ANONYMOUS singer tells us her views on SEXUALITY IN MUSIC!
Sexuality in Music
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of women dominating the charts worldwide, from Lady Gaga to Rihanna, one thing these female artists have in common? The sexual theme based in both their songs and music videos. But does this place pressure on other artists? Who feel they may need to conform to the change in society and increase their sex appeal to raise their popularity in this new ‘conventional’ way?
Emma Edwards, a solo artist commented: “To a certain extent, yes. Sex sells and gaining the male population’s attention with this cheap gimmick will always be successful. To a certain degree I do” feel pressure to conform to releasing sexual based music, “but I would never turn to that course of action as I’m confident in my abilities as a singer”
The music industry has changed rapidly over recent years; it has turned from a male dominant industry to a more equal environment. But has the growth and popularity in sexual based songs released by female artists helped form a more female dominant industry.
However, Adam Vygus from the band Page44 believe that women aren’t the only people objectified in the industry: “I think it is an issue across both sexes, but it is more apparent with female artists as they can get away with showing more flesh than males. These artists will have stylists who deliberately dress their artists provocatively for financial gain. It probably isn’t right, but if it gains the label and the artists more money then it will continue.”
Sexuality is seen as a taboo subject, which people usually don’t casually mention or show in public. However, we are surrounded by the music industry on a daily basis, mainly on the radio and technological devices to play music. Although swearing is usually censored when songs are played on the radio, sexual innuendos are still available for listeners to hear, a prime example would be Stooshe’s single ‘Love Me’.
In 2012, English girl band Stooshe released their debut single ‘Love Me’, however, the single was originally written a year before and was supposed to be called ‘F*** Me’. The original was very sexually blunt, in that the chorus explained the verses in a simpler term, but when the chorus was changed from ‘F*** Me’ to ‘Love Me’, the bluntness driving the song was changed into a large range of sexual innuendos, from ‘Do your thing and don’t be speaking, not unless it’s dirty, dirty, filthy dirty’ and ‘Don’t be taking your time, get it up, pack it in, blow my mind’. These particular lines are still available to be heard by people of all ages on various radio stations, in the supposedly ‘clean’ radio edit version of the song.
“The term ‘sex sells’ wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t true, more people watch music videos that are provocative and share them onto other because they want to see a bit of flesh” Mr Vygus continued, “With regards to the songs themselves being over sexualised, the majority of pop songs are about sex and relationships. It has been that way for decades! So again, if they didn’t write about sex in some way, they probably wouldn’t have much of a career”
Although this topic is debatable with all members of the public, who all have their own opinions and ideas concerning the subject, there is no doubt that sexual based music videos and singles will continue to be released as the popularity in these types of media remain high. People have become numb to the messages being shown in the videos and heard through the songs as they are so often received, they are now seen as a normal occurrence, in comparison to when people were less casual about the subject.
The pressure to conform will always be an issue people will have to deal with throughout their lives and in some circumstances, the media will be involved, either negatively or positively; it’s simply a case of how individuals feel about it and how they receive the messages portrayed.
But sexuality is currently here to stay with the increasing popularity in the charts, so let’s see if this movement will continue for generations to come.
By Rebecca Edwards
Exclusive video showcasing different ways sexuality is portrayed music and artists which represent sexuality in different ways.
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