Not long ago, I was driving in the car with Violet when "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke came on the radio. I was aware of some of the controversy a few months back regarding the lyrics to the song, but admittedly, I hadn't paid very much attention to the hoopla or even the lyrics in question. Whatever, the tune is catchy and it's just a song, right? Right.
Anyway, back to the car ride with Violet with the song in question playing on the radio. When it got to the part of the song that says 'You're the hottest bitch in this place,' Violet commented that she thought it was so dumb that the radio bleeped out the word 'bitch.' When I asked her why, she said it was stupid because it's just a song and they aren't saying anything mean.
As I listened more closely to the rest of the lyrics, I heard this little gem: "Hit me up girl when you're passing through, I'll give you something big to tear your ass in two." Not cool Robin Thicke, not cool. I looked incredulously at Violet and asked her if she thought that was also okay. She just laughed and said that she thought it was fine because again, it's just a song and those lyrics are "funny." I say "funny" in quotes there because I think that that line of the song is actually not "funny" at all. More like "disgusting and hugely disrespectful to women." I tried to explain to Violet why the lyrics were actually the furthest thing from funny, but honestly, I'm fairly certain it went in one ear and out the other. To her, it really was no big deal.
This was a huge reality check for me. It actually turns my stomach more than a little to think that my daughter thinks it's okay to be called a "bitch" as long as it's followed up by saying said bitch is "hot" and that degrading lyrics are "funny." It's hard enough to raise confident and well-adjusted young women these days without songs, movies and TV shows making disrespect to women seem like a normal and accepted practice. I'll definitely be paying attention from now on.
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
6 comments:
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Yes, some songs of today have some awful lyrics. I never cared for Robin Thicke anyway. I tend to listen to a lot of oldies where they just sing about puppy love or dancing on the beach.
ReplyDeleteI listen to oldies too. Those were the days, right?
DeleteI know what you mean. But it's certainly not new. I think my parents were pretty lucky, because I've always been relatively clueless about what's going on around me. I hear songs today that I was signing along with when I was a young child, and when I actually stop to listen to the lyrics now, it's like, wow, I can't believe I was singing that when I was 7! Good thing I had no idea about the real meaning behind the lyrics.
ReplyDeleteYou are totally right, I just think it's sad that we're desensitized to the point that everyone thinks it's okay.
Deletei actually had no idea what the lyrics are and have been bouncing my head along to that tune for months now. as a parent, i want to be careful what my kid listens to because you're right, this is not cool!!!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many songs out there right now that make me want to gag. Make sure you also watch out for the Blow My Whistle Baby!
ReplyDelete