Research Blog Post: Sex & Music
As the music industry has progressed, sex has become a more common place topic for songs and videos. In todayâs landscape, sex has become a central theme. It is written about today more than any other topic, and it radiates throughout all genres. If a song isnât about sex, then the video that accompanyâs it is hyper-sexualized. We live in a culture where sex is everywhere, and everything is much more sexualized, but this begs the question are we really more sexual now than in the past? Are the themes that we see present today the same as those from the past? Are we more sexual today, or are we more open with our sexual practices? This paper encompasses hyper-sexualization of songs, the change of the sex image from the past to present, and the use of men and women as sex symbols. The most helpful sources will be articles that present a case about changing sexual frontiers and sexual boundaries. In addition to these primary sources, music videos that illustrate the obvious change in public acceptance of riskĂ© videos and songs will help to show visually the change in overall presentation of sexual images and ideas. These together will help paint the picture that todays musical landscape pushes more sexual boundaries today than ever before. Â
Denham, Jess. "Maroon 5 new video 'Animals' criticised for promoting
sexual violence." The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2014. <http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/maroon-5-animals-music-video-attacked-for-promoting-sexual-violence-against-women-9770094.html>. This source looks at the hyper-sexualisation of music videos in often tasteless ways. It raises questions about the worth of content like Maroon 5's "Animal" and whether music videos should be rated like movies. This is relevant to the topic because it is the main anchor for establishing that todays content is becoming extremely explicit in nature. This article outlines the major flaws in the expression of modern artists ideas.Â
Yahr, Emily. "Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line and the evolution of sex
songs in country music." Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2014. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2014/10/06/jason-aldean-florida-georgia-line-and-the-evolution-of-sex-songs-in-country-music/>. This source gives an overview of sex in country music. Yahr demonstrates how country music has evolved to match the openness of modern social standards. It is a relevant source because it proves that sex is becoming a large theme in multiple genres, even those that seem above those ideals.
The Lonely Island. âI Just Had Sex.â Turtleneck & Chain. Universal
Republic, 2011. Music Video. Dir. Akiva Schaffer. YouTube. 17 Oct. 2014. Web. This source is a music video created by the artist The Lonely Island. It satires modern music and helps lend insight into modern cultures sexual encounters. It is relevant because it comedically illustrates, in the most low of terms, how sex is viewed by musicians and people. By reducing the song to satire, "I Just Had Sex" plainly shows the crude nature of sex themed songs.Â
Marvin Gaye. âLetâs Get it On.â Letâs Get it On. Tamla Records, 1973.
MP3. This source is a song created by the artist Marvin Gaye. It provides a comparison of sexual stigma of the late 20th centuth to that of the modern age. It is relevant because the lyrics open a window into the past appropriateness of sex in music. The song allows for discourse on the changing playing field that the music scene often is.
Jason Aldean. âBurningâ It Down.â Old Boots, New Dirt. Broken Bow
Records, 2014. Music Video. Dir. Wes Edwards. YouTube. 17 Oct. 2014. Web. This source is a music video created by the artist Jason Aldean. It shows a glimpse of alternative genres representation of sex. It is relevant because it is one of the songs mentioned in the Yahr article. This means that the video can be a visual representation of the themes discussed in the article.
Maroon 5. âAnimals.â V. Interscope, 2014. Music Video. Dir. Samuel
Bayer. YouTube. 17 Oct. 2014. Web. This source is a music video created by the artist Maroon 5. It illustrates how the music industry desensitizes the public to acts of sensationalism. This source is relevant because it is the focus of the Denham article. This video shows the violent images that Denham directly references making it a good reference material for the paper.