Don’t Cancel Me
Would you rather be canceled or be a hypocrite?
Don't Cancel Me sheds light on cancel culture and its impact on individuals. Have we habitually lied and hid our opinions out of fear of social rejection? Or have we adopted popular beliefs too quickly because others say it's "right" without thinking critically through them first?
I had an idea for this song when I met an acquaintance for lunch. She praised a politician, saying she couldn't understand why people didn't vote for him. Not long after, I met her again with a group of people who didn't favor that politician. She switched to criticizing him, but with language that she wouldn't normally use. It was as if she copied phrases from somewhere, probably when someone famous condemned the politician. She chose to be a hypocrite rather than be rejected by the group.
It's not only politicians and shallow influencers who are hypocrites. We all want to be accepted by others—friends, family, colleagues, or even followers on social media. Many of us have said things we don't believe in to avoid arguments. Often, the lie is small, and there's no harm done. However, these small lies accumulate, and we become a hypocrite out of habit before we know it.
Other times, we agree with popular beliefs too quickly. We'd start mirroring someone else's words to express opinions, whether a celebrity, youtube influencer, or podcast thought-leader. When you're using someone else's language, it's a sign that you haven't thought through these issues critically.
The progressive song takes you through 8 distinct musical genres, from jazz-funk, metal, EDM, retro game sounds, disco, to a Broadway-style orchestra.
I wanted to compose a song that changes genres every 15-20 seconds to represent someone who constantly switches beliefs and opinions.
“New trendy beliefs. Can’t miss the latest bandwagon.”
The video is a parody of people who are hypocritical in some ways. It starts with a game “create a character” screen. Instead of customizing the character’s look, the player customizes her beliefs. As the player clicks on contrasting controversial beliefs, texts on a protest sign held by the character change to match.
“Please let me stay. Don’t cancel me today.”
This character then appears in a scene with Black Lives Matter protesters. She sorts through her pile of protest signs and tries to join with an All Lives Matter sign. The crowd berated her while she begged not to be canceled.
“I’m hollow inside. An echo chamber for your needs.”
Next is a parody of TikTok dance videos. We see pretty girls in athleisure following dancing trends and being over-the-top sexy. Then, anime rockband cosplayers, along with characters who dress in controversial topics, like legalizing weed, anti-vax, and global warming.
“I don’t want to be problematic. There’s no need to panic.”
The e-girl scene was my favorite. I was acting as an influencer who accidentally said something racist on stream and had to make an apology video. Although, she didn’t actually look sorry and kept wiping away non-existent tears.
“I’ll do it for free. I’ll be what you want me to be.”
In the next scene, news reporters interview a politician who is over-promising before an election. And then, a model in a photoshoot for a weight-loss pills ad.
Products that target people’s insecurities about their identity still exist today. You can always tell that the promoters are genetically beautiful people who don’t use these products. This hypocrisy is propagating self-esteem issues.
The epic orchestra ending is matched with a musical theater big finish. All characters are wearing costumes based on controversial topics of the 21st century.
Tamlin’s new single, “Don’t Cancel Me” comes out on 30 April 2022 on all streaming platforms.
Lyrics
Reset my beliefs
Refresh to the latest fashion
New trendy beliefs
Can’t miss the latest bandwagon
Tell me what to say
Show me the way
Please let me stay
Don’t cancel me today
I’m hollow inside
An echo chamber for your needs
My voice is for hire
Your social justice mercenary
Tell me who to be
I am ready
Make me a meme
I need an identity
Oh please do not hate
There is no debate
I don’t want to be problematic
There’s no need to panic
Oh please don’t be harsh
I promise I’ll change so fast
Hypocrite is my middle name
I eat my own lies for breakfast
I’ll do it for free
I'll be what you want me to be
Just don't cancel me
21st-century beliefs
21st-century beliefs
21st-century beliefs
Extras
Lyrics Video
streaming now
Credits
Music
Artist, Composer, & Producer: Tamlin.
Mix & Master Engineer: Brian Kraemer & Nic Aguero of GFM Recording Studios
Bassist (Jazz): Payam Ghasemi
Guitarist (Metal, Acoustic): Pakin Labaisa-ard
Screaming Vocals (Metal): Sa1las
Lyrics Video
Illustrator: Duy Phan
Animator & Editor: Tamlin.
Music Video Crew
Director & Producer: Tamlin.
Director of Photography: Bhornpong Eung
Film Crew: Suppakit Wuthiamornsak, Pongsakorn Puatunyawong, Navakit Chaidet, Chartrawee Sawancharoen
Production Coordinator: Ampika Merkkhwang
Behind the Scenes Videographer: Ake Sirakhunaporn
Editor: Tamlin., Bhornpong Eung
Colorist: Leo Hynes
Choreographer (Dance Scene): Skulgan Phiphobmongkol
Costume Sewist (Blue suit, Global warming): Kanyawi Paensuwan
Music Video Cast
Game Character, Fake Protester, Main Dancer, Rock Cosplayer, E-Girl, Politician, Cancel Culture: Tamlin.
BLM Protesters: Rhea Esposo, Ross Beeching, Ploypailin Pungvongsanuraks, Tobias Roder, Byron Johns, Mory Cisse, Ariel Kambale Musomba, Falcon Hunk, Ella Martines, Michelle Ndiney
Dancers: Tatiya Prabgree, Natalia Novoselova
Girl filming on phone: Jitrada Phuawongphat
Rock Guitarist: Christophe Descamps (Chris Jon)
Rock Bassist: Slatun Samakoses
Rock Drummer: Attakorn Saiyasombat
Global Warming: Samantha Wai Yin Eaton
Legalize Weed: Genji Motomura
Antivax: Dariya Suebkraisorn
Trump Impersonator: Callum Boaden
Drag Queen: Pathavee Thepkraiwan
News Reporters: Melissa Marie Davison, Luis Alberto Tenorio Davila, Tsungai Audrey Mutsaka, Jitrada Phuawongphat, Titima Sudkong
Cameraman: Marc C. Close
Producer: Wirachart Sing-on
Stylists: Ornjai Rochanasmita, Nutthavit Vilailuck
VR Player: Christopher Porter
Covid: Ali Baykara
Crypto Bro: Muha Dortkardes
