Brad wrote a song about the differences between guys and girls. It definitely brings to light a lot of the stereotypes we've talked about in this course. The song is called, I'm Still a Guy. I wrote some comments after each lyric stanza that points out a stereotype. What do you guys think about this one?
When you see a deer
You see Bambi * apparently women only view deer as cute Disney characters.
And I see antlers up on the wall * whereas men see them as objects for hunting
When you see a lake
You think picnics * girls like lakes so they can go socialize there
And I see a large mouth up under that log * guys like them to catch fish
You’re probably thinking that you’re gonna change me * presumes women think they need to change their men
In some ways well, maybe you might
Scrub me down dress me up * i guess ladies need to clean their man up
But no matter what
Remember I’m still a guy
When you see a priceless French painting *women see art
I see a drunk naked girl * men see porn
You think that riding a wild bull sounds crazy *women are timid
And I’d like to give it a whirl *men are wild
Love makes a man do some things he ain’t proud of * men don't like doing "girly" things for their lady
And in a weak moment I might walk your sissy dog
Hold your purse at the mall
But remember I’m still a guy
And I’ll pour out my heart
Hold your hand in the car
Write a love song that makes you cry *things guys supposedly assume women swoon over
Then turn right around
Knock some jerk to the ground
‘Cause he copped a feel as you walked by *protector role
I can hear you now talking to your friends
Saying yeah girls he’s come a long way
From dragging his knuckles and carrying a club
And building a fire in a cave * men are primal creatures?
But when you say a backrub means only a backrub
Then you swat my hand when I try * guys always go for the full nine in bed?
Well now what can I say at the end of the day
Honey, I’m still a guy
And I’ll pour out my heart
Hold your hand in the car
Write a love song that makes you cry
Then turn right around
Knock some jerk to the ground
‘Cause he copped a feel as you walked by
These days there’s dudes getting facials
Manicured waxed and botoxed
But with deep spray on tans and creamy lotioney hands * these are negative things? anti-man?
You can’t grip a tackle box *Ahh, cuz all men love to fish! riight.
With all of these men lining up to get neutered * Neutered!??!
It’s hip now to be feminized I don’t highlight my hair
I’ve still got a pair * guys with highlights dont have balls
Yeah, honey I’m still a guy
My eyebrows ain’t plucked
Theres a gun in my truck * ahh, another nice manly vision
Thank God I’m still a guy
What do you all think about this?
13 comments:
That is ridiculous! I couldn’t help but laugh reading through those lyrics because he is trying to reinforce such traditional roles of men and women. The lyrics made women seem helpless and dependent. I can’t help but think of the video that we watched in class and see how Brad is trying to keep up the “tough guise” front. I mean he’s singing about being violent through hunting. Killing animals apparently defines men in his eyes. He also mentions hitting men that disrespect his woman. He sings about being rugged and tough. Real men don’t keep up on their personal appearance because that’s too prissy.
Thanks to Comm380, I can’t listen to a song like this for entertainment anymore. I’m too busy dissecting all the distorted gender views out of it.
I have heard this song recently as well. At first, it made me laugh. However, after hearing it multiple times, it now kind of bothers me!
It is a prime example of the stereotypes society sets for male and female. No wonder people struggle when they "don't meet up" to society's standards!
This brings up a good question...How do we work to combat these stereotypes when they are all over the world we live in?
The lyrics make me laugh also. It sounds as if he is trying too hard not to be the metrosexual that there seems to be a backlash against. I say what's wrong with a man tha dresses nice and smells good, actually what's wrong with anyone that dresses nice and smells good. I don't think those should be negatives no matter your gender. Maybe it's a country western thing, but my first impression, I'm not really familiar with him, of Brad Paisly is that he would be a guy who doesn't have to prove his masculinity, guess I was wrong. Either that or it must sell a lot of songs. Which in a way compares to the negative images of gangsta rap, are they that tough just to sell songs and make money, because sometimes all that these are are images. But images based on stereotypes I'm afraid.
I have never heard this song before, but it doesn't surprise me. I doubt there are many popular songs that we listen to that do not show these stereotypes that we have been studying. I think its interesting that even country songs are affecting us. We watched dreamworlds and saw the horrible sexual abuse that is occurring in many rap and rock music videos. However, most people assume that country music is safe and free from the raunchy and racey, oversexualized stereotypes. However, is it just as dangerous to allow your child to believe these silly stereotypes? I know this isn't really offensive but wouldn't you want your childrn to grow up thinking they can be/do whatever they want? Wouldn't it be wonderful if in ten years there were equal amounts of male and female nurses or fire fighters. I think the process of developing a child's gender starts from day one and how the parents treat them. If children grow up listening to songs like this they will always be hindered by gendered stereotypes.
Sometimes I think that we take stuff too literal. Yes, I agree that stereotypes are being perpetuated, and unlike us, a lot of people in our country haven't been educated in a comm class that picks out the errors in these common stereotypes, however I think that as long as we recognize the fact that these are stereotypes, I think we should focus on the entertainment factor, rather than disecting it.
Sometimes I think that we take stuff too literal. Yes, I agree that stereotypes are being perpetuated, and unlike us, a lot of people in our country haven't been educated in a comm class that picks out the errors in these common stereotypes, however I think that as long as we recognize the fact that these are stereotypes, I think we should focus on the entertainment factor, rather than disecting it.
I agree with what you're saying too. I'm not going to start disliking the things I already like because they have stereotypes in them. However, we are asked to make observations about those kinds of things in this blog. I think a lot of people would agree that we just point out things in here that we personally don't necessarily have a problem with.
Is it a country song? I have never heard of this singer before. It's content is pretty ridiculous. But how is the gendered and stereotypical language in this song different from, let's say, a hip hop song which is doing the same thing? Maybe we are more able to tolerate these kinds of lyrics because it isn't saying bitch and hoe. But it is still perpetuating what it means to be "masculine."
i don't really have a problem with this song....I agree with some of the other bloggers in that i don't see how this song is any different than most of the songs out there...in fact this is probably a much "nicer" or cleaner version of a song that displays and talks about different stereotypes for men and women.
When I heard this Brad Paisley song I laighed super hard because I know SO many guys who are like that and several of their girlfriends who coincide with the song as well.
If you think about it though, the song is all about gender roles and expectations. Guys are rough and tough and should NOT be tanning and oiling their hands. Girls, are soft and innocent. These are the gender expectations in society and when people do not find themselves similar to this, they feel pressure to change. Change into someone they are not, just someone that society find acceptable.
I think it;s interesting how many of us dis not recognize these gender stereotypes as part of our socialization in society until this class; yet, here it is in the everyday music that we listen to.
And while many of us think this song is funny and a little over the top, it does in some ways represent an accurate depiction of how we perceive men and women. And, at the same time the song alienates those men and women who do not fulfill these highly gendered stereotypes.
Whenever I hear music or see television shows that attempt to hype the "tough guise" definition of masculinity, I start to question whether it is a form of backlash toward the more metrosexual image of masculinity that is pervading our culture as well as the increasing rate of acceptance for gay men. Either way, I think it reinforces a stereotypical view of masculinity that is no longer the norm in today's society.
I think it;s interesting how many of us dis not recognize these gender stereotypes as part of our socialization in society until this class; yet, here it is in the everyday music that we listen to.
And while many of us think this song is funny and a little over the top, it does in some ways represent an accurate depiction of how we perceive men and women. And, at the same time the song alienates those men and women who do not fulfill these highly gendered stereotypes.
Whenever I hear music or see television shows that attempt to hype the "tough guise" definition of masculinity, I start to question whether it is a form of backlash toward the more metrosexual image of masculinity that is pervading our culture as well as the increasing rate of acceptance for gay men. Either way, I think it reinforces a stereotypical view of masculinity that is no longer the norm in today's society.
Post a Comment