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Original poster

Dodgy morals in pop songs

328 replies

Gahhhhereheisagain · 30/08/2023 19:24

I'll start...
Escape (the pina colada song)
I'd be leaving that Irish bar without him. What a tit.

OP posts:
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12
DrSbaitso · 02/09/2023 07:41

IceBlock · 02/09/2023 02:06

Not RTFT yet, but I always assumed Bobby Vee was from a father's POV.

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Nah. "Once upon a time, that little girl was mine, if I'd been true, I know she'd never be with you."

He cheated, she found someone else, he's heartbroken.

Clawdy · 02/09/2023 08:07

And Bobby Vee was 18 when he recorded it, so not likely to be from a father's viewpoint!

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 02/09/2023 09:48

Nah. "Once upon a time, that little girl was mine, if I'd been true, I know she'd never be with you."

He cheated, she found someone else, he's heartbroken.

Yes, the 'if I'd been true' line removes any ambiguity. Although it sounds like a sweet, cheery love song, he's basically saying "if you can't be the perfect infatuated boyfriend, I'll take her back off you - even though I'm a terrible cheating boyfriend too". What a lucky young lady, eh?

newnamethanks · 02/09/2023 10:00

It would be a lot simpler to just list the ones that aren't dodgy misogynist enabling chants lurking under the title of romance. Just one way of persuading women our role in life, is on our backs, legs akimbo, awaiting the attention of a prince. Or a pimp? That seems to pass for romance in the current US rap culture or whatever its renamed itself.

phoenixrosehere · 02/09/2023 10:01

Eglantiny · 31/08/2023 13:39

Apologies if this has already been mentioned but the Destiny's Child song me absolutely open-mouthed with shock when it came out.

It was released a few years after 'Independent Women' and 'Survivor' which were all about women's power, equality, and independence.

'Cater 2 U' was a complete U-turn, and I've always been very skeptical of their/Beyonce's "feminist" credentials ever since.

Isn’t feminism about choice though? In the song most of the lyrics are saying “Let me”, “I wanna”, it’s saying what they want to do for them and asking to do so.
It’s choosing to do these things because they want to.

phoenixrosehere · 02/09/2023 10:02

newnamethanks · 02/09/2023 10:00

It would be a lot simpler to just list the ones that aren't dodgy misogynist enabling chants lurking under the title of romance. Just one way of persuading women our role in life, is on our backs, legs akimbo, awaiting the attention of a prince. Or a pimp? That seems to pass for romance in the current US rap culture or whatever its renamed itself.

And the same in other genres of music including country and rock.

Totalwasteofpaper · 02/09/2023 10:04

KC and the sunshine band - Baby give it up

🙁🤮🤮🤮🤮

More like KC and the rapey predators

category12 · 02/09/2023 10:19

phoenixrosehere · 02/09/2023 10:01

Isn’t feminism about choice though? In the song most of the lyrics are saying “Let me”, “I wanna”, it’s saying what they want to do for them and asking to do so.
It’s choosing to do these things because they want to.

Show quote history

No, feminism isn't about choice: it's a political position about the advocacy of women's rights and equality 😁

You can absolutely be a feminist and take up a traditional sex-based role - like looking after your man like a doting 1950s housewife for your own reasons cos it's your kink or whatever - but it doesn't make it a "feminist choice".

I hate "Single Ladies" which is supposedly an empowering anthem for women, but "you shoulda put a ring on it" just makes me think it's about relationships being ownership for men. Gross.

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 02/09/2023 10:26

I hate "Single Ladies" which is supposedly an empowering anthem for women, but "you shoulda put a ring on it" just makes me think it's about relationships being ownership for men. Gross.

Yes, the use of the word 'it' is especially unpleasant, in amongst all of the rest. No mutual choice or agency in a romantic relationship, just going around seeing something that you want and bagsying it.

However, I do like the Thomas The Tank Engine version of the dance!!

Beyonce the Tank Engine

Single Ladies dancing to Thomas the Tank EngineI've noticed a lot of people reuploading this lately, so ummm oc pls do not steal?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8qaGcq8Ruk

category12 · 02/09/2023 10:34

Yes, it's IT that vexes me most.

category12 · 02/09/2023 11:04

In fact, I just went back and re-read the lyrics and it includes the lines:

Pull me into your arms, say I'm the one you own
If you don't, you'll be alone

😑😖

willWillSmithsmith · 02/09/2023 11:37

category12 · 02/09/2023 10:34

Yes, it's IT that vexes me most.

I saw the ‘it’ as her finger (put a ring on it) but the ‘if you liked it’ bit before that is a bit 🤨

greengreengrass25 · 02/09/2023 11:51

Single lady

I always thought it was imma single let as the diction isn't great

Boomboom22 · 02/09/2023 12:03

All the single ladies put your hands up.

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 02/09/2023 12:29

I saw the ‘it’ as her finger (put a ring on it) but the ‘if you liked it’ bit before that is a bit

But why would he only want her finger?! Actually, I don't think I want an answer to that question...

ShowOfHands · 02/09/2023 12:31

Extreme, More Than Words.

More Than A Little Rapey.

Anonnyno · 02/09/2023 13:00

Bizarre Inc - I’m Gonna Get You. Rapey and stalkerey:

Why waste your time?
You know you’re gonna be mine

I’m gonna get you baby
I’m gonna get you, yes I am

Repeated for entire song.

I’m not sure if it had been sung by a man it’d been allowed tbh 🤮

Debini · 03/09/2023 19:24

ShowOfHands · 02/09/2023 12:31

Extreme, More Than Words.

More Than A Little Rapey.

How? I don’t see it.

OMG12 · 03/09/2023 19:43

Debini · 03/09/2023 19:24

How? I don’t see it.

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I think it’s basically saying. It’s not enough to say “I love you” they need to shag the guy.

could be viewed as pressurising the girl.

chergar · 05/09/2023 23:29

ShowOfHands · 02/09/2023 12:31

Extreme, More Than Words.

More Than A Little Rapey.

I see it more like talk is cheap, treat me better by showing you love me (being kind, thoughtful, supportive) rather than acting horrible and just saying I love you like that makes it all better

orangeyeahthatsright · 06/09/2023 20:50

Thank Heaven For Little Girls by Maurice Chevalier... isn't dodgy, but can you imagine anyone trying to release a record called that nowadays!

orangeyeahthatsright · 06/09/2023 20:50

chergar · 05/09/2023 23:29

I see it more like talk is cheap, treat me better by showing you love me (being kind, thoughtful, supportive) rather than acting horrible and just saying I love you like that makes it all better

Show quote history

Me too.

beguilingeyes · 07/09/2023 07:03

On what planet is More Than Words rapey?

Krustykrabpizza · 21/03/2024 10:51

beguilingeyes · 07/09/2023 07:03

On what planet is More Than Words rapey?

When I listen to it I hear him telling her that she should sleep with him to prove her love, maybe I'm wrong though 🤷