[crumoursegemo]

So, can we all talk about P!nk?


I'm curious where people stand. I feel like she's one of the most universally accepted pop stars, but not really one of the most popular, if that makes sense. You don't often hear her name when you're listing the most exciting, creative, sexiest, etc pop stars. However, she truly is all of those things.

From an MTV article:

Think about it. She is a fabulously fearless pop artist, as comfortable taking on George W. Bush as she is hanging like a bat from the rafters of Radio City. She is clever and funny and unflinching, willing to take her (oft volatile) personal life and turn it into grist for hit singles. She is a deceptively good singer, something she is rarely given credit for (check "Just Like a Pill" or "God Is a DJ" or the chorus of "Sober" for proof). She recorded a Beck song and wrote tunes with Rancid's Tim Armstrong. She has tons of tattoos and used to wear her hair like Wendy O. Williams from the Plasmatics. She has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, landed countless Billboard hits, and her Funhouse tour is currently the ninth highest-grossing jaunt of the year.

And yet, if you were to make a list of the biggest pop stars, Pink probably wouldn't even crack the top five.
I'm just so curious why people seem to forget she exists sometimes. She takes, at most 2 years between albums, and seems to have a renaissance of popularity when she releases something new.

P!nk's music spans genres more so than any of her contemporaries. Her debut was very much the pop/R&B that was central in the late 90s-early 00s. Then with her sophomore album, she really established herself as a "pop star" and ushered in the pop-rock wave that artists like Kelly Clarkson rode with some of their bigger hits. Vocally, I think perhaps the only two to surpass her in terms of technique and power would be Christina Aguilera and Kelly Clarkson, with the former being more of an acquired taste. I've never heard P!nk fumble during a live performance, and her studio tracks have such a nice range to them.

In Australia, and maybe posters from there can confirm, she's huge. I think her Funhouse tour was one of the highest grossing ever? Or something? Regardless, she finds success in the US and Europe but Australia seems to be where she's the most revered.

Her new single "Blow Me (One Last Kiss)" is out next month, with an album to follow. I expect the same type of cycle - hit singles, hit tour, then she goes back to doing her thing. Perhaps it's her lack of desire to be a super-celebrity in addition to a musician that keeps her off people's radar, but it seems to be working? I think in 50 years, it could be P!nk who outlasts them all.

[Gypejeva]

I've always liked Pink. I don't own her albums but I do have her greatest hits CD. She has a large amount of wonderful singles. She is the only pop star of the current generation who is the true successor to Madonna IMO. Pink is the only one who actually paid attention to what Madonna did/does and applied it to herself/her own career. Pink has a tremendous work ethic, has never been tabloid fodder, she's a strong individual who lives on her own terms, is in charge of her artistry and is an amazing role model for women and girls. I respect the hell out of her.

[cheaploans]

Love her!! Her last album, funhouse, was a pretty damn stellar popalbum, she's an actual good singer and knows how to present herself. Wether it's an image or not, she comes across as genuine and sincere.

[maxfieldj1]

I don't own any of her albums, probably because every time you turn on the radio or at a club, you hear her songs. I recognize her talents, but she's not an artist that I feel a need to follow.

[clorkergo]

Well, this thread is incomplete without this:

[crumoursegemo]

^Makes me tear up every time. Ugh, so beautiful.

[Luisabens]

I love P!nk. That "Glitter in the Air" clip is the epitome of excellence in the pop music realm. She really sits the bar high. I also love that my daughter is a huge P!nk fan at 8. I would rather her sing "So What" then just about any other of the pop crap out there.

[AlexDatig]

That clip truly is incredible. She just stuns the FUCK out of everybody in the audience.

[cenRealliat]

i've always liked her and she's had quite a few good singles over the years, but i do kind of forget she exists sometimes like you said, Jake. i've barely every downloaded any of her songs even though they're the kind of stuff i'm always happy to hear on the radio in the car. my favorites are definitely the ones she's done with Max Martin like Who Knew, U + Ur Hand, Please Don't Leave Me, and Raise Your Glass. i think that might be part of why i do kind of forget she exists though..as great a singer and as much personality as she has, the material she releases does kind of tend to fall in that genre of rock-pop that sound like they could have ended up with Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry, etc.

i will say one song of hers i really can't stand is Stupid Girls. i could not believe that was a lead single.

[EHjEjdqe]

Pink is legit. Her live show with all the acrobatic work... talk about going above and beyond what you need to do at a concert. Love her.

[crumoursegemo]

i will say one song of hers i really can't stand is Stupid Girls. i could not believe that was a lead single.

Yes, totally. The only reason the song got tons of attention was because of the video, where she made fun of all of the media's current teenage girl archetypes. It was a smart commentary, but soundwise - really boring.

I see a few of you aren't familiar with the deep cuts from the albums. I made this Spotify playlist of non-singles for anyone who wants to dive in:
http://t.co/Ro2rKkXD

18 Wheeler
Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)
Mean
Dear Mr. President
Let Me Let You Know
Hooker
Conversations With My 13 Year Old Self
Lonely Girl
Misery
Bridge of Light
Save My Life
Walk Away
My Vietnam
Glitter In The Air

Also, one of my favorite performances from her. Wish it was available in better quality:

[bactrimtab]

Thank GOD she has a new album coming out. I adore this woman. I love my pop music in general, but I think P!nk is the real deal. Great voice, great performer, and great catchy tracks. Funhouse and M!zundastood (or whatever the fuck dumb spelling she used) are her best albums, as both are cohesive works, rather than just single-collections. She also just seems like she'd be a freaking awesome chick to hang out with.

[cheaploans]

Jake, 18 wheeler: yes yes yes!!! That totally couldve/shouldve been a hit single.
As for Please don't leave me: one of the best bittersweet popsongs of recent years.

[zzquo0iR]

18 Wheeler and Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely) are my favorite Pink songs. Love, love, LOVE her. She's always entertaining, always down to earth. Can't wait for the new album.

[zzquo0iR]

re: 18 Wheeler, I'd love to have an unedited "explicit" version of that song one day. It's always been one my favorite songs to sing along to in the car. (I can't believe Missindaztood was released 11 years ago. That's the year I graduated high school!! #oldfuck )

[EHjEjdqe]

I've always loved her song "Most Girls" from the first album when she was pop/rnb.

"Who Knew" is my favorite song of hers to sing along with.

[Luisabens]

Two of my favorite P!nk performances.

[Ecurrexchangess]

I love Pink! I think she's an amazing singer, and the tour where she did all the aerial work was really really impressive.

"Who Knew" makes me cry (reminds me of someone), and I love "So What", "Get the Party Started", "Glitter in the Air", "Stupid Girls", etc etc etc. So many great songs from her.

[Luisabens]

"Who Knew" makes me cry (reminds me of someone)

Tried to give you rep over this, but I must spread it around first. This is the best song about an ex that I have ever heard.

[Ecurrexchangess]

A dead ex, specifically.