Literary Analysis: Bottoms Up

I would like to introduce you to what I hope will be a recurring trend of literature analysis posts. The popular "pop" music of a culture is known as the barometer of the times. It speaks from the undercurrent of the communal psyche, and echoes the slippery ephemeral zeitgeist. Those who have their finger on the pulse of the zeitgeist represent the diamond in the rough. Let me introduce you to one of our culture's literary genius's. Trey Songz (feat. Niki Minaj). I'll add my critique and analysis after the most poignant verses. Enjoy.

[Intro]

Yeah

Oh oh it's Mr. Steal Yo Girl

Oh oh it's Mr. Steal Yo Girl oh oh

Let's go

-Mr. Songz starts off this piece with a recantation emphasizing the importance of his good looks. He subtly underscores this by letting you know that your girlfriend would also agree.

[Chorus: Trey Songz]

Bottoms up, bottoms up, ey, what's in ya cup

Got a couple bottles, but a couple ain't enough

Bottoms up, bottoms up, throw your hands up

Tell security we bout to tear this club up

Bottoms up, bottoms up, pocket full of green

Girl, you know I love the way you shake it in them jeans

Bottoms up, bottoms up, throw ya hands up

Bottoms up, bottoms up, bottoms up (up, up)

-Like the viking cultures before us, Mr. Songz echoes the chant of imbibing. He wants to know what is in your cup. He also advises that two bottles aren't sufficient, highlighting the importance of planning ahead in hard times like this. It also pleases him the way that the listener shakes her butt.

[Verse 1: Trey Songz]

You know what it is girl, we back up in this thang

Money stay in my pocket, girl, I'm like a walkin' bank

Tell me whatcha drank, tell me whatcha thank

If I go get these bottles, we go alcohol insane

Callin' all the girls, do you hear me?

All around the world, city to city

Cheers to the girls, throw a deuce to the guys

Now I got a chicken and a goose in the ride

Gettin' loose in the ride

Hatin' ass nigga you can move to the move to the move to the side

-Mirroring the financial crisis where banks have been reluctant to give out loans, so too is Mr. Songz. Be responsible, he says. Be prudent. He is still asking what you are drinking, and also wondering if you can hear him. Something about farm animals. The music is played at high decibels in dancing clubs, so he repeats many verses. Many times over. Just in case you didn't hear them the first time.

[Chorus: Trey Songz]

Bottoms up, bottoms up, ey, what's in ya cup

Got a couple bottles, but a couple ain't enough

Bottoms up, bottoms up, throw your hands up

Tell security we bout to tear this club up

Bottoms up, bottoms up, pocket full of green

Girl, you know I love the way you shake it in them jeans

Bottoms up, bottoms up, throw ya hands up

Bottoms up, bottoms up, bottoms up (up, up)

-Again, pockets are still full of green.

[Verse 2: Trey Songz]

My vision's blurred, my words slurred

Its jam packed, a million girls

And I ain't tryin to lead em

We drunk so let me be your alcohol hero

Callin' all the girls, do you hear me?

All around the world, city to city

Cheers to the girls, throw a deuce to the guys

Now I got a chicken and a goose in the ride

Gettin' loose in the ride

Hatin ass nigga you can move to the move to the move to the side

-His voice is slurred, which lets the patient listener know why he needs to repeat himself so much. By only changing the first part of verse 1, Mr. Songz illuminates the deep parody of "efficiency" in this copy-and-paste world. 

[Chorus: Trey Songz]

Bottoms up, bottoms up, ey, what's in ya cup...

-Freakin' again with the bottoms up.

[Nicki Minaj]

Yo, could I get that 'Tron*? 

*80's entertaining movie about the cyber-reality

Could I get that Remmy*?

*80's entertaining crime series "Remington Steel" starring Pierce Brosnan

Could I get that Coke*?

*80's form of nasal entertainment

Could I get that Henny?

Could I get that margarita on the rock rock rocks?

Could I get that salt all around that rim rim rim rim?

Trey, I was like "Yo Trey"

Do you think you could buy me a bottle of Rose'?

-This ironic comment shows the importance of paying attention. The more attentive listeners will remember that the money "Stay in [his] pocket, girl". Nicki, like the rest of us, will have a hard time getting a bottle of Rose'.

Okay, lets get it now

I'm with a bad bitch he's with his friends

I don't say "Hi", I say "Keys to the Benz"

Keys to the Benz? Keys to the Benz!

Muhfuckin right yeah, weed to the 10

If a bitch try to get cute Imma sock her

Throw a lotta money at her then yell fucka, fucka, fucka,

Then yell fucka.

Then Imma go get my Louisville Slugger

Excuse me, I'm sorry, I'm really such a lady

I rep Young Money

You know Slim, Baby?

And we be doin' donuts while we wavin' the .380

We give a lotta money to the babies out in Haiti

Yellin all around the world,

Do you hear me? Do you like my body?

Anna Nicki

Rest in peace to Anna Nicole Smith

Yes, my dear, you're so explosive

Say hi to Mary, Mary and Joseph

Now bottoms up and double my dosage

-The name Nicki "Minaj" indicates the French correlation to "minaj-a-trois", AKA the holy triumvirate, which is hinted at in her line about Mary and Joseph of biblical fame. Her deep religious convictions are also shown by her philanthropy to those in Haiti, as well as throwing a lot of money at a cute girl and yelling "fucka, fucka, fucka." Then yelling "fucka" one last time.

[Chorus: Trey Songz]

Bottoms up, bottoms up, ey, what's in ya cup

Got a couple bottles, but a couple ain't enough

Bottoms up, bottoms up, throw your hands up

Tell security we bout to tear this club up

Bottoms up, bottoms up, pocket full of green

Girl, you know I love the way you shake it in them jeans

Bottoms up, bottoms up, throw ya hands up

Bottoms up, bottoms up, bottoms up (up, up)

Bottoms up, Bottoms up, Bottoms up, Bottoms up, Bottoms up

-The music must be really loud. Bottoms up people. Bottoms up. How can you not after listening to this song?