Webster’s defines the word “diva” in two ways:
1. The Latin feminine of divus, or god
2. A prima donna
Dictionary.com defines it in the following manner:
1. An operatic prima donna.
2. A very successful singer of nonoperatic music: a jazz diva.
I recently read the lineup for VH1’s “Divas 2004” concert. Here is the lineup, in the order presented by VH1.com: Patti Labelle, Jessica Simpson, Joss Stone, Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Harry, and Gladys Knight.
Read it again. Who doesn’t belong? Let’s start with Patti Labelle (been around since the 60s) and Gladys Knight (recorded the original Heard It Through the Grapevine”), no problems there. With Debbie Harry (was with Blondie) and Cyndi Lauper (was around in the 80s) we get a bit weaker. Had I not recently heard Joss Stone’s new album and thought I could be hearing the future of soul from a 16 year-old, I’d say she raises a red flag, but check out the album and then talk to me. And then we come to Jessica Simpson. Not even a has-been like Lauper, not up-and-coming like Stone, certainly not a legend like Knight or Labelle; this gal is a never-was made famous by marrying another C-rate pop failure and having their lives on the television. Makes you want to scream.
Also
In the Rite Aid pharmacy on Monday, I grabbed some dental floss to keep around the office. At least I thought it was dental floss, the box looked like dental floss, it was right there next to the dental floss, but alas, it was not dental floss. Upon opening the package on Tuesday I discovered that I had not purchased dental floss, but rather, cleverly disguised in a dental floss-like container, I had purchased “Interdental Stimulators.”
That’s right folks, fuckin’ toothpicks…
Posted by cs at April 1, 2004 12:12 PMI've always hated the VH1 "divas" thing because of more or less the same issues.
I quarrel, however, with your dismissal of Lauper and Harry. Cyndi Lauper produced (and continues to produce, her last album was excellent) some really very smart, edgy pop. "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" was a work-for-hire gig that got attention. Debbie Harry would have been bigger than Madonna if she'd not been too smacked up to push her business. For a real insight into the evolution of Punk,Pop and Rap into Hip-Hop, have a listen to "Parallel Lines" and "Autoamerican".
Posted by: Michael at April 1, 2004 12:41 PMI did not mean to dismiss Harry, I think she deserves credit and certainly earned it. Lauper, however, you'd have to make quite a compelling argument to get me to change my mind.
Posted by: chris at April 1, 2004 2:04 PMI'm with Michael. I think Lauper's in. I've always thought she was underrated.
I didn't realize the Pips recorded "Grapevine" before Marvin. I looked it up, and dang if it ain't true. I like both versions, but forced to choose, I think I'd have to come down on the Pip side.
Posted by: Matthew Smith at April 5, 2004 10:49 AM