When I heard that this song was number one in 2013, I got really mad because this song is so offensive, and many people don't realize it. I found it ironic that everyone exploded at Miley Cyrus's video for "Wrecking Ball" but not at "Blurred Lines," because putting your own body on display is obviously so much worse than having naked women parade around while spelling out rather *ahem* crude words in balloons.
Here are some of the lyrics:
"Okay now he was close, tried to domesticate you
But you're an animal, baby it's in your nature
Just let me liberate you"
These words make Robin Thicke basically sound like a creep who doesn't know that no means no. He's saying that women are there for men's pleasure and that they're wild and dependent on men.
"I hate these blurred lines
I know you want it (x3)
But you're a good girl
The way you grab me
Must wanna get nasty"
These lyrics show Robin Thicke's idea that men are better than women and their needs or opinions don't matter. He's saying that there's no way anyone wouldn't want him. If any girl is grabbing at him, though, it's most likely to choke him.
"I feel so lucky
You wanna hug me
What rhymes with hug me?"
He totally read my mind, because at this point I'd love to slug him in the face.
Overall, this song to me is just another example of how media portrays women: as inferior sex objects that are there for men. The fact that a woman who displays her own body, such as Miley Cyrus, is labeled as a "slut" when things like this go unnoticed isn't right.
Later on in an interview, he said "What a pleasure it is to degrade a women." Media has made it okay to insult women and objectify them. If there had been men instead of women in the video, my guess is that people would have gotten really angry or the video would have been available to a limited audience. The sad thing is that videos like this are normal in today's media. Luckily, his misogyny hasn't been completely ignored. Many parody videos, such as "Defined Lines," have been made in protest.
Here are some of the lyrics:
"Okay now he was close, tried to domesticate you
But you're an animal, baby it's in your nature
Just let me liberate you"
These words make Robin Thicke basically sound like a creep who doesn't know that no means no. He's saying that women are there for men's pleasure and that they're wild and dependent on men.
"I hate these blurred lines
I know you want it (x3)
But you're a good girl
The way you grab me
Must wanna get nasty"
These lyrics show Robin Thicke's idea that men are better than women and their needs or opinions don't matter. He's saying that there's no way anyone wouldn't want him. If any girl is grabbing at him, though, it's most likely to choke him.
"I feel so lucky
You wanna hug me
What rhymes with hug me?"
He totally read my mind, because at this point I'd love to slug him in the face.
Overall, this song to me is just another example of how media portrays women: as inferior sex objects that are there for men. The fact that a woman who displays her own body, such as Miley Cyrus, is labeled as a "slut" when things like this go unnoticed isn't right.
Later on in an interview, he said "What a pleasure it is to degrade a women." Media has made it okay to insult women and objectify them. If there had been men instead of women in the video, my guess is that people would have gotten really angry or the video would have been available to a limited audience. The sad thing is that videos like this are normal in today's media. Luckily, his misogyny hasn't been completely ignored. Many parody videos, such as "Defined Lines," have been made in protest.
Yes! Preach! Great blog Chloe, and thank you for doing it. It fits in perfectly to Miss Representation. I really usually don't pay attention to lyrics, but one of my friends talked about how awful this song was lyrics wise, and I realized what he meant when I listened to it after he said it. This song is really saying that rape is okay and glorifying it, which is sick and wrong, and I will never support this song. Thicke has a lot of, shall we say, "Adult Content" in his songs, and it is disgusting and sick. He is making women objects that he can just do anything with, and that is not right. By the way, this blog was very well-written. Lots of wit and edginess.
ReplyDeleteWhat a relief it is to know I'm not alone, oh my goodness... I want to add that after their VMA performance, all we heard was hate for Miley Cyrus, but he was half of it, and I've heard/seen maybe one criticism of him for the same performance? He's glorified for actions that would be scandalous for a woman to do. Although I think sometimes he does things not necessarily because he 100% wants to, but his wife wants him to because it makes them more money... very shallow. Still, he could maybe stand up to his wife but no, he goes with it. Anyway, I totally agree with you, it's completely offensive and actually disgusting.
ReplyDeleteNice job Chloe, fight the power! I agree with what you have said along with Kweku and Natalie have added. The song is very old and I cover my ears now when I hear it because it's just SO ANNOYING! They repeat the same words over and over with the same offensive tone. Women are not an object for sex and the media has influenced men's outlook on that. It makes it even worst how some women flaunt their body with revealing clothing just to further support the a man's perspective of a woman. When Miley Cyrus steps out and stands out she's criticized as a "slut," like you said, and when this song comes on it's like, "It's so catchy!" We don't even know what the meaning is between the lines when the beats are taken away. I'm glad that you posted about this because it makes me realize how dumb I have been for singing to it when it was considered a "hit." Thanks for waking me up Chloe!!
ReplyDeleteHaha! That post was actually so great! Overall, the song is really about glorifying his ability to use some girl. It's a scary world we live in. I also agree with what you said about Miley displaying her body and being labeled as a slut. For some reason, it is ok and acceptable when the media displays girls in the way Miley displays herself, but as soon as Miley comes out and does it on her own she is labeled in horrible ways. Now, I'm not saying that how Miley shows herself is ok, but I definitely don't think that people who are constantly showing girls off as sex toys can freak out at her for treating herself how they treat her.
ReplyDeletei've never actually listened to all these lyrics but i hate this song it's annoying. Now i just hate it even more because it's degrading women and just no. This directly relates to Miss Representation and it's hard to believe this went sorta unnoticed. This is definitely worse than miley cyrus, i mean it's not okay for her to do all of that crazy stuff but this is just terrible. i also can't believe he said that in an interview... what the.. anyways nice post!
ReplyDeleteI’ve heard this song many times but never really taken the time to listen to the lyrics. I’ve hummed along to it before unaware of what the words were. I’m very disappointed in myself for not actually realizing what the words were but also in a lot of other people. People are criticized everyday but somehow this manages to slip through. This song is degrading and gross. I can’t believe that this has become a normal thing for our society but I would like to thank you for pointing it out.
ReplyDeleteI love this blog!!! its totally unfair for men to be able to degrade women in a widely popular song but when say miley cyrus parades around in not so appropriate ways the whole media community explodes and talks about her being a slut. Im not saying either is right at all but hwo is it ok and not mentionedas horrific whatsoever when man does it? taht's sickening. in no wonder women have low self esteem and don't want to go out into the world for powerful positions. Things like this happen and I hate it.
ReplyDeletealso im with you with the whole pitch fork thing! my mom loves this song and im just like you have to eb kidding me