Blurred lines - Grade: A- PDF

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Essay behind the song Blurred Lines...

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Jakab 1 Alivia Jakab English Comp II Language and Power 10 February 2014

Behind the Blurred Lines Robin Thicke’s song, “Blurred Lines”, was one of the most popular songs that was released in 2013. “Blurred Lines” went viral, hit the Billboard Charts at number one, and stayed there for twelve weeks. However, there has been some controversy over the derogatory song, claiming that it is actually about rape and assault . There seems to be blurred lines, within “Blurred Lines” . Thicke stated that the song was written for his wife, Paula Patton in honor of celebrating their 20-year relationship. They met in high school and have been dating ever since. He stated, “She’s my good girl, and I know she wants it because we have been together for twenty years.” This popular song is about a man who is interested in a woman, who is already in a relationship, yet he is convinced that she's making a mistake and that deep-down she prefers to be with him. He also refers to her as an "animal", which is what he has reduced her to in his mind. He wants her, so he see’s anything she does as a “sign” that she does want him. Ultimately, Robin Thicke’s rape anthem is about male desire and male dominance over women. The rigid definition of masculinity makes men unable to accept the idea that sometimes his advances are not welcome. Thus, instead of treating a woman like a human being and respecting her subjectivity, men sometimes believe a woman’s existence is nothing but for the pleasure of a man.

Jakab 2 There are several lyrics in the song that lead people to believe that this song is actually about rape and assault because it is so derogatory and sexual, and it sounds like consent is not being given. A major lyric in the song that Robin Thicke sings is, “I know you want it.” This is a term many sexual assault survivors report their rapist saying to them. Rapists have the mindset that their victim wants him/her even if they are saying otherwise, they will refuse to believe it . Victims are not the only people who can tell that this phrase is a bit pushy, and doesn’t seem to flow in a normal conversation. Thicke further sings, “You’re a good girl,” suggesting that a good girl won’t show her mutual desire. This becomes further proof in a rapist’s mind that she wants sex: for good girls, silence is consent and “no” really means “yes.” According to Sezin Koehler, an author of The Society Pages, “The implication in “Blurred Lines” is that because the woman is not responding to a man’s sexual advances, which of course are irresistible, she’s hiding her true sexual desire under a facade of disinterest . Thicke is singing about forcing a woman to perform both the good girl and bad girl roles in order to satisfy the man’s desires” (2). Thicke continues by singing, “The way you grab me, must wanna get nasty.” Men have a habit of thinking that if a girl is wearing a short skirt, or she dances with him, or even just smiles at him, that they automatically want to sleep with them. They tend to believe the female’s actions were her consent . They claim that she was “asking for it,” and almost all rapists believe this thought . Thicke then sings, “Do you like it hurt, do you like it hurt, what you don’t like work?” which is another part of the song that convinces people that this song has an underlying meaning. This lyric suggests that women enjoy pain during sex . Sezin

Jakab 3 Koehler states, “The woman’s desires play no part in this scenario, except insofar as he projects whatever he pleases onto her — another parallel to the act of rape: sexual assault is generally not about sex, but rather about a physical and emotional demonstration of power” (2). Famous rapper, T.I, raps a long verse in “Blurred Lines”, which includes sexual and graphic lines towards the end. He says, “Nothing like your last guy, he’s too square for you, he don’t smack that ass and pull your hair like that . So I just watch, and wait, for you to salute, but you didn’t pick, not many women can refuse this pimpin’, I’m a nice guy but you get it if you get with me.” T.I. is saying that he is waiting for a woman’s “salute,” or in other words, is waiting for consent. Yet, even if she says no, he knows most women cannot refuse him and want him anyways. Anyone can read between the lines of this song and see what it is actually being exposed. Whether or not it was Robin Thicke’s intention, there will always be controversy about that this song is truly about .

Male dominance over women has become a commonly talked about topic in our society. Whether it is at home, in the work force, or in this case, within relationships. On average men are about five inches taller than women and weigh almost half as much, with two to three times the body strength. Hormones play a big role in male dominance. Testosterone is the main hormone secreted by males. In men, high levels of testosterone seem to encourage behavior apparently intended to dominate or to enhance one's status over other people. Authors of Testosterone and Dominance in Men, Mazur and Booth argue, “Sometimes dominant behavior is aggressive, its apparent intent being to inflict harm on another person, but often dominance is

Jakab 4 expressed nonaggressive, it just depends on the situation . An individual will be said to act dominantly if its apparent intent is to achieve or maintain high status like to obtain power, influence, or valued prerogatives” (1). Society has made this notion that men have to be strong, confident and dominant if they want to be manly and respected. This sometimes causes men to take this notion to a whole new level if they feel they do not possess these qualities. According to, Hooking Up Smart, social dominance is not conversed by women, but it’s awarded by other men in a process of intrasexual competition for dominance and leadership. Men continually compete for dominance in social interactions with one another . The men who achieve the greatest rank among their peers may then display their dominance as a powerful advantage in attracting women for sex (Susan Walsh, 1). It is common that women tend to believe men typically think about one thing. They often have more of a desire to pursue women, and because they are so dominant, sometimes women don’t stand a chance at protecting themselves. However, evidence indicates that women prefer men who are high in dominance rather than men who are low in dominance as potential dates and rate them as more attractive. This does not support that rape or assault is in anyway okay, or that women are “asking for it,” but society has created this image of what a women looks for in a male partner, and men will do anything to become that image. To secure their own arousal, men need to feel convinced that executions of the woman’s arousal aren’t fake but a representation of actual sexual excitement . Just as they might suspect, if their real-life partner didn’t seem turned on by their lovemaking, that someone else might be turning them on, and they can feel cheated on . This is

Jakab 5 when male dominance really comes into play and can spike some anger among men . They will feel as if they need to be the source of a women’s arousal, and they will do anything to be the source, whether or not the female says yes or no.

It is the nature of how men view and perceive women and their roles in society that will ultimately determine how they treat or mistreat women. Women, because they lack such power and dominance in society, rarely challenge the fact that rape is a part of their existence; they just modify their behavior in order to minimize the chances of being raped. Men sometimes disrespect women and disregard their subjectivity and believe their whole existence is just to please them. When we do not hold men accountable for their aggressive views and behaviors, society exhibits an insensitivity and lack of concern for women. Whether or not if it was Robin Thicke’s intention to make this song about demeaning women, it is portrayed that way to most people. This song is a great example of how powerful language can be, and how words can mean not what they are necessarily intended too....