I was introduced to this song in the most unexpected of situations. As a routine of the hip hop club I am a part of at university, every Thursday is dedicated to exploring myriad artists or genres that have in some way or another affected the history of "hip hop" as music. On a Thursday just like any other, we were exploring the genre of neo-soul, and, out of the blue, "Private Party" was played. The likes of Prince and Erykah Badu - who were also mentioned - I had heard of briefly in the past. But India.Arie was new to me, which I guess contributed to my extra attentive behavior when first listening to the song.
I'm not usually a fan of self-appreciative music. In most cases, a good-meaning message in this area is unfortunately butchered to near superficiality by its poor execution. The words used to express self-love seem to be so overused, probably due to the countless attempts that have been made to package and present appreciation for oneself, all echoing and copying one another.
To be honest, I wouldn't consider India.Arie's "Private Party" to be worlds different from the tirelessly repeated words that I've heard from other tunes encouraging self-love. The mellow acoustics and heartwarming catchphrase ("baby, look how far we've come") are familiar friends of the category of self-appreciative music. However, there is still a subtle, real difference there that does make all that much of a change in my opinion towards the song.
On an extremely biased note, I dig that Arie's voice sounds angelic. Not just "sounds," but "feels." When I was first hearing the song, it immediately felt as if I was being wrapped up, cocooned into a "Sunday morning of life" that her notes were sending me to.
A majority of the songs on self-confidence I've heard have been head-bangers or tunes that want you to belch the chorus aloud. To be fair, some may think that the more important such a message is, the louder it should be delivered and the stronger it should be stressed. But I believe this kind of quiet vibe that Arie puts forth is more powerful, and thus the better way in expressing love for oneself.
Moreover, the song feels like a progressing story. Not only does the artist describe an uphill pattern taking place in the views of herself, but also the message of self-appreciation is clarified, emphasized and ultimately confirmed. Both the lyrics and tone of Arie's voice begin at a cautious, hesitant start, but in a matter of two minutes, I can feel a much more relieved sense of confidence sinking in.
Above everything, the lyrics of "Private Party" are of the artist's personal experience. The song opens with simple storytelling of conversations with close ones that led her to begin thinking about herself in the first place. Then, she goes on to describe some of the things she'll do, like stare at her reflection or talk to herself, that will consolidate her self-appreciation. These kinds of commonplace examples that seem to be everyday events for her are what downplay the figuratively humongous subject that is self-appreciation. They make her attempt to communicate the message of "loving oneself" humble and lovable, unlike those that too often try to force the idea down our throats with their obviousness.
The message is there for you to feel, but India.Arie is talking to herself, not to you, making the track all the more magical.
My word to sum up "Private Party": triumphant
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