The Evolution of Female Sexuality Through Music
As someone deeply interested in the intersection of music and culture, I have taken a keen interest in the evolution of female sexuality in the music industry throughout history. While I do not hold formal qualifications as either a certified historian or clinical sexologist, I curated a sequential catalog of songs exploring this subject. Drawing from personal experience and research, I have compiled a list of tracks that speak to how female sexuality has been represented, celebrated, and even subverted in popular music over time.
Dirty blues,
also called bawdy blues, constitutes a subgenre of blues music that addresses
socially prohibited and vulgar topics commonly related to sexual activities.
This subgenre's lyrical content deviates from the conventional "love
song" themes and instead portrays controversial and often considered taboo
subject matter. This music genre is characterized by a fast-paced tempo and
rhythm conducive to dancing like the music commonly played at social gatherings
or speakeasies. The music is usually performed by female artists who
incorporate sexual innuendos to convey their message in their songs. The songs
utilize a literary device called double entendre, where the lyrics express
themselves indirectly rather than being straightforward about their feelings or
the image they want to convey. This is similar to the way James Bond speaks in
his movies. An example of this can be seen in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
when Bond is disturbed by a phone call while in bed with a Danish girl. He
tells Moneypenny he is busy "brushing up on a little Danish."
Similarly, a Dirty blues song I have attached above, "He's Just My
Size" by Lillie Mae, uses a double entendre to express its meaning. The
lyrics say, "I met a man last night, and I've taken him home with me to
bake my cakes and pies" and "Put your banana in my fruit
basket." These phrases and words have two different meanings, and the
listener can interpret them differently.
Moving forward to the 1970s, popular culture was rife with sexual themes and innuendos that were considered risqué for their time. One famous example was Anita Ward's hit song "Ring My Bell." In fact, according to the book "The Slanguage of Sex: A Dictionary of Modern Sexual Terms" by Brigid McConville, published in 1984, the song's lyrics and suggestive undertones were enough to raise eyebrows and spark controversy among some listeners.
In 1974, Betty
Davis entered the music scene and quickly became the queen of funk. Her
music was characterized by assertive lyrics laced with desire, and her stage
presence was electrifying. One of her most memorable songs features the lyrics,
“I used to beat him with a turquoise chain, yeah," a line highlighting her
gutsy approach to music. Her
sexually aggressive stage persona prevented her from performing on US
television despite her success in Europe. The singer's distinctive hoarse vocal
quality imbues her songs with intense emotion, leaving a deep impression. Her
style is reminiscent of a funk interpretation of the iconic rock and
roll legend Janis Joplin. Her mysterious persona, created by her enigmatic
voice and sexually explicit lyrics, has been an inspiration for many artists
today.
In the early 1980s, American musician Prince created Vanity 6, a female musical group of three female members who performed in lingerie and sang songs with sexual, romantic, and fantasy themes. Vanity, the lead singer
of the female trio, was known not just for her vocal abilities but also
as a sex symbol due to her looks and provocative attitude.
The 90s music industry was driven to promote female empowerment through candid and straightforward lyrics. Among such songs, "I Touch Myself" by the Australian rock band The Divinyls, released in 1991, stands out for its explicit discussion of female desires, frustrations, and the act of self-pleasure through masturbation. The song's unambiguous lyrics and open portrayal of the concept made it a standout example of expression through music. After the lead singer, Christine Amphlett, died in 2013 following a long battle with breast cancer, a project was established in her honor. This project aims to organize educational forums that promote self-examination.
Although this list is not exhaustive, some significant examples are worth mentioning. These include Lil Kim, known for her bold fashion choices and provocative lyrics for many years. Madonna has been pushing boundaries with her music videos and performances for decades. Lady Saw, a Jamaican dancehall artist, has been celebrated for her sexually explicit lyrics and bold personality. Other notable figures include Janet Jackson, who has incorporated themes of sensuality and sexuality into her music and public image, and Rihanna, who is often praised for her unapologetic approach to her sexuality and body. Kiah's song "My Neck, My Back" has become a cultural touchstone for its explicit lyrics.
We find ourselves in an age where speech is unbridled, and seemingly innocuous things like macaroni in a pot and milkshakes have taken on sexual connotations from music. A prime example of this phenomenon is Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallions' "WAP," one of the most buzzed-about songs of 2020, topping charts in the United States. Despite its sexually explicit content, the song enjoyed immense popularity, mainly due to its provocative themes.
The ongoing
prosperity of artists who incorporate explicit lyrics into their music has
proven to be advantageous. Additionally, it is crucial to recognize the
importance of having access to erotica from a female viewpoint. I would like to
emphasize that embracing and expressing our true selves in a manner that we see
fit is essential and should never be stifled.
McConville Brigid and John Shearlaw. The Slanguage of Sex. Macdonald 1984.
Baumeister, Roy F., and Jean M. Twenge. "Cultural Suppression of Female Sexuality." Review of General Psychology, 2002, https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.6.2.166. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024.
"Double Entendre." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 29 Dec. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_entendre. Accessed 6 Mar. 2024.
Kellie, Dax J., et al. "What Drives Female Objectification? An Investigation of Appearance-based Interpersonal Perceptions and the Objectification of Women." PLoS ONE, vol. 14, no. 8, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221388. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024.
"Dirty Blues." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Feb. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_blues. Accessed 6 Mar. 2024.
"Betty Davis." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 26 Feb. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Davis. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024.
"I Touch Myself." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Feb. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Touch_Myself. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024.
HWA “Az Much Ass Azz u Want” Ruthless Records 1994
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Hi Olivia, I love the story behind the female industry of music. I love how female artists express their selves and their lives in ways men don't. I have never thought about how much women's music has changed over time. I really think they have always been about love and sexual needs or wants, but the only thing that has changed a lot is the style and the pace of the songs. The words are used differently as well. Rather back in the day, it was loving music, and now it is upbeat rap music with sexual content behind both.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the title my mouth dropped, awesome idea! I absolutely love this concept and I do love that you went into details about which genre and what year everything started to change. When I first saw the movie ‘Selena’ I was crazy about her. The moment she wore only a Bra that was bedazzled and wore pants in her performance changed history in Hispanic culture. She was a new singer and she was so young. I think it did embark a new societal look for females and their appearance mattered a lot. I think you did a great job on your post and you did touch into a topic that’s not really analyzed much.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your research, Olivia! Reading your post made me think about the many strong, riot grrl and alternative female musicians who tackled sexuality in their songs in the 90s.
ReplyDeleteArtists and bands like Fiona Apple, PJ Harvey, Veruca Salt, Garbage, Hole and Luscious Jackson made less overt mentions of sex in their lyrics, while Tori Amos's Silent All These Years was interpreted by many to be a song about rape or at the very least, a woman who is being used by a man for sex.
Alanis Morissette used her debut "You Outta Know" to reclaim her power after being humiliated by an older man (Dave Coulier, 33) when she was only 18. She also wrote "Hands Clean" about the way another older man put the blame on her for being "so mature for her age" as a reason for entering into an inappropriate relationship with her. Though a different approach, I'm glad she's been able to process the way she was treated through her music.
Bikini Kill ("Rebel Girl") didn't shy away from sexual lyrics in their music and even sang openly about lesbian relationships, which was still quite taboo in the early 90s. And Kathleen Hanna, lead singer of Bikini Kill, names Joan Jett as being one of her greatest musical influences. Joan's band The Runaways had their own huge hit in 1976 ("Cherry Bomb") that celebrated their place as young women (only 16 and 17!) and the power they held as sexual beings.
Fantastic post and topic! The explicit expression and sexuality of women in music has played a crucial role in shaping the industry and empowering female artists. I also think it is immensely important to acknowledge and celebrate the freedom of expression and creativity that women bring to their music, including themes of empowerment, sensuality, and personal experiences. By embracing their sexuality and being unapologetically themselves, female artists have broken stereotypes, challenged societal norms, and inspired listeners around the world. The diversity of voices and perspectives in music, like the women you shared, exploring their explicit and sexual sides, enriches the art form and encourages authenticity and self-acceptance. It's essential to support and amplify women's voices in music, allowing them to express themselves fully and contribute to the vibrant and evolving landscape of the industry. Bravo- thank you!
ReplyDeleteThis was such an interesting read and I can totally agree with it all! Honestly, I think that its scary crazy and out of hand in modern day to see the rise of Missing and Murdered Women, and how the way music could possibly relate to that because of maybe the wrong song being played at the wrong time or the stereotypes of women and music sometimes are dismissed or overruled. Interesting read!
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