminem, a slim shady lady” in which he is referencing popular rapper Eminem, to which he cleverly implements images such as an 8 mile road and copies Eminem’s demeanor. Burnham further represents his depiction of the modern rap game through his use of common tropes in the industry. For example, he talks about how long he has been in the industry, which is common among rappers, and uses images of dinosaurs and old video games such as space invaders to prove his point. In addition to this, he refers to “puffin wacky tobacky,” having sex on multiple occasions, and uses degrading terminology such as “bitches and hoes” to satirize the rap industry in America. Furthermore, Burnham shows how the rap industry has a significant impact on how people are perceived in America through their lyrics. By making fun of this depiction, he allows the listener to see how poorly certain individuals are portrayed in the media, and how these individuals are targeted and affected.
(above) A man being obnoxiously patriotic on live television
(below) What some people believe America looks like today
Bo Burnham’s “Words Words Words” also successfully incorporates the use of Bang’s principles. The previously mentioned image of the Mexican man in front of a changing background incorporates several of Bang’s principles, including “The center of the page is the most effective ‘center of attention’”(Bang 234) and when the article mentions vertical lines it says “These structures require a great deal of energy to build-to become vertical” (Bang 229). Using these principles we can conclude that the argument being made by this image is that while it requires more energy to reject the Mexican culture, America laboriously attempts to paint their culture as villainous and remains unaccepting of our southern neighbors. Furthermore, the principle regarding the image at the center of the page is heavily used throughout, such as the depiction of Uncle Sam, Burnham’s performance upon a stage, and the flags and colors used within the video.
Image of the Mexican/American border
Finally, Burnham switches to not just depicting the struggle of Mexicans in America, but to those of differing sexual orientations and race through the line “South of queers, north of hell. The queer ones suck and the brown ones smell.” During this point in the video, Burnham is depicted riding in a rainbow balloon while a world of fire reaches up to him. Here, Burnham is expressing that all those who do not conform to the “normal” American view are demonized and oppressed by American culture. This also shows how difficult the fight for equality is in America, showing that the fight is incredibly difficult, but there is hope, as the balloon has not been engulfed by the flames yet.
Bo Burnham speaking about how this essay was indeed an interesting story
Bo Burnham uses specific imagery and lyrics to satirize the American media industry. To do so, Burnham relies heavily on the use of images, which Zemliansky says “profoundly influence our lives” (211). Burnham starts his video in the setting he starts most of his videos, which is his bedroom. This appeals to his large YouTube fan base immediately, due to the familiar atmosphere and regular appearance of the video. However, the video unexpectedly changes when he states that he is “selling out.” This unexpected change creates a sense of unfamiliarity, and draws the audience in as they are surprised by the new situation in which they have been presented. In this instance, Burnham is referencing the change that artists undergo when becoming famous in the music industry, which he is claiming he is guilty of as well. By “selling out” he shows that he is conforming to what his audience desires, and uses “Words Words Words” as a satirical example of what songs in popular culture have become. Another example of satire in “Words Words Words” is seen through the chorus in the song which says “I hate catchy choruses and I’m a hypocrite. Hungry, hungry hypocrite.” This verse not only states the obvious, that he is being a hypocritical of the industry in this song, but is also a popular cultural reference. During one of the instances that the chorus is sung, Burnham is depicted as a long haired majestic man with a unicorn, and during the next time it is sung Burnham is depicted in a boy band on a stage with a cheering crowd in front of him. Both these scenes appeal to the way the audience views Burnham. Both these images make Burnham more attractive to his audience, thus causing his audience to be attracted to him or envy his beauty or position. This attraction in turn shows how popular icons sexualize themselves or create a more attractive image of themselves in order to remain popular.
Popular rappers (from top left across) Nikki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar, (from mid left) Fetty Wap, Snoop Dogg, Drake, (from bottom left) Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West
Burnham also manages to critique American culture as a whole through his use of images and lyrics. This common theme in “Words Words Words” is clearly stated in Sturken and Cartwright’s article “To explore the meaning of images is to recognize that they are produced within dynamics of social power and ideology” (245). Burnham’s images and lyrics focus on major issues in American culture, such as immigration, attitudes toward minorities, as well as satirizes what it means to be an American. The video overwhelms the viewer with patriotism and images representing America as a whole. There are several instances where national parks are shown, such as mountain ranges, deserts, and Mt. Rushmore. These images are all placed at strategic times where Burnham is critiquing some aspect of American culture. During other instances where he is critiquing American culture, there are other images representing America, such as an American flag. One such occasion is where Burnham says “We the people of the USA, Jose we’re not talking to you esé. We’ve got a border in order to keep you out” the viewer is completely overwhelmed with the red white and blue. Several obese Americans are depicted during this verse, all consuming some form of fattening food and wearing red white and blue, while standing alongside a single Mexican man wearing traditional clothing. In the background of the image there skyscrapers, national monuments, flags flying, big trucks being driven, and even a red white and blue sprinkled doughnut. The image then changes to just the Mexican man being put behind red bars, which then reveal themselves to be the American flag. This image shows the stigma and prejudice against immigrants in this country and how we sit by as idle consumers adding to the problem as opposed to being accepting of other cultures. Not only does it depict our lack of acceptance, but it also depicts how we shun acceptance and attempt to remove people of other cultures.
Cover of Molly Bang's Picture This How Pictures Work
Burnham further shows America’s lack of acceptance through images and lyrics pertaining to minorities in America. Going more in depth on his previous point that American culture villainizes and rejects Mexicans, Burnham says “We guard the border and we guard it well, but some slipped through the cracks in the liberty bell. Did I say liberty? I meant taco.” This shows that while we reject true Mexican culture in America so violently, as seen by the image of a wall in the video as well as reference to the wall along the border in reality, we are fine with what we perceive to be their culture. We don’t want Mexicans to coincide with Americans, but we are fine with exploiting their culture in a faux Mexican cuisine fast food chain, while simultaneously vehemently rejecting the idea that Mexicans can have rights in America.
The American flag alongside the gay pride flag
Overall, Burnham manages to successfully satirize the American music industry and American culture in “Words Words Words” through his use of clever lyrics, images, and delivery. This is made evident by Bang’s principles regarding the center of the page and vertical lines, the Sturket and Cartwright article, as well as the Zemliansky article. Burnham specifically attacks the rap industry, while also attacking the media industry as a whole through satirizing common tropes and actions of the media. Furthermore, Burnham brings awareness to societal issues in “Words Words Words” such as racism, prejudice, and an inherently unhealthy American culture through his lyrics and images. Overall, Burnham shows many obstacles that we must overcome as a society and it leaves us asking ourselves how we plan to do so. Should we leave these obstacles standing, or should we just let Bo Burnham burn em?
Bo Burnham is a popular comedian, specializing in musical comedy. He began his rise to prominence through YouTube and gained a large fan base. This allowed him to eventually become sponsored by Comedy Central, which further exposed him to a wider audience. His comedy always has an underlying theme, generally about a topic pertinent to popular culture at the time. In “Words Words Words” Bo Burnham satirizes the American media industry and critiques America through his use of clever lyrics and compelling images and delivery.
