I stumbled across the video for Lose to Win recently, and was at first thrilled to see Fantasia back on the horse. Seems all I’ve seen of her recently has had nothing to do with her music and everything to do with the train wreck her life has become. This video, while beautiful and showing our girl in fabulous voice, underscores the issues that still seem to plague her – highest on the list, a strong lack of self esteem.
It’s a running theme in her music and its visual representations – Fanny is ecstatic at being loved, and then devastated to find her lover cheating with a bevy of slender, more classically beautiful women. Even more wretched, she’s almost passively accepting of the pain said lover inflicts, as though she deserves it, or it’s expected because she can’t measure up to the other women. It’s a common theme I’d love to see the back of.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how little looks matter. Not that they’re completely irrelevant, I’m not that noble! But I can count on my fingers and toes a lot of men who lost all attractiveness for me once their pretty mouths opened and stupidity or filth poured out.
I haven’t heard the new album, but I can only hope my first impression is completely and utterly wrong, and that this distinct and wonderful voice is on a stellar upswing.
A Life Not Grey 