Adam Lambert on the 2009 AMAs
If you haven't had the opportunity to check it out, the bottom line is that he performed a gratuitous crotch-rub into some leather-clad male dancer's face to imitate a blowjob and proceeded to try to one-up Madonna and Britney in the tongue-lashing department.
Shocking? Sure...
Now, I've now read both sides of the issue.
The conservative right are out trashing him.
The gay pride nazis are holding up their phallic salute and praising his resolve and openness.
Adam Lambert on the 2009 AMAs
So... where does it fall in the 'fly-over' zone in middle America?
Let me put it like this...
Most of the audience for his music is constituted of kids that can't afford to buy it for themselves. Yeah, that's right. They need mom and dad's iTunes login or their credit card or their weekly allowance munificence to afford his lewd and lascivious lyrical stylings.
Make no mistake... His lyrics are in-your-face ... flaunting his sexuality ... almost as a platform.
"For Your Entertainment" has a sadistic sexual undertone and the fact that he stated on his CBS interview this morning that his performance was really just meant to "...interpret the lyrics to my song and have a good time up there" just shows that this guy doesn't deserve the platform that he's been given.
He went on to say: "I believe there's a double standard. I believe that if it had been a female pop performer doing the moves that were on the stage, I don't think there'd be nearly as much of an outrage at all."
So now he wants to compare himself to Madonna? He's not saying it EXACTLY, but he flaunts his homo-erotica in primetime and just expect us all to ... wait for it... swallow it?
I think not.
Let's look at the actual lyrics in the context of that performance (I didn't transcribe, but found them online, so I'm not taking any shit for them being off...):
So hot
Out the box
Can we pick up the pace?
Turn it up,
Heat it up
I need to be entertained
Push the limit
Are you with it?
Baby, don't be afraid
I'ma hurt 'ya real good, baby
Let's go
It's my show
Baby, do what I say
Don't trip off the glitz
That I'm gonna display
I told ya
I'ma hold ya down until you're amazed
Give it to ya 'til your screaming my name
No escaping when I start
Once I'm in I own your heart
There's no way you'll ring the alarm
So hold on until it's over
Oh, do you know what you got into?
Can you handle what I'm 'bout to do?
'Cause it's about to get rough for you
I'm here for your entertainment
Oh, I bet you thought that I was soft and sweet
'Ya fallen angel swept ya off ya feet
Well I'm about to turn up the heat
I'm here for your entertainment
It's alright
You'll be fine
Baby, I'm in control
Take the pain
Take the pleasure
I'm the master of both
Close your eyes
Not your mind
Let me into your soul
I'ma work ya 'til your totally blown
No escaping when I start
Once I'm in I own your heart
There's no way 'ta ring the alarm
So hold on until it's over
Oh, do you know what you got into?
Can you handle what I'm 'bout to do?
'Cause it's about to get rough for you
I'm here for your entertainment
Oh, I bet you thought that I was soft and sweet
'Ya fallen angel swept ya off your feet
Well I'm about to turn up the heat
I'm here for your entertainment
Oh oh mmmm
Entertainment
Oh oh..Oh entertainment
I'm here for your entertainment
Oooohhh..
Do you like what you see?
Wooooaaaahhhh
Let me entertain ya 'till you screeaaam
Oh, do you know what you got into?
Can you handle what I'm 'bout to do?
'Cause it's about to get rough for you
I'm here for your entertainment
Oh, I bet you thought that I was soft and sweet (bet ya thought)
'Ya fallen angel swept ya off your feet
Well I'm about to turn up the heat (turn up the heat)
I'm here for your entertainment
Out the box
Can we pick up the pace?
Turn it up,
Heat it up
I need to be entertained
Push the limit
Are you with it?
Baby, don't be afraid
I'ma hurt 'ya real good, baby
Let's go
It's my show
Baby, do what I say
Don't trip off the glitz
That I'm gonna display
I told ya
I'ma hold ya down until you're amazed
Give it to ya 'til your screaming my name
No escaping when I start
Once I'm in I own your heart
There's no way you'll ring the alarm
So hold on until it's over
Oh, do you know what you got into?
Can you handle what I'm 'bout to do?
'Cause it's about to get rough for you
I'm here for your entertainment
Oh, I bet you thought that I was soft and sweet
'Ya fallen angel swept ya off ya feet
Well I'm about to turn up the heat
I'm here for your entertainment
It's alright
You'll be fine
Baby, I'm in control
Take the pain
Take the pleasure
I'm the master of both
Close your eyes
Not your mind
Let me into your soul
I'ma work ya 'til your totally blown
No escaping when I start
Once I'm in I own your heart
There's no way 'ta ring the alarm
So hold on until it's over
Oh, do you know what you got into?
Can you handle what I'm 'bout to do?
'Cause it's about to get rough for you
I'm here for your entertainment
Oh, I bet you thought that I was soft and sweet
'Ya fallen angel swept ya off your feet
Well I'm about to turn up the heat
I'm here for your entertainment
Oh oh mmmm
Entertainment
Oh oh..Oh entertainment
I'm here for your entertainment
Oooohhh..
Do you like what you see?
Wooooaaaahhhh
Let me entertain ya 'till you screeaaam
Oh, do you know what you got into?
Can you handle what I'm 'bout to do?
'Cause it's about to get rough for you
I'm here for your entertainment
Oh, I bet you thought that I was soft and sweet (bet ya thought)
'Ya fallen angel swept ya off your feet
Well I'm about to turn up the heat (turn up the heat)
I'm here for your entertainment
Look... make no mistake. I don't care if you like to flaunt your sausage from behind a hairy ass or if you prefer a well-fit hetero pairing or if you're both sporting furry beaver trying furiously to link up that lady-business.
What you do in the privacy of your own bedroom is up to you...as long as it doesn't involve dead bodies, animals or children, knock yourselves the f*ck out. But I don't want to see you in assless leather chaps marching in a parade to prove you have 'pride'. I don't want to see you removing your girlfriend's tonsils with your tongue. I don't want to see you bangin' at the goddamn public park.
Keep your f*cking (how EVER you do it) to your f*cking self!
When you bring your shit on the tube in front of my kids (gay, straight, or otherwise), with NO goddamn warning and no option for me to dodge it... in primetime... in a family variety show... that, buddy, is pushing it too far. You didn't give me the option to know about it in advance and decide if I should let the family watch it. You didn't provide any other option than to FORCE millions of Americans to explain to their children of all ages why that crazy screaming wraith grinding around on the stage is rubbing his penis in some guy's face or why he just tongue kissed that Flock of Seagulls-esque backup dancer.
Adam Lambert on the 2009 AMAs
That was not the kind of controversy you needed. That was a CLM (a 'career-limiting-move') and no amount of on-air half-ass dodging and parrying will get all those parents that can (and do) veto music purchases back in your camp.
At least Madonna didn't go bat-shit until her fans were old enough to choose (and pay for) their own music.
When Janet's scandalous tit was ripped free by Mr. Timberlake in front of millions, she at least had a plausible exit-spin.
Just to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, though, I tuned in to CBS this morning (ok...admittedly, it was on accident) and lingered to listen to what he had to say... I also watched him perform a couple more songs from his new album. None of it was any better. Despite his big-talk and nods to creative endeavors, collaboration and accomplishment, this album appears to be nothing more than a gay pride joyride.
Lambert, you're an asshole. I've got to imagine you just set back, by at least half a decade, what was previously the slowly improving status and perception of the gay population in America.
Too bad for all the collaborators on the album. You've all just been Adam's bitch for an agenda...posing as an album.
Adam told Access Hollywood, right after the show: "You know, honestly, if I offended some people, you know, its apples and oranges. I'm not an artist that does things for every single person. I believe in artistic freedom and expression. I believe in honoring the lyrics of a song, and those lyrics aren't really for everybody either."
"If it's edited, that's discrimination," he continued. "I will be disappointed because there is a little bit of discrimination going on in this country. There's a big double standard. Female pop artists have been doing things provocative like that for years and the fact that I'm a male and I'll be edited and discriminated against could be a problem."
No, Lambert... YOU'RE the problem.
Comments (23)
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Rock
"If it's edited, that's discrimination," he continued. "I will be disappointed because there is a little bit of discrimination going on in this country. There's a big double standard. Female pop artists have been doing things provocative like that for years and the fact that I'm a male and I'll be edited and discriminated against could be a problem."
he is quite right about that have seen more scandalous stuff from a Britney or madonna concert and ive seen kids has young has 6 to 7 year old a britney concert , never eard anyone made a fuss about
people kinda forget that his fan base is probably made off women and homosexual ( of age or not ) so who cares how he choreograph his shows.
I could destroy this article entirely but will restrain myself , one of the worst article i have ever read .If your son wants you to download one of his songs , i would have a strong talk with him not because Adam Lambert is not appropriate and familly oriented but probably because he has a improtant announcment to make
2 years agoby @elrochoFlag
justincase
All in all, he'll no-doubt sell lots of records. From emails I've received and people I've spoken with (small sample, I know), parents won't be dishing out dough for their tweens and younger. Bottom line is that THOSE are sales he could have had that he won't now.
2 years agoby @justincaseFlag
CelluloidDreams
Lambert's 14-song album is also in the top 10 of Amazon.com music purchases as the ninth most purchased album.
2 years agoby @2movieguysFlag
CelluloidDreams
Altogether, the video ...is a tribute to "Glam/Theatrical" Rock from the 1970's...Bowie...Queen...Etc....!!!!
BRAVO ADAM!!! GODSPEED!
.....Also, it appears as if Lambert's disc will rank second by selling 210,000-230,000 copies in its first week of release.
2 years agoby @2movieguysFlag
CelluloidDreams
LOL....What BS....double standards...if U watch the clip ...Um Adam also rubs a girls vagina. ....
This could mean he is Uh "BISEXUAL"????.....Get over it America it's a new era!!!!!
2 years agoby @2movieguysFlag
XSSIV
LOL...
Check this out on ABC, MTV and Lambert and their 'position'
http://townhall.com/columnists/BrentBozell/2009/11/27/ridiculous_idol_excuses?page=full&comments=true
2 years agoby @xssivFlag
XSSIV
YEAH! I, for one, would MUCH rather see women kissing eachother than mr-glam-gay-rock!
Bring on the chicks!
2 years agoby @xssivFlag
T.Clark
YOU seem to be missing the point: he watched that performance for 3 and half minutes with his children and at no point did he think to turn the channel until after it was over and he realized he could write an article about it.
1) Public display of porn? It's not like he whipped his dong out and had butt sex with one of his back up dancers. Would you be saying this if it were a straight woman?
2)What Lambert does with his music is his choice. If he wants to be an egotistical prick, let him. It will only mean he'll lose his fan following, but something tells me he doesn't care because he'll gain a whole slew of new fans with this performance.
3)If he just changed the channel he wouldn't have to worry about it. If he just put his kids to bed instead of having them up late at night to watch an awards show that no one cares about, he wouldn't have to worry about it. If he wasn't a hypocritical, selfish father, he wouldn't have to worry about it. The cons outweigh the pros with this one.
4)ALL blacks, ALL Muslims, ALL woman...we're not talking about ALL gays, we're talking about ONE self centered gay musician, and if that is enough to change a person's perspective of gay people, then that just means they are very misinformed and naive.
2 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
justincase
Alas... The point is missed.
The point is:
1) Regardless of your sexuality... keep it to yourself. Whether you're on TV or in the park, there are a lot of 'unintended observers' that don't need to see your blatant public display of pornography;
2) Lambert, who was built on, for and by the tweenie-boppers on Idol owes SOMETHING (other than a big ol' penis-slap-in-the-face) to his fans (at least at the 'coming' of his FIRST album post Idol);
3) Not saying that my kids or any others WERE (in fact) traumatized (although I'm sure that's what the conservative right alleges in their lawsuits recently filed against ABC), but the point is that on free, over-the-air, broadcast TV ... you shouldn't have to be prepared to discuss ALL the topics of sexuality with your kids because Lambert (or anyone else) thinks you should be forced to for their own egocentric gratification;
4) Gay people (regardless of their equipment) who traffic in SHOCK instead of just showing all the paranoid heteros out there that they are just like everyone else, excepting their differing take on 'personal recreation' and 'emotion', are the ones that set back the gay movement. If every woman on the planet were femi-nazis, women would be nowhere near as far along as they are... if all African Americans were black panthers, racial equality would be far less advanced... if all Muslims were fundamentalist terror-mongers... well, you get the idea.
Glad to see there are a few people, though, who will voice their thoughts on the topic...
2 years agoby @justincaseFlag
T.Clark
......why the f*ck is anybody watching the AMAs?
btw, inserting a star where the "u" is supposed to be in "f*ck" doesn't make it any better. It's like watching Kat Williams. His entire performance is "BLEEP!" so by the 20th curse word you just kinda want them to stop censoring it. Why? Because you know what he's saying.
I doubt your kids were that traumatized by the experience, but word to the wise: as soon as you saw a shirtless guy in black leather getting walked like a dog, THAT'S your cue to switch the channel. You would have missed all the gratuitous "sh*t." I'm guessing you sat there with your children in awkward silence fully knowing you should switch the channel, but wanted to watch it for something to write about. It's a 3 and half minute performance. At no time did you think "oh gee, I better switch the channel." That's why people like YOU are the problem, buddy.
Hell, maybe you did switch the channel and are making all this sh*t up. Call me paranoid, but if that's the case, then you're no different than what you claim Lambert is doing: trying to get a reaction. Besides, all this means nothing when you look at the facts: Lambert's performance wasn't anything that will scar your children, especially if you're brave enough to talk to your kids about homosexuality instead of turning to an online blog to voice your "concerns."
One last thing: This sentence..."I've got to imagine you just set back, by at least half a decade, what was previously the slowly improving status and perception of the gay population in America"...was probably the only half way intelligent comment in the entire article. It almost made me rethink my stance, but then I got thinking even more...one gay performer doing controversial things on stage isn't going to change anyone's perception of the ENTIRE gay population, and if it does, they are very naive.
2 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
reelmein
i guess any one can wite a story Topic on here
yes what Adam migth been over the top but like Adam says it is a Double Standard. "Family Variety Show" this was on ABC not ABC Family and it is a Music Awards Show ...
2 years agoby @reelmeinFlag
AnnoyingFilmCritic
First, I love the anti-Lambert slant on this article, as if it's presentation is the last word on this topic...and since when is the AMAs a "family variety show?"
I didn't care for the overthetop gay displays, but, realized its function was for publicity buzz...and everyone will keep talking about this for a while...its uncouth shrewd marketing - something Madonna (and many others) have been doing for years.
And there is a tremendous double standard like he said on CBS's GMA morning show, the responsibility lies with the parents to know better than to let kids/preteens watch the AMAs..other artists like Eminem was boasting about having 17 rapes, murders under his belt during his performance, Lady GaGa smashing her whiskey bottle/ass falling out of her costume & scads of scantily clad dancers dancing suggestively with many other performers...the AMAs aren't for kids.
2 years agoby @annoyingfilmcriticFlag
CelluloidDreams
Bravo Adam Lambert!! Love his CD and his performance was great!!!
I 100% agree W./Adam Lambert ....and well Justin Case sounds like a Homophobic!!!
I watched the performnce & was blown away.... I agree W./Adam ...There's a big double standard!!!
2 years agoby @2movieguysFlag
PeaceA
You are quite the role model for your children, aren't you? With your leud public display of opinion, I would think you would have enjoyed Adam's AMA performance. You might have had a point, but your presentation belies the point you are trying to make. You are self-righteous and perpetrate decency. Just look at your own verbiage and expression. You are in no position to make such judgement, other than to have lived it, perhaps. Nope, you are not credible. I suspect, given time, you'll be outed just like the governor of New York. Nope, you are not to be trusted. See right through you, my friend.
2 years agoby @peaceaFlag
Remy72883
you know with all the PR behind this his sales are gonna increase, sad but true
2 years agoby @remy72883Flag
lillysue
Well said. Totally agree. People have certain expectations when they watch television and they don't like it when they're surprised. It was the AMAs on Disney-owned ABC, not the MTV awards. I can't believe people are blaming parents for letting their children watch. Sorry - they didn't get the memo that there was going to be simulated oral sex. Lambert rose to fame on American Idol - a very family-friendly show - and I'm sure most of his fans weren't expecting that kind of crude and sexually explicit behavior.(shipjacked3: when did the AMAs become "notoriously risque"? And BTW, it was only 10 PM in the Central Time Zone - not unreasonably late for pre-teens and teens).
It's not just about children anyway. I watch programs like the AMAs because I enjoy live musical performances. I'm not looking for in-your-face crude expressions of sexuality meant to shock and create controversy. Not from anyone - not just Lambert. Performers should respect their audiences and learn when and where to push the boundaries. And no - I'm not a prude. I'm a lefty liberal atheist child of the 60's and I've seen many boundaries pushed in my lifetime.
That performance didn't make Lambert a pioneer for gay rights. Calling him that is an insult to the true pioneers who have gone before him. He was nothing more than a wannabe rock star behaving badly.
2 years agoby @lillysueFlag
GK
Oh boy the gay one *sigh*
2 years agoby @indianajonesFlag
Brian
I actually agree with Shipjacked a little though...
2 years agoby @brianFlag
Brian
Seriously, why did anyone watch Lambert ever?
2 years agoby @brianFlag
justincase
LOL - no one argued that Britney is a complete mess.
2 years agoby @justincaseFlag
XSSIV
What about Brit? "If You Seek Amy"? F-U-C-K Me? Broadcast censors? Huh? That song didn't make ANY kind of sense after they hacked it for the 'edit'. They all do it.
2 years agoby @xssivFlag
justincase
Sure... ABC wanted shock value. Well, they got it!
I notice you don't touch the larger point, which is the fact that this guy (largely built BY American Idol on the good graces of hordes of screaming tween-agers) flaunts his 'position' in all his lyrics in an unsually sadistic way.
Sure, I let my kids listen to the 'explicit' version of Addicted as well as a variety of relative lewdness from a variety of other artists. Would have VERY likely let them listen to his music, too, until you pair that performance whith the lyrics from the only 3 songs off his debut that I've heard him perform in the last few days.
This guy isn't just performing and making music and letting his sexuality be a "fact". It's the WHOLE SHOW, baby!
THAT is the point.
2 years agoby @justincaseFlag
shipjacked3
Parents like you amaze me. Don't you monitor what your children watch? Or do you expect the networks to run PG programming at 11pm in the unlikely event that some idiot is stupid enough to let their children watch a notoriously risque awards show? If sexual orientation is as irrelevant as you say, you'd KNOW not to let your children watch this show, period. The AMAs and Grammys are full of hip-hop performances with scantily-clad women bumping and grinding. They're full of kissing. They're full of sexually explicit lyrics. In fact, the only two aspects of Adam's performance that weren't fully approved by ABC were the crotch-to-mouth move and the kiss. The rest of it - the leashes, the lyrics, the erotic movements - were completely approved. Why? Because it's a PRIME-TIME PERFORMANCE, intended for people mature enough to handle it. If you allow your children to watch these programs without previewing them first, YOU are the problem. Learn how to look out for your own kids like the rest of us do.
2 years agoby @shipjacked3Flag