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AIBU?

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To think we should revoice sexist songs?

53 replies

PyongyangKipperbang · 14/03/2025 23:02

I will start with "Ain't no pleasing you" by Chas and Dave.

Written from a mans pov about a horrible wife. But listen to it again sung by women......

OP posts:
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Sometimeswinning · 15/03/2025 10:31

Diningtableornot · 15/03/2025 08:28

I think OP is being misunderstood by some posters. She said that women should sing songs which were written by men complaining about women. Not that the words should be changed.

This reminded me of TLC no scrubs and there was a song done from the man’s point of view called no pigeons. Completely inferior but this was my first thought on the op.

HRTQueen · 15/03/2025 10:06

SwanOfThoseThings · 15/03/2025 09:51

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Joleeeene
You're welcome to my cheating bastard man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Joleeeene
He's on the doorstep, collect him when you can

brilliant

Next verse

He’ll spin those lies again and again
while hitting on all of your friends
And telling you his love for you is true

but theres that nagging feeling again
he ain’t being honest and warnings from your friends
You’ll be so confused you won’t know what to do

pinkdelight · 15/03/2025 10:04

This makes me think of those terrible covers from TV talent shows and The Traitors where women do terrible breathy versions of bombastic songs with babyish voices. I don't think that would help at all. Nor do I think people generally want to listen to songs to enjoy a feminist critique of misogynistic lyrics. What you're talking about could be part of some thought exercise or (lightweight) academic study but it's fairly pointless in terms of people's music consumption. It's also not really where people's attitudes to women come from, though of course it can reflect and feed back into the wider culture.

Better to just have more female voices now making their own music, which we do have. Music is one of the better forms for this as it's relatively easy/cheap to make and disseminate music now, whereas films for example are much harder for female makers to get much of a platform in, with a few (very exceptional) exceptions.

But just to humour your thought experiment, the song which made me most go WTF sexism why is 'Some Girls Will' by Racey from the 1970s. I don't think that it massively influenced anyone, but it definitely captures a moment in time. However I think a woman singing it could be weirdly appealing for the wrong kinda guy so this is where your idea breaks down. What if it doesn't make men question anything but just comes across as on side and titillating?

SwanOfThoseThings · 15/03/2025 09:51

HRTQueen · 15/03/2025 09:40

I want someone to record Jolene telling her she is welcome to him as he is a waste of her (the singers) time

not begging them to stay away or warning them

I think Dolly Parton would do this fantastically with a glint in her eye

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Joleeeene
You're welcome to my cheating bastard man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Joleeeene
He's on the doorstep, collect him when you can

Lurkingandlearning · 15/03/2025 09:47

maddening · 15/03/2025 09:39

Are you going to revoice the current rap and similar stuff which talks about whores, bitches and sexualy explicit stuff which regressively depicts women as sex objects?

Edited

Paloma Faith did

alwaysdeleteyourcookies · 15/03/2025 09:46

BananaNirvana · 15/03/2025 05:21

What fresh hell is the word “memoryhole”?? What on earth does it mean? 😳

It's no fresh hell. Orwell thought it up long ago. 1984 should be required reading.

Lurkingandlearning · 15/03/2025 09:45

One of my favourite Paloma Faith songs is Sexy Minx, which is her revoicing Akon’s Sexy Bitch.

Would like to revocabularise revoicing, though.😬

cheapskatemum · 15/03/2025 09:45

Diningtableornot · 15/03/2025 08:28

I think OP is being misunderstood by some posters. She said that women should sing songs which were written by men complaining about women. Not that the words should be changed.

Now I understand what OP is suggesting, I would love a female comedian who can sing to do a version of Jake Thackeray’s “On again on again on again” song.

Riverswims · 15/03/2025 09:44

what? All of them? YABU

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 15/03/2025 09:42

BlondiePortz · 15/03/2025 00:15

So why not make new songs, why does the past need to be rewritten do modern people not have enough brain cells to create new content and realise they don't have to change what had happened before but can use their imagination and create new things

Do people really need all their thinking done for them?

Errm, yup, a lot of people need others to think for them.
How else do you expect them to form an opinion 🤔 😂

maddening · 15/03/2025 09:41

And no - sexism is not beaten by carrying out reverse sexism

cheapskatemum · 15/03/2025 09:41

RockItLikeRocketFuel · 15/03/2025 00:44

What do you mean by "revoice"? Get Rory Bremner to sing them as John Motson? I don't see how that would help.

🤣

HRTQueen · 15/03/2025 09:40

I want someone to record Jolene telling her she is welcome to him as he is a waste of her (the singers) time

not begging them to stay away or warning them

I think Dolly Parton would do this fantastically with a glint in her eye

Worldgonecrazy · 15/03/2025 09:40

5128gap · 15/03/2025 07:44

There are some songs that are creepy and weird or otherwise inappropriate. Revoicing changes them into something completely different that we can enjoy. I give you 'girls just wanna have fun'.

Just came on to say this. Cyndi was a great feminist in her younger days, now sadly the need to conform has dulled her edge.

maddening · 15/03/2025 09:39

Are you going to revoice the current rap and similar stuff which talks about whores, bitches and sexualy explicit stuff which regressively depicts women as sex objects?

ConnieHeart · 15/03/2025 09:36

5128gap · 15/03/2025 07:44

There are some songs that are creepy and weird or otherwise inappropriate. Revoicing changes them into something completely different that we can enjoy. I give you 'girls just wanna have fun'.

Yeah, the original plan for that song was about a man wanting to have sex with lots of women wasn't it?

Els1e · 15/03/2025 09:31

Diningtableornot · 15/03/2025 08:28

I think OP is being misunderstood by some posters. She said that women should sing songs which were written by men complaining about women. Not that the words should be changed.

Thanks for clarifying. Sorry I misunderstood. Then, yes, women, men, trans etc can sing songs that were originally written for another sex.

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 15/03/2025 09:18

The songs of the past pale into insignificance when you hear some of the stuff written in the last 30 years which objectifies women in the most revolting terms.

MidnightGloria · 15/03/2025 08:42

No. I don't like or listen to sexist songs, whether old-fashioned or the modern bitches and hoes variety. There's plenty of other music out there, better to leave the past in the past and look at it in context.

I don't agree with 'updating' old literature either. If you don't like something from the past, ignore it. Create something new that does reflect your values, or support the people who do.

cait967 · 15/03/2025 08:41

Well I’ve just read the words to that song. It’s not about a woman or a man it’s about a bad relationship. If you had just shown me the lyrics I would have guessed a woman sang it.

Dita73 · 15/03/2025 08:36

You’re being ridiculous

HelenWheels · 15/03/2025 08:36

initially i thought you meant rejoice

OneFineDay13 · 15/03/2025 08:35

No just leave it

HardyRaven · 15/03/2025 08:34

PyongyangKipperbang · Today 01:34 I am 52 years old, I am sick of living in a world where only mens voices are heard. Its been all of my life.

I'm 4 years younger than you. Did the 90s and the likes of Alanis Morrisette and Courtney Love completely pass you by???

Even the Spice Girls spoke up for women 🤷‍♀️

Edited to add quote

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