Sex in Music: Women Reclaiming Their Sexy Back
Chappell Roan, 26, is an American singer and songwriter. Source: @Chappellroan / Instagram
Content Warning: This article discusses sexual violence and harm against woman.
Sex and music: a duo as old as time, as inseparable as peanut butter and jelly, or perhaps more aptly - as scandalous as rock ‘n’ roll and rebellion. While Elvis’ hips may have once been the height of controversy, today’s music scene sees female artists taking the reins and redefining what it means to be sexy on their own terms, rather than letting a rapper have their say.
I’ll never forget strutting around my living room as a freshly 9-year-old after watching MTV and singing “like a virgin, touched for the very first time.” The shock on my mum’s face was a look that haunts me to this day, and the telling off, despite me not knowing what for, now makes a lot of sense. Despite stirring controversy in its time in 1984, the lyrics remain relatively tame by today's standards.
Gone are the days of subtle innuendos; now, bold lyrics and unapologetic confidence are the new norm.
In the early days of pop and rock, sexual themes were wrapped up in metaphors and coy suggestions. Take The Beatles' cheeky "Why Don't We Do It in the Road?" (1968). With lyrics like, "Why don't we do it in the road? / No one will be watching us," they managed to make a scandalous suggestion sound almost innocent. Fast forward to the late 20th century, and artists like Janet Jackson and Salt-N-Pepa were turning up the heat. Jackson’s "Any Time, Any Place" (1993) sizzles with lines like, "I don't care who's around / No, no, no, no," while Salt-N-Pepa's "Shoop" (1993) gets straight to the point with "Wanna thank your mother for a butt like that." These trailblazers combined infectious beats with bold messages of sexual empowerment and safe sex, redefining the landscape of music and sexuality.
Despite these strides, the music industry has long been marred by lyrics that objectify women, especially in bops that have a funky beat, but a darker meaning. Songs like The Rolling Stones' "Brown Sugar" (1971) and Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack" (2006) exemplify how catchy tunes can mask troubling messages. These tracks, while popular, perpetuate harmful stereotypes and normalise the objectification of women. ‘Brown Sugar’s’ vibrant chord progression and toe-tapping drum beat disguises the dark lyrical storytelling of African slave woman being r*ped in the American deep south.
In the world of contemporary music, some tracks stand out not just for their beats but for lyrics that stir controversy more than they hit the charts. Consider Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" (2013), where the distinction between flirtation and objectification becomes as hazy as a late-night text. Critics argued that its lyrics and video reduced women to mere objects of desire, igniting a fiery debate about consent and respect in pop culture.
Meanwhile, Kanye West's "Gold Digger" (2005) turns stereotypes on their head, portraying women as money-hungry opportunists, echoing age-old clichés with a modern twist. These songs aren't just catchy tunes; they're cultural flashpoints, sparking important conversations about gender dynamics, power play, and where entertainment crosses into exploitation.
In recent years, there has been a significant shift in how female artists approach sexuality in their music. Maybe it’s a coming of age kind of thing, and it finally sinking in the explicitness of lyrics, but the tone around woman as sexual beings feels a lot more self-proclaimed and oozes more confidence than ever before. Today's artists are not merely subjects of male desire but active agents of their own sexual narratives.
Chappell Roan is known for her unapologetically bold style, with songs like "Pink Pony Club" celebrating queer identity and sexual freedom. Her recent surge into the pop charts has trickled queerness and sexy music the industry. Roan sneaks in some naughty lyrics and references to queer love, “I heard you like magic, I've got a wand and a rabbit, so baby, let's get freaky, get kinky, let's make this bed get squeaky!” Isn’t it fun to sing about sex in a way that is empowering rather than derogatory?
One of many Disney channel legends, Sabrina Carpenter, is currently transitioning into an A-list popstar, rebranding from the ‘Girl Meets World’ actress to a beacon of pure class. The release of her last album solidified her step away from a childlike character, entering her into the world of a fully-fledged adult who enjoys the pleasures involved in intimacy. In “Nonsense,” she sings, "I'm talkin' hope nobody knocks / I'm talkin' opposite of soft / I'm talkin' wild, wild thoughts," alluding to her sexual appetite behind closed doors. To keep things fresh and fun, she even changes the lyrics of the outro at every show, giving fans a unique experience each time and even saucier content related to her life at the current moment.
Another queer baddie, Victoria Monét, very rarely shies away from expressing her sexual desires in pop music. The 2024 grammy best new artist seamlessly blends sensuality with empowerment in tracks like "Jaguar," where she boldly declares, "Supersonic pussycat / Just like a jaguar, silky black / So let me climb your wood like that / You got nine times to come hit that." These lyrics, while explicit, represent a significant shift in the portrayal of women's sexuality in music due to Monét's unabashed celebration of her desires, challenging the historical norms of women being passive or subdued in their sexual expressions. Plus, she’s queer and proud about it, saying in an interview that “music has been a playground for sexuality.”
“And some things I don’t even express in words will just come out in music because it’s on my spirit and soul to do so.”
Jenny Stevens, NME’s deputy news editor, insightfully observed that "music and sex have always been intertwined, reflecting the timeless truth that human experience is inherently sensual and has been, and always will be, expressed through art."
This reflection is now richer and more inclusive, amplifying women's diverse experiences and voices in ways that challenge traditional stereotypes predisposed of through generational views of woman.
Dr. Victoria Williamson, a noted music psychologist, told the magazine ‘Stylist’, that "Women often react more critically to sexual lyrics when reading them, but their attitudes soften when they listen or watch them in music videos." This disparity suggests that visual and auditory contexts play crucial roles in how sexual content is perceived, underscoring the nuanced relationship between media consumption and societal attitudes toward female sexuality. When female artists control their artistic vision, they redefine perceptions from mere objectification to empowered self-expression.
As listeners, it's imperative to embrace and support this evolution, recognising the transformative impact of these artists on both artistic expression and societal norms. They are not just making music; they are pioneering a new era where women's sexuality is celebrated, respected, and unapologetically embraced.
This exploration goes beyond a mere historical account; it's a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of equality in artistic expression. Whether through the provocative beats of Cardi B or the ‘HOT TO GO’ dance from Chappell, these women are leading a revolution in music—one that celebrates diversity, challenges stereotypes, and reshapes our understanding of what it means to be sexy in the 21st century.