Everyone must have heard or know of the
number one ranked song on Billboard’s 2013 Song of the Summer Chart, “Blurred
Lines” by Robin Thicke. As people listen and jam to the music, many do not
realize the hidden messages written between the lines of the lyrics. Yes this
song can get very catchy and is popular but, have you ever stopped to think
about what the song really means?
In reality, Robin Thicke’s lyrics are very
offensive and degrading to women. In his original unrated music video, all
three females that were involved in the making were dressed close to being naked.
The only clothing present most of the time is a nude toned thong and a pair of
heels. “Ok now he was close, tried to domesticate you, but you’re an animal,
baby it’s in your nature”, a few lines from the song refers to women being
alike animals. By having the women in his video almost naked, he has strengthened
the ideas and thoughts of women being at the same status as an animal since,
animals do not wear clothes as well. If women are like animals, Robin Thick’s
message would also indicate that women need to be tamed and controlled but, by
who? Robin Thicke had indicated the dominate discourse of men being superior to
women and therefore, males will be the ones to tame females.
Not only are some
of the lyrics demeaning but, also many of the lines are very hurtful to raped
victims. Victims of rape have made many complains after the song has started to
play on the radio and soon progressed to becoming famous. In the link below, it
is said that the victimizers in many rape crimes have used the exact lines
written in the song towards their victims. “I know you want it, but you’re a
good girl, the way you grab me, must wanna get nasty”, relates to sex and
consent. Many rape victims do not give proper consent before being forced to
have sex. It is assumed by rapists that nothing is being forced on instead, it
is wanted. This would mean that the song is somehow agreeing that it is fine
for rapists to use these lines towards their sufferers. Since celebrities have
a high status, they have the power to influence the minds of their listeners
and fans. The song Blurred Lines
sends a negative message to listeners and can be a factor leading to the encouragement
of rape and domestic violence crimes.
Still not understanding the negative impact
of this song? Another way to see the bad influences omitted would be to view
the song with a different lens. From a
male’s perspective, we can change up the sex of the singer to a female, with
male back up dancers. Will the different version of the song have a different
impression on fans and listeners?
Only by watching a female’s version of this
song, can we start to realize the many things that are wrong with the song Blurred
Lines.
- What are your thoughts and feelings towards the song after watching the women version?
- How does your thought differ from the feelings of the original video?
- Do you think its right for women to be to be viewed to society, as they are portrayed in Robin Thicke's video?
Link to raped victims:
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Ms. Huynh. I will start off by answering your last question. I believe that its right for women to be viewed to society like in Robin Thicke's video. I am only saying this because the media texts that I have consumed have been embedded into my mind, that it is normal for women to act that way. Dominant discourse has had a profound effect on society telling its viewers that being half naked and good looking is the way to go. All sorts of media texts ranging from films to even YouTube videos like Robin Thicke's are telling us what society is expecting from its females. Additionally, good thing everyone interprets media texts and their messages differently. Some may say what we see on TV as stupid or normal. Being able to deconstruct a ad or music video is a good ability giving you, the viewer a better interpretation of what the ad is displaying. It's normal for females to be presented in society like in Robin's video.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, if you look at this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzutyW2B_KE you will see what Victoria Secret is telling its viewers. Being slim and half-naked is okay and normal in this situation. You be the judge, do you think VS has gone past the line of telling its viewers/ consumers that being half naked and slim is a must?
DeleteI understand what you are trying to say but, I still don’t believe that what Robin has promoted in his song “Blurred Lines”, is the correct way to see all women. Yes the media has a lot to do with manipulating the minds of people but, that doesn’t mean you should be easily drawn into believing everything that is said and shown in the media. As a woman, I would never want men to think its ok to own me and control me in any way. Women are just as good as men and deserve proper respect. Also being “half naked and good looking” is not the only “way to go”, a women can be smart and conservative and still be admired. Sometimes beauty is not only appearance but, skin deep Mr. Dina.
DeleteGreat article, Kristina. I've seen blog posts about the issue before, and I wish more people were aware of the message behind this song. It's horrible that having women stripping and dancing in a music video or otherwise, while men are leering at them, is considered "normal". We've seen the same things happen in countless rap/hip-hop videos as well. The fact that it's occurring all the time, without any major backlash, just cements the fact that through the eyes of society, we're defined by our bodies and not by anything else. Here is a link to another music video [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKNcuTWzTVw] where similar to the video you posted, the roles are switched. It's a lot more awkward than sexy, which is a clear indicator that there's a double standard. @Endrit - just because something is "normal", does not mean it's right.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you Rebecca. Many people do not realize that some of the messages promoted in media can be offensive to certain groups of people and can not be understood until the roles are switched around.
DeleteAs for my reaction towards such an issue, i would like to include that we all know that media has influence over the majority of today's generation. Just like we realize that media controls us and embeds negative stuff into out minds, i think there are also a many others that think the same. To explain further, just like we understand that media affects us negatively, there is a possibility that many other young teenagers understand that too and discuss about these issues among each other like we are right now. To answer the third question, i would like to say that it is now a norm for music industry to produce songs like these which degrade women in a higher degree and it is not right for women to be presented this way. Women have always been considered an inferior sex than males, and to reverse this we would have to protest against media texts such as, Robin Thicke's video. Sadly, the reality is that this won't change until men protest against media WITH women and stand to support women. Until this takes place, we can not do anything else to change the image people have of women today.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with a few on the grounds that, women should not be portrayed like they are in Robin Thicke's video. Not all women are portrayed as such. Also I do not believe it is a matter of media embedding such thinking in our minds, it is based more on what we choose to believe and accept something as. Kristina, I think if more people look at these remakes of music videos or any other type of media that have to do with role reversals, it has the potential to change the many views out there. I believe women need to be respected more by the media and not be used as props and icons.
ReplyDeleteI found it quite humorous after watching the parody and I'm not sure if this was the intention of the video. Since the original draws such an image towards women, switching the roles of the cast in the video just shows how "funny" it is, when women take the place of men. I agree with Lauren that it could change the perspective of people who would watch the video, but it would probably take wiser or more serious people to understand the message of the parody.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I believe that this video is inappropriate. it is giving people wrong messages about how woman are being portrayed in media. The truth is , since we have been consuming large amounts of media, this has become embedded in our minds. To give you a better example, Robin Thicke's video received over millions of views. And out of those millions of views, only a small fraction of people realized that this is inappropriate while the rest think of this as normal. the only way this situation can be solved is if we come together and think of ways to stop portraying woman as sex icons on media.
ReplyDeleteAfter seeing the uncensored version of "Blurred lines" i was startled at what pop singers can get away with. Robin Thicke has really tried hard to make women look like objects in his song with lyrics called women something along the lines of wild animals. The woman version of the song is just genius, it shows everything wrong with the song with subtly.
ReplyDeleteHow Robin Thicke portrays women in this video is just wrong, they show no emotion at all. They are like slaves stripped of all individuality, no even close to reality. The popularity of this song just shows the ignorance of people.
I personally believe that woman have been portrayed in a negative and a inappropriate way in this song since it shows many disturbing scenes where woman are half nude . Also, to answer your last question, I think it is not right for woman to be portrayed as they are in the Blurred lines video since it shows that woman are being degraded in a way. Also, many audience find the song itself containing certain inappropriate messages targeting woman. To add on, the media should set their limits on what to show on and what not.
ReplyDelete