Problematic Pop: From "Blurred Lines" to "Animals"

By Alex Wen on September 13, 2014

Last year’s pop scene was dominated by controversy from Robin Thicke’s hit single, “Blurred Lines.” The questionable song title and some suspect lyrics, such as “I know you want it,” paint a dominating male figure having his way with a submissive female. The accompanying music video and further comments from Thicke not only demonstrate that the music is misogynistic, but it’s convention as well. There was an onslaught of backlash, but it’s occasionally hard to pinpoint the blame. Thicke is clearly part of the problem, but so is the larger culture he participates in.

This year, Maroon 5’s latest single “Animal” starts with, “Baby I’m preying on you tonight / Hunt you down eat you alive / Just like animals.” Granted, on the scale of inappropriateness, it can be argued that Maroon 5’s lyrics are tamer than Robin Thicke’s, but they’re both key insights into the problematic nature of pop music.

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When male popstars sing about love and sex, their lyrical content often slips from “I want you” to “I deserve to have you.” It’s the same distinction between mutuality and dominance. By framing females as objects of affection and, in this case, prey to be hunted, it subverts females and their dynamic in a loving relationship. The masculine mentality of conquering women and justifying it by stating that that’s what women want often prevails in pop music. The female voice is silenced, and it extends to female popstars as well. Ariana Grande’s “Problem” is about Grande’s inability to stay away from a man, even though he’s not good for her. And the problem extends outside of the actual musical content.

Robin Thicke has been slammed for having naked women as props in “Blurred Lines,” but the issues are more commonplace than once a year, albeit more subdued. Women play eye candy roles in male pop videos, but in female videos too.

These selections aren’t particulars that stand out against the current, they’re anecdotes for bigger problems. It’s true that sex has been equated with animalistic characteristics since the dawn of the century, and it’s also true that in a three minute pop song it’s not practical to expect Shakespeare-esque explanations. Furthermore, there are always going to be pop songs that aren’t misogynistic and do treat women equally. And I dare say, men are also scrutinized for their appearances and such.

But with that all out of the way, it’s hard to look at all of pop music and not see the troublesome trends. When put into the context of our patriarchal society, where wage is not equal and “she deserved it” is still a valid rebuttal to rape, it’s clear that these misogynistic pop songs need to stop.

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Pop, more than any other genre, has the widest influence in contemporary society, it’s the very nature of the genre. Nobody really loves pop, but everyone listens to it. It sneaks into every facet of our lives through the radio, TV, ads and just by walking into any establishment. Pop is engineered to be catchy, these musicians have just as many marketers as they do producers. It exists the way it does because it reflects current societal tastes. When current tastes align with an atmosphere of misogyny and predatory attitude, there’s a problem. When young listeners take these things at face value and accept these conventions of masculinity and power as truths, there’s a problem.

This isn’t just a rant against pop. I actually like Maroon 5, Adam Levine has more talent than his music reflects. I just wish these popstars would use their platform for something greater. Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea, Maroon 5, Jason Derulo, they have the whole world listening to them, it’s time for them to make something worth listening to.

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