Ladies, are you still running your man’s bathwater, untying his shoestrings and brushing his hair when he comes from work? Asking for a friend—well, three friends actually.
You see, today marks 17 years since Destiny’s Child released their hit single ‘Cater 2 U,’ a song in which the group proudly sang about a woman’s total devotion to her man and making sure all of his needs were met at home. While back then, it was well-received, peaking at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning two Grammy nominations, a closer, more mature look at the popular song’s lyrics has the internet having second thoughts about whether women should have been singing along to the song at all. When it was released, like every Destiny’s Child single back then, ‘Cater 2 U’ quickly became the song of the summer, with women across the country singing along with Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams as they pledged their undying love for their men through song. But would the love they’re describing in the song be considered pampering your man? Or is it really about submitting to him and putting his needs before your own? That’s what the Internet has been debating all day long.
After questioning whether problematic lyrics like “my life would be purposeless without you” were ever necessary or healthy messages for women to share, some Twitter users called for everyone to “cancel” the song forever, referring to it as a “slave song”. But the reactions from fans, however, were mixed, and they weren’t so quick to say goodbye to the DC classic.
Some Twitter users felt that the issue isn’t about whether or not you should be catering to the one you love, but rather, how deserving the person you choose to spoil is of such levels of devotion.
Ladies, we are not canceling “Cater 2 U” , we’re canceling catering to the wrong one 
(@iRoyalThighness) June 14, 2021
While others point out that, to them, the song represents a woman showing her man how proud she is of how hard he’s worked for their family.
Cater 2 U starts with “Baby I see you working hard. Wanna let you know I’m proud” why wouldn’t you cater to YOUR hardworking man from time to time?!??
— ♡
Jans♡ (@GoldenJans) June 13, 2021
Other users are more concerned about how women are treating themselves and not their partners—prompting a deeper discussion about self-love.
Not y’all trying to cancel Destiny’s Child’s “Cater 2 U” because the men you give the time of day to ain’t worth a damn. 
Cater y’all self-esteem, beloveds. pic.twitter.com/taXs0MYB6R
One user posed the question: If the song were about a man spoiling a woman, would the Internet still want to let it go?
Ummm… Why is #Cater2U problematic? The song literally says “cause baby this is YOUR DAY”Part of me believes we wouldn’t feel the same about the lyrics if men sang it for women.Normalize men being catered to as well.Happy spouse!Happy house!
Destiny’s Child bandmember Michelle Williams even responded to the backlash, poking fun at the conversation and saying in a video response. “Oh, honey. You didn’t discern who you were catering to, when you gave your littler pearls to swine. Don’t be mad at Destiny’s Child.”
Not y’all trynna cancel ‘Cater 2 U’ 
pic.twitter.com/Qcf5lnvASJ
Welp, there you have it, although, it should be said that the most diehard DC fans just weren’t here for the debate at all.
the only "Cater 2 U" debate I am interested in is which one of them had the best House of Dereon Couture on. (the answer is Michelle). pic.twitter.com/4kPvTgEmVp
— alanna
(@alanna_prince) June 14, 2021
Looking back on the lyrics now, do you feel differently about them? Tell us how you feel on Twitter.
TOPICS: destiny’s child
The post 17 Years After Destiny’s Child’s ‘Cater 2 U’ Was Released, Some Women Are Rethinking The Song’s Lyrics appeared first on Essence.
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