Felicia Lu redefines what it means to be a “bitch” in her empowering new single. In our society, women are often criticized and mocked for things than men are largely celebrated for. A man can sleep with multiple women and be called a hero or a god. If a woman does that, she is called a slut, a whore, or a bitch. Lu recognizes that this mentality is outdated and sexist, so in response, she decided to do what she does best—write an ingenious song about it. In “Bitch,” she turns the offensive word into a positive term that she proudly owns, and she encourages other women to follow suit. The first verse introduces the listener to this backwards, misogynistic thinking that inspired Lu to write the track, before switching to lyrics that showcase her frustration and exhaustion. In the pre-chorus, she sings: “‘Cause I’m a man-eater, I’m a bitch// Cast a spell, like I’m a witch// They change it until it fits// ‘Cause I’m a man eater, that they say// A woman just can’t be that way// We’re just supposed to sit and stay.” The song then breaks out into the empowering chorus where Lu proudly reclaims the narrative with the lyrics: “If that’s the way that they insist// Then I will gladly be a bitch// To live the life I choose to live// Then I will gladly be// Never what they wanted me// Say it loud, I’m proud to be that bitch.” With these lines, Lu accepts the title she is given, if that is what it means to be happy with who you are and do what you like. She no longer takes offense to the word and cherishes the connotations that it comes with. It means she fights for what she wants, and she does not let anyone tell her what to do. She encourages women to do the same and fight the patriarchal system that tells us to sit down and be quiet. Lu not only redefines “bitch,” but she also spells out exactly what it means to her in the bridge. She sings “Babe, I’m Thankful, Call me Honest// But I’ll Tolerate Calm, Harmonic.” Similar to an acrostic poem, Lu has taken each letter of “bitch” and turned it into a message that shares her definition of the word. This clever detail makes the bridge my favorite part of the track. Lu never fails to write unforgettable and relatable infectious pop tracks, making “Bitch” another song from the singer that is on the top of my personal playlists.
“Bitch” is a high-energy pop anthem that encapsulates Lu’s signature dark-pop production and cheeky lyrics, making it an instant fan-favorite. The song kicks-off with a subtle synth intro and jazzy chords on the keyboard. After a few measures, Lu’s captivating vocals signify the beginning of the verse while a smooth bass picks up in the background. Immediately, this compelling soundscape piques the listener’s attention with the controversial lyrics and Lu’s fiery attitude. In the second half of the verse, the beat picks up briefly, before muting in the pre-chorus. This brings an emphasis to the powerful lyrics, allowing the listener to focus on the message. Then, the beat returns softly in the background, preparing the song for the electrifying chorus. The full production consists of the original synth intro, the beat, the bass, and additional synth sound effects. Lu’s voice has a layered effect on them, providing an additional dynamic to the whimsical atmosphere. Each time she sings the title word, “bitch,” background vocals are heard echoing the lead vocals. This provides a unique effect on the listener, making it feel as if there are a choir of women singing alongside Lu as she reclaims this narrative. The highly anticipated bridge consists of a unique production and satisfying vocal effects. The first half of the bridge has a muted production to match the muted vocals, ensuring that the listener catches every single cheeky lyric. The second time around, the soft beat from the pre-chorus comes back, leading to the final energetic chorus. The production stays the same, however the background vocals while Lu says “bitch” are more prominent. This further enhances the effect that an army of empowered women are backing the singer during this critical storyline. “Bitch” is a brilliantly written track that once again proves Lu is a cut above the rest and deserves to be the music industry’s next top pop queen.
Felicia Lu is an indie-pop singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer from Germany, currently based in Vienna, Austria. In 2014, she made it to the finals of the RTL Talent Show, “Rising Star”. Then in 2017, she was a contestant for the Eurovision Song Contest. She returned to the world-famous contest in 2022 with her song “Anxiety” and placed fourth for Germany. With both “Anxiety” and her next biggest single, “Pay,” the two tracks amount to over 3 million streams on Spotify. Furthermore, Lu has a total of over 14 million streams for her entire discography on the platform. She has 2 extended play albums and several stand-alone singles. Her debut full-length album is set for release on September 29, 2023. Watch the music video for “Bitch” to look for an easter egg that reveals the album’s title. And for those who are local to Vienna, she will be hosting an album release party on September 30th, so check out her socials for more details and tickets!
Written By Karlee Skipper
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