The Boyz
Show of hands: how many of you were fans of Boyz II Men in, say, jr/sr high? They were hot stuff in my little group back then. So hot, in fact, that our youth pastor felt it necessary to print up the lyrics to "I'll Make Love to You" and made us discuss them in youth group. His overall message being, of course, that this was not appropriate listening material for young people, considering the activities it was suggesting. OK, granted, but he failed to mention the more subtle, but just as dangerous messages....
A few months ago, I thought I'd look the old boyz up on imeem and listen to a few classics. I was shocked when I realized that their most popular ballads glorify dysfunctional relationships and are full of implicit sexism. How did I manage to block all of this out?
"On Bended Knee," for example, tells the story of a total schmuck who begs for his girl back. The jerk doesn't detail exactly what he did wrong (though, oh yes ladies, I'm sure we can guess). Rather, he just expects that begging and giving a sappy "heartfelt" apology will bring her back to his bed. Ew. "End of the Road" is even worse, with the singer patronizingly telling his girl she just doesn't "realize [how things work]" because "it's 'only' your first time."
Thankfully, I'm now able to recognize the outrageous over-the-top-ness of these songs, but wow, how scary that I absolutely loved them at 14, huh? I hate to be such an old fogey, but I'll bet the kids are listening to far worse today...
A few months ago, I thought I'd look the old boyz up on imeem and listen to a few classics. I was shocked when I realized that their most popular ballads glorify dysfunctional relationships and are full of implicit sexism. How did I manage to block all of this out?
"On Bended Knee," for example, tells the story of a total schmuck who begs for his girl back. The jerk doesn't detail exactly what he did wrong (though, oh yes ladies, I'm sure we can guess). Rather, he just expects that begging and giving a sappy "heartfelt" apology will bring her back to his bed. Ew. "End of the Road" is even worse, with the singer patronizingly telling his girl she just doesn't "realize [how things work]" because "it's 'only' your first time."
Thankfully, I'm now able to recognize the outrageous over-the-top-ness of these songs, but wow, how scary that I absolutely loved them at 14, huh? I hate to be such an old fogey, but I'll bet the kids are listening to far worse today...