Jolene, and other anti-feminist anthems

[StealthPolarBear]

Just to say this is a light-hearted chat thread.
I love jolene, sing it with a minor adaptation every time I'm cleaning the windows. I have no idea about the background, but it must come near the top of the least feminist songs ever!
Another which I've just heard is sheryl crow, strong enough. "lie to me, I promise I'll believe, lie to me, but please don't leave"
Brilliant song, awful lyrics :)
Any others?

That’s what I mean - I obviously sounded as if I was trying to have an argument when I really am not!

It’s just been one of those days.

OK, hope you sleep well.

Love jolene. Also to my shame really like gold digger by Kanye.

You said I was cheap you were the sale of the century has just popped in my head :)

I love Jolene and the story it tells. It is sad. But there's so much to read into it.

oncemoreuntotheniche.wordpress.com/2016/08/15/feminism-dolly-parton-jolene/

@StealthPolarBear

I can't stand losing you is utterly awful. It's the one that ends with the suicide threat, right?

That's the one!

The there is the other Police classic 'Don't Stand So Close to Me'!

But I like Stan too, Eminem . And that definitely ain't feminist. But it's catchy.

I love Dolly Parton and think is an absolute master of storytelling, and I’m going to disagree with Jolene being ‘anti-feminist’ as the protagonist of the song is appealing to the other women, and taking the man in the relationship out of the decision process, then it could be argued that it is actually a feminist song - the women will decide the future of the relationship.

Just a different take.

Oh yes, school child you are tempting me.
I've just read up about jolene. I get that and I suppose I had noticed it. All the power is in jolene hands. But Imit is a bit crap that her (dolly's) happiness depends on jolenes choices. I stand by that (see what I did there)

@StealthPolarBear

I've never listened to the lyrics of under my thumb, but I see now even from the title its not going to be a good one :)

It's a classic:

"girl I'm going to make you sweat....til you cant sweat no more. And if you cry I'm gonna push it some more'. Bit grim.

Most country tracks.

He hit me (and it felt like a kiss)

“More Than Words” is basically a man sex-pesting a woman, presented as a love song. It’s sung by a bloke so was never going to be feminist but is one that always grinds. So many supposedly romantic songs are actually quite rapey when you listen to the lyrics.

Mabel, but dolly's happiness depends on having her man. I get the rest but surely that in itself is counter to feminism (and general self-esteem) core messaging.

'Cater 2 U' Destiny's Child

Baby I see you working hard
I want to let you know I'm proud
Let you know that I admire what you do
The more if I need to reassure you
My life would be purposeless without you (Yeah)
If I want it (Got it)
When I ask you (You provide it)
...
Let me help you
Take off your shoes
Untie your shoestrings
Take off your cuff-links (yeah)
What you wanna eat boo? (yeah)
Let me feed you
Let me run your bathwater
Whatever you desire
I'll supply ya
Sing you a song
Turn the game on
I'll brush your hair
Help you put your do-rag on
Want a foot rub? (yeah)
Want a manicure?
Baby I'm yours
I wanna cater to you boy

Let me cater to you
'Cause baby this is your day
Do anything for my man
Baby you blow me away
I got your slippers, your dinner, your dessert, and so much more
Anything you want
Just let me cater to you
Inspire me from the heart
Can't nothing tear us apart
You're all I want in a man
I put my life in your hands
I got your slippers, your dinner, your dessert, and so much more
Anything you want
I wanna cater to you

[Kelly:]
Baby I'm happy you're home
Let me hold you in my arms
I just want to take the stress away from you
Making sure that I'm doing my part (oh)
Boy is there something you need me to do (oh)
If you want it (I got it)
Say the word (I will try it)
I know whatever I'm not fulfilling (oh)
Another woman is willing (oh)
I'm gon' fulfill your mind, body, and spirit

I promise you (promise you)
I'll keep myself up (oh)
Remain the same chick (yeah)
You fell in love with (yeah)
I'll keep it tight
I'll keep my figure right
I'll keep my hair fixed
Keep rocking the hottest outfits

When you come home late tap me on my shoulder, I'll roll over
Baby I heard you
I'm here to serve you
(I'm loving it, I'm loving it)
If it's love you need, to give it is my joy
All I want to do is cater to you boy

Oh I love more than words :(

@MabelPines

I love Dolly Parton and think is an absolute master of storytelling, and I’m going to disagree with Jolene being ‘anti-feminist’ as the protagonist of the song is appealing to the other women, and taking the man in the relationship out of the decision process, then it could be argued that it is actually a feminist song - the women will decide the future of the relationship.

Just a different take.

Yes.

And she also isn’t hating the woman, tearing her down or blaming her for the fact that she is attractive. Instead she appeals to her humanity.

I was watching an old TOTP when a song came on sung by a sad woman crooning to the camera, and it left me feeling cold. I thought it must have been written by a man, yep it was, these are the lyrics to
'I've never been to me'

Hey lady, you lady
Cursing at your life
You're a discontented mother
And a regimented wife
I 've no doubt
You dream about the things you'll never do
But I wish someone had a talk to me like I wanna talk to you

Ooh, I've been to Georgia and California and anywhere I could run
Took the hand of a preacher man
And we made love in the sun
But I ran out of places and friendly faces
Because I had to be free

I've been to paradise but I've never been to me...

Please lady please lady
Don't just walk away
'Cause I have this need to tell you
Why I'm all alone today
I can see so much of me
Still living in your eyes

Won't you share a part
Of a weary heart that has lived a million lives

Ooh, I've been to Nice and the Isle of Greece
When I sipped champagne on a yacht
I moved like Harlow in Monte Carlo
And showed them what I've got

I've been undressed by kings
And I've seen some things that a woman ain't s'posed to see
I've been to paradise but I've never been to me...

Hey, you know what paradise is?
It's a lie
A fantasy we created about people and places
As we like them to be
But you know what truth is?

It's that little baby you're holding
And it's that man you fought with this morning
The same one you are gonna make love to tonight
That's truth that's love

Sometimes I've been to crying for unborn children
That might have made me complete
But I, I took the sweet life
I never knew I'd be bitter from the sweet

I spent my life exploring
The subtle whoring
That costs too much to be free
Hey lady I've been to paradise
But I've never been to me...

I've been to paradise - never been to me
(I've been to Georgia and California, and anywhere I could run)
I've been to paradise - never been to me
(I've been to Nice and the isle of Greece
While I sipped champagne on a yacht)
I've been to paradise - never been to me

🤮

I really didn't want to get into this
But her happiness depends on having her man, and whether the other woman chooses to steal him

Surely ‘Who let the dogs out’ takes the medal?

I wish someone would come up with a catchy tune about actual canines, for all the radio and tv producers to use whenever there’s a segment relating to doggies. I can’t tell if they don’t know the meaning behind WLTDO, or do know and don’t care. Both are depressing.

I get very stabby when it’s played, or when I hear little kids singing it.

Think I’ll start composing a contra-version ‘Who invited all these micropenis guys to the party?’ in my head next time.

Anyway Dolly Parton is a feminist icon whatever one might think of some of her lyrics! Great woman.

What is the background? Or should I not ask! Awful and crappy anyway.

I've Been to Paradise, but I've Never Been to Me is terrible: travelling the world and having amazing life experiences counts for nothing besides being a housewife and mother

I've always found drove all night a wee bit creepy. Crept in your room, woke you from your sleep to make love to you, is that alright? Erm no

“More Than Words” is basically a man sex-pesting a woman, presented as a love song. It’s sung by a bloke so was never going to be feminist but is one that always grinds. So many supposedly romantic songs are actually quite rapey when you listen to the lyrics.

Yes! I was trying to remember the song! If you touched me you wouldn't have to say that you love me (that's not good enough) cos I'd already know.