The Controversial Ladies of Country Music

In class today we discussed all of the misogynistic themes that you find in rap music, and, as someone brought up, in country music as well. I think that its safe to say that you can find themes of misogyny and prejudice in really any genre these days. Certainly there are common themes in country music. Someone once said that there are only three themes possible for a country song: beer, women, or beer and women. While we could choose to be critical of the genre and say that country music teaches women to be belittled by men, to love wearing daisy dukes, to drink beer like water, and to be submissive to their horse riding, tractor using husbands, I think that the message that female country artists are sending is totally different and rarely acknowledged. 

Several female country artists have been made famous by writing songs that challenge male authority, and take the lead. Carrie Underwood is a hugely popular artist- one of her recent hits is entitled "Before He Cheats" and tells the story of a girl, betrayed by her boyfriend, who gets even in an entirely physical and revengeful way. The funny thing is that in this song, Underwood defies the stereotypes of weak women, who are caught up in emotions and too fragile to do anything physical or violent- she keys his truck, takes a bat to the windshield and headlights, slashes his tires- her response is so typical of what a male would do.

Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" Music Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaSy8yy-mr8

Tons of other female country artists have written songs that talk about murdering their abusive husbands, surviving in tough times, getting rid of boyfriend who perpetuate unhealthy relationships.

List of controversial country songs by female artists: http://www.engine145.com/20-most-controversial-songs-by-women/

 

 

They're empowering and not at all stereotypical. I think that its easy to look at any genre and see the negative, but you have to look at the counter-examples as well. Even something as trivial as Taylor Swift's country-pop sensation "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" seems silly and just fun, but when you listen to the lyrics its about a girl finally taking a stand for herself: 

"We are never ever ever getting back together
You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me
But we are never ever ever ever getting back together" 

Miranda Lambert is another example, her song "Baggage Claim" says it clearly: 

"Behind every woman scorned is a man who made her that way
Go on and take your little business trip with that sweet little habit
That you can't kick
You better call your momma when you get to town
Cause I ain't gonna be hangin' around"

Miranda Lambert "Baggage Claim" Music Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1M7pCS6Jpho

Maybe the real question that we should be asking is why is it that we constantly look for examples of women being discriminated against or demeaned? Are we perpetuating the stereotype by making an issue out of these examples?