When I searched "music and gender through the decades" in Google, the first hit was the article "Blurred Lines: the most controversial song of the decade." (Here's the link if you're curious: http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/nov/13/blurred-lines-most-controversial-song-decade). The title interested me because I haven't heard many people here talk about the controversial nature of the song and the music video. Author Dorian Lynskey comments that several student unions and organizations (namely in the UK) have gone to such lengths as to ban "Blurred Lines," and the song has been called a "rape song" and "rapey" because, according to opponents of the song, the lyrics and music video sexualize women and send out the message that "blurred lines" do exist when it comes to sex and consent.
After reading the article, I thought those who oppose the song gave valid reasoning and concerns, especially when considering lyrics like "I know you want it" and "tried to domesticate you/But you're an animal, baby, it's in your nature," as well as the way women are portrayed in the video and the fact that the original video featured topless women. However, because the main objectors named were parents, older conservatives, and feminist groups - people I expected to have reservations - I searched Youtube for a Teens React video to see the reaction of the target audience, and this (video below) is what I found. The questions start around 2:36, and I found the responses and the information about Robin Thicke's intentions pretty interesting.
My thoughts? To be honest, I think the music is fun and catchy (although it ended up annoying me for a while because it was overplayed), and when it first became popular I didn't pay much attention to the lyrics. However, after I saw the music video, I took a deeper look at the song, and the lyrics, although catchy, turned me away from it. Now, I don't know if it impacts people, youth specifically, in the way parents and feminists believe it does/will; most people I know just listen to the song for the music and don't pay much attention to the lyrics. However, I do think it's sad that the women in the video allowed themselves to be portrayed in this way (especially in the topless version) and that songs and music videos like this - and more recently, the song "Talk Dirty" by Jason Derulo and its music video - which reinforce negative stereotypes could be sending the message that "blurred lines" with sex and consent do indeed exist.
- Kaley P.
After reading the article, I thought those who oppose the song gave valid reasoning and concerns, especially when considering lyrics like "I know you want it" and "tried to domesticate you/But you're an animal, baby, it's in your nature," as well as the way women are portrayed in the video and the fact that the original video featured topless women. However, because the main objectors named were parents, older conservatives, and feminist groups - people I expected to have reservations - I searched Youtube for a Teens React video to see the reaction of the target audience, and this (video below) is what I found. The questions start around 2:36, and I found the responses and the information about Robin Thicke's intentions pretty interesting.
My thoughts? To be honest, I think the music is fun and catchy (although it ended up annoying me for a while because it was overplayed), and when it first became popular I didn't pay much attention to the lyrics. However, after I saw the music video, I took a deeper look at the song, and the lyrics, although catchy, turned me away from it. Now, I don't know if it impacts people, youth specifically, in the way parents and feminists believe it does/will; most people I know just listen to the song for the music and don't pay much attention to the lyrics. However, I do think it's sad that the women in the video allowed themselves to be portrayed in this way (especially in the topless version) and that songs and music videos like this - and more recently, the song "Talk Dirty" by Jason Derulo and its music video - which reinforce negative stereotypes could be sending the message that "blurred lines" with sex and consent do indeed exist.
- Kaley P.