The Evolution of Women in Music
The subject of women in the music scene is extremely complex. I am going to first talk about how women are portrayed in music of men. No matter what genre you listen to you are going to find lyrics sexualizing women. This is very common and it has been normalized for men to talk about women this way. I find this to be a very big problem because music is a way that children learn. Children listen to what their parents play on the radio. Little boys will grow finding this kind of thing normal. Also little girls which is very upsetting when they should not have to deal with things like that. Women are portrayed as objects for men in these types of songs. Not only is the sexualization of women a problem in music there is often sexism as well. Songs portray outdated gender roles.
Let's analyze this
The song is Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke. Most of you have probably heard this song.
This song is very inappropriate so you do not have to listen. I just want to analyze a few lyrics. Lyrics such as "I know you want it (hey) I know you want it I know you want it You're a good girl (hey, hey)Can't let it get past me (oh yeah)" In this lyric he really wants the girl so he is trying to persuade her and almost gaslight her. He is saying that she wants what he wants. He is also saying that if she is good person in a sense she will give him what he wants. This is an incredibly messed up view to have of women. This mindset is very common in music though. Men think they are very powerful and that women should do what they want.
Dolly Parton
Another issue women face in music is that is that people do not think they can do things on their own. They think they need a man's input and help. Dolly Parton is a trail blazer in this aspect. Dolly Parton is one of the most important women in the world of music. She knew from the time she was a little girl that she wanted to sing and make music. As soon as she graduated high school she moved to Nashville to make a name for herself. She did a few small things in Nashville then in 1967 she got a call from the Porter Wagoner show. She was asked to be his new duet partner. Everyone that watched the show absolutely loved her. She made some of her most popular songs during that time like 'Jolene' and "I will always love you'. She then left the show and continued to be successful to this day. She was truly a pioneer for women. She wrote and sang her own songs which was not very common for the time. She worked hard and created her own success after coming from very little. She is a true role model for all women and especially those who want to be musicians. She really proved women can do anything men can.
