Alanis Morissette's Today

Alanis Morissette, a singer of the 90's, has always been one of my favorite artists. Her songs are unlike anything you hear today. In support of Marianne Williamson, a female running for a seat in Congress, Alanis wrote and recorded "Today." The general message of the song is the goal to get our nation back together because we are no longer united ("start the mending of our union"). Some of the influential lines of the song are "activate our nation" and "ignite our generation." People are not as involved in politics as they used to be and this Alanis wants to do something about it. Younger generations, especially, need to be getting more involved (myself included). This song is encouraging because Alanis is standing behind and rooting for another female. The message behind the message is women supporting women, because typically women are competition for other women.

Beyonce's Flawless

I'm out that H-town coming coming down
I'm coming down, drippin' candy on the ground
H, H-Town, Town, I'm coming down
Coming, coming down, dripping candy on the ground

I know when you were little girls
You dreamt of being in my world
Don't forget it, don't forget it
Respect that, bow down bitches (Crown!)
I took some time to live my life
But don't think I'm just his little wife
Don't get it twisted, get it twisted
This my shit, bow down bitches
Bow down bitches, bow bow down bitches (Crown)
Bow down bitches, bow bow down bitches (Crown)
H-Town vicious
H, H-Town vicious
I'm so crown crown, bow down bitches

I'm out that H, town, coming coming down
I'm coming down, drippin' candy on the ground

H, H-town town
I'm coming down
Coming, coming down
Drippin' candy on the ground

We teach girls to shrink themselves
To make themselves smaller
We say to girls,
"You can have ambition
But not too much
You should aim to be successful
But not too successful
Otherwise you will threaten the man."
Because I am female
I am expected to aspire to marriage
I am expected to make my life choices
Always keeping in mind that
Marriage is the most important
Now marriage can be a source of
Joy and love and mutual support
But why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage
And we don't teach boys the same?
We raise girls to see each other as competitors
Not for jobs or for accomplishments
Which I think can be a good thing
But for the attention of men
We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings
In the way that boys are
Feminist: the person who believes in the social
Political, and economic equality of the sexes

You wake up, flawless
Post up, flawless
Ridin' round in it, flawless
Flossin' on that, flawless
This diamond, flawless
My diamond, flawless
This rock, flawless
My rock, flawless
I woke up like this
I woke up like this
We flawless, ladies tell 'em
I woke up like this
I woke up like this
We flawless, ladies tell 'em
Say I look so good tonight
God damn, God damn
Say I look so good tonight
God damn, God damn, God damn

Momma taught me good home training
My Daddy taught me how to love my haters
My sister told me I should speak my mind
My man made me feel so God damn fine, I'm flawless!

You wake up, flawless
Post up, flawless
Riding round in it, flawless
Flossing on that, flawless
This diamond, flawless
My diamond, flawless
This rock, flawless
My rock, flawless
I woke up like this
I woke up like this
We flawless, ladies tell 'em
I woke up like this
I woke up like this
We flawless, ladies tell 'em
Say I look so good tonight
God damn, God damn
Say I look so good tonight
God damn, God damn, God damn

Beyonce has always been an advocate for women's rights and this song reflects that. I adore this song so much because it discusses issues that I have always felt very passionate about. The speaking portion in the middle asks questions that I have been wondering what the answers are for years. It asks why men are threatened by a successful woman. Why can't women be just as successful as men? Oh, that's right, because "we teach girls to aspire to marriage," but why do we not teach boys the same? This song does not put down the idea of marriage because it can be a great thing, but we need to be teaching our boys and girls the same thing. My favorite part of this song is when the term feminist is defined as "the person who believes in the social political, and economic equality of the sexes". Sometimes, people believe a feminist is a "man-hater" which is not true. All I want, which the song reflects, is gender equality while diminishing typical gender stereotypes. Beyonce addresses these issues with her catchy, upbeat tune.

"Here's Why Everyone's Mad About Beyonce's New Cover"

http://www.modamob.com/beyonce/here-s-why-everyone-s-mad-about-beyonc-s-new-cover.html

Here we see Beyonce being criticized for her outfit on the cover of Time Magazine for the issue of the most influential people. I am not really sure why it matters what she is wearing because I can appreciate Beyonce for what she is: a sexy, independent woman who speaks and sings about women's rights and girl power. The media cannot resist criticizing her for the outfit choice, but wouldn't they be just as unhappy if she were wearing a long dress that covered her body and shape?

What are your thoughts?

Mary J Blige's No More Drama

So tired, tired of this drama
No more, no more
I wanna be free
I'm so tired, so tired

Broken heart again
Another lesson learn
Better know your friends
Or else you will get burned
Gotta count on me
Cause I can guarantee
That I'll be fine

No more pain (no more pain)
No more pain (no more pain)
No drama (no more drama in my life)
No one's gonna make me hurt again

Why'd I play the fool
Go through ups and downs
Knowing all the time
You wouldn't be around
Or maybe I like the stress
Cause I was young and restless
But that was long ago
I don't wanna cry no more

No more pain (no more pain)
No more game (no more game messin with my mind)
No drama (no more drama in my life)
No one's gonna make me hurt again
No more tears (no more tears, I'm tired of cryin every night)
No more fears (no more fears, I really don't wanna cry)
No drama (no more drama in my life)
I don't ever wanna hurt again
Wanna speak my mind, wanna speak my mind

Uh, it feel so good
When you let go
Of all the drama in your life
Now you're free from all the pain
Free from all the game
Free from all the stress
So find your happiness
I don't know
Only God knows where the story ends for me
But I know where the story begins
It's up to us to choose
Whether we win or loose
And I choose to win

No more pain (no more pain)
No more game (tired of your playin' game with my mind)
No drama (no more drama in my life)
No more, no more, No more, no more
No more tears (no more tears, no more cryin every night)
No more fears (no more waking be up in the morning)
No drama, no more in my life

No more drama, no more drama
No more drama, no more drama
NO MORE DRAMA
NO MORE DRAMA
NO MORE DRAMA
NO MORE DRAMA
NO MORE DRAMA
No more drama in my life
So tired, tired of this drama

In this case, I feel the music video for this song is just as influential as the lyrics of the song. Mary J doesn't want any more drama, no more tears, no more pain. The music video addresses issues such as gang violence, drugs on the street, and domestic violence; all of which Mary J has been influenced by in her life. This song has a political influence because these issues are not just occurring on the streets in the ghetto. She addresses real problems faced by all different members of society. Then, at the end of the video, Mary J is in front of numerous television screens that are reflecting the aftermath of 9/11, including the war. She wants to be free of the drama, the war included.

GoldieBlox Commercial

http://www.upworthy.com/if-3-little-girls-did-this-to-my-house-id-do-everything-i-could-to-get-them-full-rides-to-stanford?c=bl3

Trust me, this is worth two minutes of your time. This is a commercial by GoldieBlox, whose goal is to inspire young girls to be whatever they want to be (including engineers). The commercial also includes a remix of The Beastie Boys' "Girls." Enjoy!

Pink's Dear Mr. President

I have always loved Pink for her "I don't care what you think of me" attitude, but she has really done it this time. Released in 2006, Pink uses this song to directly speak to the president and his administration, and she calls him out. She discusses abortion rights, gay rights, and his lack of knowledge of what it is like to live on minimum wage. Even though this song is directed at President Bush, I think it can be applied to many other politicians. Most men in Congress are very wealthy, not representative of the American life, and they just do not understand what life is like for the lower socio-economic class to work hard and come up short because the minimum wage is not a living wage.
Also, the abortion debate and gay rights debate is very prominent today, so it is great that Pink addresses both. However, she doesn't just say "what about that girl over there, you're controlling her rights as a woman." No. She says "what about YOUR daughter, you are taking HER rights away." Pink takes her "don't care" attitude and really makes a statement with this song.
Regardless of whether or not you agree with Pink, this song should be listened to and reflected upon before making any rash opinions. You have to give Pink credit for having the audacity to put a song like this out there for the whole country to hear.

Dear Mr. President,
Come take a walk with me.
Let's pretend we're just two people and
You're not better than me.
I'd like to ask you some questions if we can speak honestly.

What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?
What do you feel when you look in the mirror?
Are you proud?

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye
And tell me why?

Dear Mr. President,
Were you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
Are you a lonely boy?
How can you say
No child is left behind?
We're not dumb and we're not blind.
They're all sitting in your cells
While you pave the road to hell.

What kind of father would take his own daughter's rights away?
And what kind of father might hate his own daughter if she were gay?
I can only imagine what the first lady has to say
You've come a long way from whiskey and cocaine.

How do you sleep while the rest of us cry?
How do you dream when a mother has no chance to say goodbye?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Can you even look me in the eye?

Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Minimum wage with a baby on the way
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Rebuilding your house after the bombs took them away
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Building a bed out of a cardboard box
Let me tell you 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
You don't know nothing 'bout hard work
Hard work
Hard work
Oh

How do you sleep at night?
How do you walk with your head held high?
Dear Mr. President,
You'd never take a walk with me.
Would you?

Patti Smith's People Have The Power

"People have the power"......need I mention any other lyrics from the song? It is so easy to forget that this is a government "of the people, by the people, for the people". Today, the amount of voters are decreasing and people tend to go along with whatever Washington says without action. People have become complacent to the government. Where are the rallies appearing on national television? Where are the riots? Why isn't every American voting? Patti Smith utilizes this song to remind us that WE HAVE THE POWER! We are not a monarchy or a dictatorship. This is a representative democracy. If the representatives of the people are not effectively representing them, then the people need to speak up. For example, women occupy 18.5% of the seats in Congress,according to the Center for American Women and Politics. However, women account for approximately 50% of the citizens of the United States. THIS is not an effective representative democracy, but "people have the power" to change it. Patti gives us all a little reminder to speak up and take action for the good of our country.

Loretta Lynn's The Pill

You wined me and dined me when I was your girl
Told me if I'd be your wife you'd show me the world
But all I've seen of this old world is a bed and a doctor bill
I'm tearin' down your brooder house because now I've got the pill
All these years I've stayed at home while you had all your fun
And every years that's gone by another baby's come
There's gonna be some changes made right here on nursery hill
You've set this chicken your last time cause now I've got the pill
This old maternity dress I've got is going in the garbage
The clothes I'm wearing from now on won't take up so much yardage
Miniskirts, hot pants, and a few little fancy frills
Yeah I'm making up for all those years since I've got the pill

I'm tired of all your crowing how you and your hens play

While holding a couple in my arms another's on the way
This chicken's done for up her nest and ready to make a deal
And you can't afford to turn it down cause you know I've got the pill
This incubator is overused because you've kept it filled
The feeling good time's easy now since I've got the pill
It's gettin' dark it's roostin' time and that's too good to be real
Oh daddy don't you worry now cause momma's got the pill
Oh daddy don't you worry now cause momma's got the pill

Who knew that sweet little Loretta Lynn, our "Coal Miner's Daughter", wrote a song about birth control?!? "The Pill" discusses a woman's newfound freedom now that she has the birth control pill. No longer will a baby come every year. This woman is ready to go out in her "hot pants and a few fancy frills" because she is liberated. When this song was released (1975), the Supreme Court case Griswold v Connecticut ruled that it was acceptable for married couples to use birth control. However, many women may have been hesitant at this new development. Therefore, this song is powerful because Lynn expressed to women (in her situation) that she used the birth control pill and was happy with her decision. Loretta Lynn empowered a generation of women into taking control of their own bodies.

Introduction

From politics to music to history and more, female contributions to society are severely underrepresented. Flipping through our textbook, 33 Revolutions Per Minute, it is discouraging, but not shocking that only a few females are mentioned. History books, English books, and science are typically written by men and about men. This lack of female representation and acknowledgement is an issue that needs to be addressed. In this blog, I will discuss the music and political influence of female musicians in an attempt to highlight the impact females have had throughout history.