On Oct. 1st and 8th, New Zealand pop-singer Lorde became the spoof subject of South Park. The success of the two Lorde-centric episodes prompted the show’s creators to release the full version of “Push (Feeling Good On A Wednesday)” online.
For our reader’s who may have missed the two articles we’ve done on the Lorde-centric South Park episodes, here is a brief synopsis.
On Wednesday, Oct. 1st, American animated comedic series South Park aired an episode called “Gluten Free Ebola”. In that episode, the plot line revolves around Lorde’s celebrity status, and a proposed concert she’ll put on for South Park residents. But, Lorde is unable to make the event. So, middle-aged South Park character, Randy Marsh, steps up to perform as the New Zealand singer.
And, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone stayed with the theme of Lorde in their Wednesday, Oct. 8th, episode called “The Cissy”.
“The Cissy” explored a storyline about gender identity. In the beginning of the episode, Cartman – one of the main boy characters in South Park – concludes that if he identifies as transgender, he can use the girl’s bathroom at school. Randy Marsh is revealed to be doing the same – identifying as trans* to use the women’s toilet at work, despite meeting resistance from female co-workers. Additionally, Marsh is seen pursuing a music career as “Lorde”, because he has dreams of pop stardom. “Lorde” performed “Push (Feeling Good On A Wednesday)” in this episode.
“Push (Feeling Good On A Wednesday” is performed by Australian singer-songwriter Sia, according to Consequence of Sound, who cite a tweet by Lorde. Although, we are unable to independently verify if it’s Sia, as neither the series creators – nor Sia, herself – have publically commented on the track.
On the surface, “Push” appears to be just another catchy pop parody, but there is a deeper message. Listening closely, it becomes clear that the track directly addresses the struggles facing Randy Marsh, but could be extended to other members of the trans* community, who face friction from a society that is geared toward gender conformity.
Check out “Push (Feeling Good On A Wednesday)” and the song lyrics, below.
Feeling good on a Wednesday
The image of me you see is distorted, twisted, broken, fractured
Isolated miles out to sea
I don’t want a separate place
I need to feel safe not thrown away away, away, awayAnd, I will push (push) to tear down the walls
(push, push)
Of this box you put me in
(push, push)
Push ow hot, push ow hot
(Push, push)
To find a label that fits me
I’m feeling good on a Wednesday with the sparkling thoughtsHelp me unload the car, ya ya ya
And so I push to close the door
Of the stall you’ve made for me to keep me away
And now we push, push to stand togetherBecause I am Lorde, ya ya ya
Ya ya ya, I am Lorde
I am Lorde, ya ya ya
Ya ya ya, I am Lorde
Ya ya ya, ya ya ya
I am Lorde
Ya ya ya
And, what does (the real) Lorde think of the spoofing?
Well, in an interview with New Zealand’s TV3 News, she said: “That was really funny! I got off really easy! I was thinking, ‘Yeah he has a moustache… I mean I have a moustache, but is it that prominent?’ But it was someone’s dad pretending to be me. We actually, in my hotel room, went ‘Ya ya ya ya ya I’m Lorde! Ya ya ya!’ for like an hour, because that’s why they do on the episode…”
And, to top it off, she even sang a little of it for TV3.