(1) Songs about LGBTQ acceptance have significantly impacted the way society views that microculture, for it was one that was mostly discriminated against or even unspoken in the past. Music is a medi

(1)

Songs about LGBTQ acceptance have significantly impacted the way society views that microculture, for it was one that was mostly discriminated against or even unspoken in the past. Music is a medium that allows people within a culture to connect with others through collective lyrics of sorrow, joy, inclusion or being an outcast. One can find their identity through music. Despite the clear links between music, adolescents, and identity issues, not much has been written about music in connection to homosexuality and “coming out (Aronoff 426).” There are now many songs that discuss the process of “coming out” and being proud of your sexual orientation. Lady Gaga’s Born This Way is considered an iconic “coming out” song for the LGBTQ microculture, with lyrics such as:

No matter gay, straight, or bi,

Lesbian, transgendered life,

I'm on the right track baby,

I was born to survive.

No matter black, white or beige

Chola or orient made,

I'm on the right track baby,

I was born to be brave.

When "Born this Way" came out, the lyrics felt like a shield against the insecurity gay people felt about not being accepted (Neary 2019). It is crucial in an interactive society for someone to feel like they are accepted into a certain group, even if that group is ostracized. Through song with gay acceptance such as True Colors by Cindi Lauper or I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross, the gay community can find that belonging and sense of self through music. Social interaction through song and music then is a proactive process of interjecting themselves into their community and society (Henderson 67). I am hopeful that this kind of music can influence gay adolescents into accepting themselves for who they are and loving themselves with confidence.” As Gaga says, “God makes no mistakes, you were born this way.”

(2)

The vernacular music I chose to examine is country music. More specifically, I want to examine the relationship between male country singers and the women they write about. As someone who grew up in Texas, I have listened to country music in the backseat of my parent’s car for a long time. Something I noticed once I got older, was the objectification of women in country songs performed by men. For example, “Country girl shake it for me girl,” from “Country Girl” by Luke Bryan, or “Slide that little sugar shaker over here,” from “Get Your Shine” on by Florida-Georgia Line. One song that explains this sensation perfectly is “Girl in a Country Song,” by Maddie and Tae. The lyrics go,

“Bein' the girl in a country songHow in the world did it go so wrong?Like all we're good for is lookin' good forYou and your friends on the weekend, nothin' moreWe used to get a little respectNow we're lucky if we even getTo climb up in your truck, keep our mouth shut and ride alongAnd be the girl in a country song.”

This song demonstrates the conservative gender roles popularized in country music. Women are to be beautifully seen, and never heard. These forced gender roles are particularly harming because most of the top country singers are men, despite women being making up 52% of country music listeners (Rasmussen and Densley, 2016).

Interestingly, there has been a shift in country music from the 1980’s to now. Older country music focused more on men being breadwinners and supporting their family. Now, country music is focused on men’s part in “hook-up culture” (Leap, 2019). Although both types of songs encourage traditional gender roles- I would like to argue that the later genre of country music is more demeaning, as women are no longer even worthy wifehood, but simply a good time on the weekend.

“Girl in a Country Song” by Maddie and Tae

IN 4-5 LINES, RESPOND TO THIS TWO DISCUSSION BOARD