Although not the first punk girl to make her way into the spotlight of the music industry, Pink (also known as P!nk, and born Alecia Moore) would be that figure of the 2000s , or noughties. Hailing out of Pennsylvania, she would burst onto the scene with her 2000 debut album Can’t Take Me Home with singles There You Go, Most Girls, and You Make Me Sick, which are still available today as free music downloads.
Her in-your-face lyrics and punk style was instantly a hit and brought a new edge to the typical pop icon. In an interview on musicOMH she stated that when she was younger, rebellion was in her nature, claiming:
“I was an idiot. I still am, kind of. Someone said I’m a magnet for that shit. Whatever. I just like to have fun. Fuck rules.”
Claiming she was brought up in a house with a tough dad and rarely any female companions, she gives her tough upbringing credit for making her who she is today:
“I think it definitely has a lot to do with that. I was always the only girl, usually looked at as one of the guys, raised by a man who is a complete fighter. I’m not just a bullshit artist. I’m not here to impress people. I’m here to make a difference.”
Her song titled Just Like a Pill, off her 2001 album Missundaztood, shined a light on a dark side of Pink, darker than just being a hard-edged rocker or punk. Her song Trouble, off the 2003 album Try This, was more of the same, hinting at a story line of illegal activities and fighting. Off her 2006 album titled I’m Not Dead, her song Dear Mr. President is a perfect example of her rebellious nature (and I respect her 110% for putting it out there, and even performing it live). It is an honest questioning of why President Bush had failed so badly as leader of the American people, directed to personally to him. Not many artists would refuse to sugar coat lyrics of a protest song.
Watch the video Pink performing the song Dear Mr President live:
And let’s not forget that she’s not afraid to admit being too drunk to give an acceptance speech, as did happen at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards, where she won for Best Dance Video and Best Female Video for her party anthem track, Get This Party Started. Of recent news of her portraying the life of Janis Joplin in an upcoming film, Pink says she’s qualified because she doesn’t really have to act.
“I don’t know how to depict it, I relate to her a lot and I know a lot about her life. She was a white girl singin’ the blues and so was I, and it wasn’t widely accepted. I hide my pain, that’s why I’m always laughing, and she was kind of like that. She was very funny ‘cos she was in a lot of pain.”
Pink is in no way shape or form your typical girl, and she’s made a permanent mark in the music industry, and more specifically pop culture. She made it clear and known to the public that being different is a good thing, and being true to yourself is even better. Love her or hate her, it’d undeniable that she is an icon and a rebel in every sense of the word.
