Parker Woodland Affirms You as You Are in Video for “Makeup” (2024)

Since the Sixties, it seems the body has been a battlefield. Governing entities have attempted to restrict and police how fully autonomous human beings express themselves within their own vessels.

From early-wave women’s liberation in the 1960s to the glorious freedom of Gens Z and Alpha, we’ve seen that people will fight tooth and bedazzled nail to be afforded the right to live in their own skin how they choose and be left the hell alone.

And behind every revolution there has always been music. The rallying cry for the latest wave of body freedom and unapologetic self-expression comes in the form of a home-movie-esque music video for Parker Woodland’s latest single, “Makeup.” A decidedly less sparkly Erin Walter sings the power pop-rock single while holding a camera under harsh lighting. Tears track her face – as if each time she opened her mouth to speak pride to power to all those who’ve had to spend their lives sheltering their hearts from an unforgiving society was an emotional battle. Patches of glitter spot her cheeks and a lipsticked mouth wrap around lyrics meant to inspire all who listen to it.

Walter opens on softness, pulling the viewer’s attention to her like a dear friend or your favorite auntie holding you by the cheeks to force you to look deeply into her eyes. Then, with a simple bit of brilliance that changes the entire scope of the video, the angle switches from first person to third. The focus shifts from Walter to those for whom this song was penned. Fan-submitted video clips of those on their own journeys of self-acceptance and unabashed freedom play side by side with Walter, giving the impression that she is speaking directly to them.

“Makeup” is simple in its elegance. Lyrically, it acts as something of a scenario-driven prayer. Walter speaks of confronting one’s mother, asking that she “call me by my new name.” She speaks of the constant fight, the exhaustion of existence in a space that wants to stifle your self-worth. “You just keep fighting/ ’Cause it hurts to hide.”

“You’re a butterfly becoming/ No matter what they say,” she proclaims, eyes closed, unshed tears tiptoeing at the edge of her lashes. In three minutes and 50 seconds, Walter and her merry band of fighters for justice create an anthem for an age, for a time when so much of the work to liberate the body once again falls on the most vulnerable, the least appreciated. The call to action is clear: “Put your makeup on, boy/ It’s your party now/ You know who you are.”

This music video isn’t about flash; it's certainly not about spotlighting the band. From lyrics to lighting, this entire experience is about honoring the bodies of those who dare to live in them without compromising who they are. It’s about allowing these gloriously beautiful humans to dance, smile, be silly, be loud, be brazen, vulnerable, powerful. Powerful. Though Walter isn’t giving them their power, she’s affording them a safe space to embrace it, allow it room to fly. She’s not giving permission but unconditional support and love to these gorgeous folx who have rebuked archaic ideologies about what it means to be a “man” or a “woman.” The performance of gender is just that: It’s theatre; it’s vaudeville; it’s play-acting. Those featured in the video are only living their lives in the way society has told them to since the beginning. Now, however, they are taking full control of the script, to the soundtrack of Walter, guitarist Andrew Solin, and drummer Keri Cinquina.

It’s an emotional, bare-bones, honest representation of a song that will no doubt become an anthem. Walter first offers the lyrics with a soft coo and a sigh. Then video participants mimic the words back to the screen. Now we are the ones being encouraged to sing out and sing loud. “You know who you are/ And you don’t owe them anything!/ You know who you are/ And you don’t owe them anything!/ You know who you are/ And you don’t owe them anything!”

Lift your fists and your voices to the heavens and proclaim it. You don’t owe anyone a damn thing. Put your makeup on, your favorite dress, your glitter and sequins. Live, my loved ones. Live.

This video was the work and vision of another female bassist, director Andy Maguire.

Video cameos:

Gienna “Sparkle” Williams (trans activist and performer)

Sam Hensley (queer musician)

Lenny Zenith (trans musician)

Simone Monique Barnes (faith leader)

Aniyah Essence Brooks (dancer)

Vickie Howell (famous yarn crafter and Trevor Project volunteer)

Rocky Lane (trans musician and community leader)

Sarah Swofford (queer activist and artist)

Preston Andrew Patterson (ballet dancer)

Arwyn Heilrayne (queer activist)

Meghan Fairbanks (trans activist)

Anna Nguyen (trans activist)

Kady Rain (queer pop star)

Maxine LaQueene (drag queen and activist)

Rev. T.J. FitzGerald (minister)

Amanda Pettitt (Austin realtor and wig enthusiast)

Andrea Lagrone (lesbian musician) and family

Stephone L. Brown (dancer)