by Pink’s Eccentric Side: A Look at Her Two Quirkiest Songs
When most people think of Pink, they think of her energetic pop anthems like “Just Give Me a Reason” or emotional ballads like “What About Us.” And while she’s best known for crafting catchy mainstream hits, Pink has also dabbled in weirder, more experimental sounds throughout her career. Two songs in particular stand out as her strangest musical excursions – “Don’t Let Me Get Me” and “Get the Party Started,” both from her breakthrough 2001 album Missundazstood. On the surface, they may seem like typical pop songs. But a closer look reveals their quirky lyrics, bizarre music videos, and overall eccentric vibes that set them apart from Pink’s more straightforward material. So if you’re looking for Pink at her most unusual, these two tracks are perfect examples of her willingness to color outside the lines.
“Don’t Let Me Get Me”
Released as the fourth single from Missundazstood in 2001, “Don’t Let Me Get Me” gives listeners an introspective look into Pink’s own insecurities and self-doubt. Musically, it’s a frenetic blend of pop-punk and hip-hop influences that matches the chaotic nature of its lyrics and music video. Pink belts out the verses with a defiant tone, warning herself not to “mess with me ’cause I’m a little crazy” and listing off her flaws and weaknesses.
The song takes on a melancholy air during the bridge as Pink sings “I’m my own worst enemy, it’s bad when you annoy yourself.” She acknowledges her own self-destructive tendencies and struggles to stay balanced. It’s a surprisingly raw look at Pink’s mental state during a time of skyrocketing fame and success. The lyrics find her grappling with the pressure of living up to expectations while staying true to herself.
This introspective theme is perfectly matched by the music video, which amplifies the song’s manic energy through a montage of Pink portraying different personas. She’s seen as a cheerleader, ballerina, goth girl, and more – all symbolizing the different sides of her personality and identity. Pink throws herself fully into each role, highlighting the performative aspects of self-image. Scenes cut rapidly between her various colorful costumes and wigs against a plain white backdrop, visually representing the chaos inside her head.
It’s an artistic video that pulls back the curtain on Pink’s insecurities in a raw, confessional way. While pop stars are usually portrayed as confident and put-together, “Don’t Let Me Get Me” shows Pink’s willingness to be vulnerable and expose her flaws. The video is also a precursor to her later visuals known for subverting gender norms, like the iconic “Trouble” clip from her 2017 album Beautiful Trauma.
Overall, the song is a quirky yet poignant self-reflection on fame, mental health, and identity from one of pop’s most candid artists. Its manic lyrics and video gave fans a glimpse into Pink’s less polished side during the early peak of her career. While not typical hit single material, “Don’t Let Me Get Me” showed she wasn’t afraid to reveal her true eccentric self through music.
“Get the Party Started”
In stark contrast to the introspective nature of “Don’t Let Me Get Me,” Pink’s other Missundazstood deep cut “Get the Party Started” is just plain weird and goofy. At first listen, it seems like a standard dance-pop anthem encouraging people to let loose and have fun. But look closer at the lyrics, and you’ll find they’re full of nonsensical phrases and bizarre imagery.
Pink sings about “fuzzy zoeller with a screwdriver” and “little pinky in the air” – references that make little literal sense but add an offbeat comedic element. She repeats the titular hook “I know you want to get the party started” with a devil-may-care attitude. It’s the musical equivalent of that friend who shows up already drunk to the pregame and just wants to cut loose.
This freewheeling spirit of letting your freak flag fly is epitomized by the music video. Directed by longtime Pink collaborator Dave Meyers, it’s a kaleidoscopic trip showcasing her off-the-wall charisma and comedic timing. Pink is seen dancing in front of wild psychedelic backgrounds, wearing outfits like a fur coat and giant sunglasses. She mugs for the camera with exaggerated facial expressions and lively choreography.
Interspersed are bizarre cutaway scenes, like Pink dancing with toy monkeys or getting sprayed with seltzer water. It’s a total non sequitur that matches the nonsensical lyrics. Meyers’ creative direction amplifies the song’s quirk factor through surreal imagery and Pink’s playful comedic performance. She’s clearly having a blast just letting loose and not taking herself too seriously.
While “Get the Party Started” became one of Pink’s signature party songs, its weird music video showed fans another side of her – the goofball who doesn’t mind looking silly for the sake of fun. Even as her success grew, Pink stayed true to her punk roots by putting out fun, strange material like this that subverted expectations. It’s a reminder that behind every pop star’s glamorous image is still a real person who likes to cut loose and laugh at themselves from time to time.
So Which Is Stranger?
When comparing “Don’t Let Me Get Me” and “Get the Party Started,” it’s difficult to say definitively which is the stranger Pink song. On one hand, “Don’t Let Me Get Me” delves deeper into introspection through its confessional lyrics and artistic music video. But “Get the Party Started” is just plain bizarre and nonsensical, from its fuzzy zoeller references to Pink’s monkey dancing scenes.
Ultimately, the answer comes down to personal taste and interpretation. “Don’t Let Me Get Me” gives a glimpse into Pink’s psyche, while “Get the Party Started” is simply weird for weirdness’ sake. Both showcase Pink’s fearlessness when it comes to subverting expectations of mainstream pop. She’s not afraid to be introspective, goofy, or just plain strange if the music moves her.
That willingness to color outside the lines is part of what has kept Pink’s career fresh over two decades. While she’s crafted countless radio hits, she’s also taken creative risks with quirkier material that keeps fans and critics on their toes. Songs like “Don’t Let Me Get Me” and “Get the Party Started” are a testament to Pink’s eccentric artistry and prove that even multi-platinum pop stars have an oddball side. They remind us that behind every confident performer is still a complex, funny human being. So whether you find one song or the other stranger is beside the point – Pink’s uniqueness is what makes her one of pop’s most enduring artists.
