Running head: SEXISM IN MUSIC 1

Reading Paper 2: Reflection on Sexism in Music

Marina Briones
Loyola University Chicago
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Reading Paper 2: Reflection on Sexism in Music

Music elicits diverse responses genre to genre. Whether it is country music, pop music,

hip hop, or anything else, music is there to entertain and relate to people’s experiences. When

music is presented to the mainstream world, the impact of lyrics can become detrimental to many

different lives. Without even truly knowing what they are doing, artists can be implementing and

perpetuating cycles of oppression.

Little White Lies
Now you wanna make some rules/ Now cool then we'll watch them break tonight/ I know

what you want/ And I've been waiting so long. Sheffield (2004) wrote about the explicit sexual

terrorism women face verbally, emotionally, and physically throughout their lifetimes. Sheffield

(2004) stated that “Sexual terrorism is maintained by a system of sex-role socialization that

encourages men to be terrorists in the name of masculinity and women to be victims in the name

of femininity.” Within this song, One Direction, creates the visual that the woman in this song

should not have made rules for the night since she will be breaking them for the sake of the man

she is with. It’s frustrating to me that so blatantly these lyrics throughout the song depict

woman’s submission towards man and pleasing his needs over her own. It disheartens me and

makes me feel hopeless when seeing and hearing music like this because there is such a large

following of young people that do not understand these lyrics are misogynistic and completely

inappropriate.
Starring Role
Marina Diamandis is one of my all-time favorite artists for several different reasons, the

largest being her notable satirical and blunt lyrics. One of Marina’s most powerful songs (to

me), Starring Role, depicts an abusive relationship and the difficulty of leaving because of the

“love” that is still felt between the relationship. I've turned into a statue/ And it makes me feel

depressed/ 'Cause the only time you open up is when we get undressed. Referring to Sheffield’s

work, she discusses that women are not as understood in society as men so media should be used
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to help progress these thoughts and views, not hinder them. “The expressions of popular culture

—literature, film, television, music, advertising, and so on—are vehicles for the transmission of

patriarchal myths and attitudes (Sheffield, 2004).” As I feel Marina does, she uses her power as

a feminist musician to create pieces that culture and enlighten individuals rather than selling

herself out for money and fame. I found Marina from my best friend in my undergraduate career.

If I had never met my best friend I would have likely never even heard of Marina and all her

feminist work. Marina and her music really inspires me as woman to live my life

unapologetically for myself.

Walk Like a Man
Relating to men’s issues and the perception of masculinity in society, there comes a large

stigma. Men are seen as the “bread winners” and the “macho” stereotype in many different

cultures. Because of this issue, men are influenced to behave these certain “normalized” ways in

order to fit properly into society. This also influences ways in which men can deal with these

issues. For example, when dealing with emotions men are not supposed to be overtly emotional

and are told to “man up” as is shown in lyrics like Frankie Valli’s song, “Walk Like a Man.” He

said walk like a man/ Talk like a man/ Walk like a man my son. What make me curious, is what

exactly a man is “supposed” to “walk” and “talk” like. I wonder why there has to be a set of

behaviors individuals have to follow in order to be deemed “men.” Heather Hackman (2010),

wrote that “… even though there is no causal relationship between one’s biology and one’s

gender identity, the instilling of these gender roles and rules in us from the moment we are born

make it appear as if there is…(p. 318).” These implemented and perpetuated ways of being are

so normalized that anyone who chooses to be different is instantly chastised. With music having

such a high influence in people’s lives it is important, especially in higher education to ensure

that all parties are being included. If there is an event where music is non inclusive or trigger-
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some, this can create a negative imprint on the experience an individual receiving or working in

higher education will have to keep forever with them.

Mambo No. 5
Mentioning once again blatant sexism and misogyny in music, Lou Bega’s top 90’s hit “Mambo

No.5” is a prime example. So what can I do? I really beg you, my Lord/ To me flirting is just like

a sport/ Anything fly, it's all good let me dump it. These lyrics and this song demonstrate the

stigma’s women and men face every day in this society. Men who sleep with several women are

seen as “gods” while women on the other hand would be deemed as “sluts” and “whores.” These

ideas and behaviors spoken about in music are examples of how the patriarchal influences our

society faces are so deeply rooted within our system. Allan Johnson (2010) discussed the idea

that the patriarchy, when heard from others, it automatically seen as placing the blame on men.

Johnson also states it is crucial to recognize that “we’re stuck in a model of social life that views

everything as beginning and ending with individuals.” Because of these ideas, it is necessary for

society as a whole to participate in understanding the larger implication of the patriarchy. It is

not to place a fault on anyone, but to see how each of our individual lives influences and

materializes in the patriarchal dominance (Johnson, 2010 p.335).

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References

Bunetta J., Drewett E., Hector W., Payne L., Ryan J., Tomlinson L. &. (2013). Little White Lies

[Recorded by One Direction]. On Midnight Memories

United Kingdom: Columbia Records, Syco Music

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KPlpp_lMJY

Kurstin, G. (2012). Starring Role [Recorded by Marina Diamandis]. On Electra Heart

United Kingdom: Atlantic Records.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfwjtBFBce0

Crewe B. Gaudio B. (1963). Walk Like a Man [Recorded by The Four Seasons].

On Walk Like a Man [Vinyl]. N/A: Vee Jay Records https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=0C1jj6I0eJA

Bega L., Prado D.P., Davids Z. (1999). Mambo No. 5 [Recorded by Lou Bega]. On A little bit of

Mambo N/A: RCA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x61CT0tDmAY

Hackman, H.W. (2010). Sexism. In M. Adams, W.J. Blumenfeld, C.

Castañeda, H.W. Hackman, M.L. Peters, & X. Zúñiga (Eds.), Readings for diversity and

social justice (2nd ed.; pp. 318). New York: Routledge.

Johnson, A.G. (2010). Patriarchy, the System. In M. Adams, W.J. Blumenfeld, C.

Castañeda, H.W. Hackman, M.L. Peters, & X. Zúñiga (Eds.), Readings for diversity and

social justice (2nd ed.; pp. 334-335). New York: Routledge.

Sheffield, C.J. (2004). Sexual terrorism: The social control of women. In L. Heldke, & P.

O’Connor (Eds.), Oppression, privilege, & resistance: Theoretical perspectives on

racism, sexism, and heterosexism (pp. 164-182). New York: McGraw-Hill.