Blog 6

So I was listening to a mixed cd in the car today, and this old 80’s song came on. It was Sheena Easton’s song “Morning Train” and it made me start thinking about women and music. The song is about a woman who loves her man who goes to work everyday and provides for her. It’s just a lovely little pop ditty. It would be easy to just say it is music so who cares, but I do care. Music does have power. Almost everyone listens to music on a regular basis, and there is always some kind of story or message in a song. That song was a perfect example of art that, at best, fails to recognize what kind of stereotypes it reinforces, or worse, it purposely means to convey a woman’s happiness being dependent upon a man who is a provider.

While listening to that song, I started to think about other artists that I enjoy, and what their music has to say. I have a strong affinity for Helen Reddy. Her song “I Am Woman” is great although almost cliché at this point, but its intent is great, as are many of her other songs. She uses her music to present complex independent women. The song “Best Friend” is all about learning love yourself and recognize your own worth as a person, not as someone’s spouse or partner. Another person I really admire is Nina Simone. She has so many beautiful songs, but her most powerful are forms of protest. She often used her music as a way to combat racism.

I can understand that people just want a catchy tune, and I certainly don’t think that music needs to be didactic; however, that doesn’t mean songs that reinforce patriarchy ought to be what we deem valuable. Below are some lyrics I believe represent art with political consciousness.


"I wish I could share
All the love that's in my heart
Remove all the bars
That keep us apart
I wish you could know
What it means to be me
Then you'd seeAnd agree
That every man should be free"

- Nina Simone, “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free”