University Study Says Women Objectified in Country Music More Than Ever
Those who’ve been closely following the trends in country music over the last few years have had a sense that songs that objectify and denigrate women have been on the rise, but it was only anecdotal evidence that we could call upon to corroborate this claim. Now a study out of Texas Tech University in Lubbock has put detailed research behind the subject, and proven that the Bro-Country era is not just bad for the quality of country music, but could be having lasting societal effects beyond the radio dial.
Dr. Eric Rasmussen—a Professor at the College of Media and Communication at Texas Tech University, who earned his Ph.D. at Ohio State University—spearheaded the study called “Girl in a Country Song: Gender Roles and Objectification of Women in Popular Country Music across 1990 to 2014.”
“Girl In A Country Song” was a #1 single for the country duo Maddie & Tae in 2014. It was seen as the antitheses of the Bro-Country trend reigning supreme in popular country music at the time by calling out the negative portrayals of women in country.
The study analyzed 750 country songs from three eras: the 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, taking the the top 50 Billboard country songs for each year and categorized them for how they portrayed women. The study found that country songs from the 2010’s:
- Talk more about women’s appearance.
- Talk more about women in tight or revealing clothing.
- Compare women to objects more.
- Refer more to women using slang instead of their real names.
- Portray women more as distrustful and cheaters.
The study also found that modern country songs talk less about women being empowered, and less about women in non-traditional roles, and that it’s mostly songs from men that deliver these negative and objectified portrayals of women.
“What we found was that country lyrics in the 2010’s talk about women’s appearance more, talk about women in tight and revealing clothing more, refer to women using slang more and rarely use their names,” says Eric Rasmussen to Texas Tech Today. “Country music has generally been seen as the most wholesome music genre, but what this research is saying is that may not be the case anymore.”
Dr. Eric Rasmussen, who is the father of four daughters himself, works specifically in the field of media and how it influences children in various stages of their life, and how parents communicate with their children about the media. He regularly posts his findings on his ChilderenAndMediaMan blog. Rasumssen says the influence of pop in country is what has caused the backsliding of the lyrical quality and the respect women receive from their male counterparts. Where country music used to be one of the safe places for family listening, it is no longer.
“You hear about crossover country where it has incorporated lyrics and beats and other characteristics of pop,” Rasmussen says. “Country music is not that old, but it’s not steel guitars anymore. It doesn’t have that twang anymore. It’s more pop, more mainstream and the ratings are driving it. I don’t know if that says more about the industry or the listeners, because we’re the ones buying it. But I think it’s important to be aware of this, especially for parents, because there rarely is a safe place where you can escape the message that women are objects … I tell my daughters all the time it doesn’t matter what you look like, it matters who you are as a person, and the more we can get that message to people, the better.”
As Dr. Rasmussen tries to drive home, this is not just an argument about taste or even the definition of country music—it’s about how country music could be driving a declining perspective in how girls and women are perceived, both by males and females themselves.
“I think the reason we did the study in the first place is because research shows this type of music can have an effect on people,” Rasmussen says. “If this is the message they hear, they’ll think it’s acceptable and normal, and people normally try to go with the flow and match their attitude to what they think is acceptable in society. But we want to educate people about what’s happening, that the media does have an effect and that it’s not OK to demean women in this way.”
In September of 2015, country superstar Luke Bryan said that he found the term “Bro-Country” to be “degrading.” But it’s the music of Luke Bryan and others that’s degrading, and potentially causing issues beyond the music.
October 10, 2016 @ 9:47 am
I find it funny that people beat up on modern country music for objectifying women, but there is no talk about rap music that literally talks about raping and killing women in many songs. Other songs say some of the most disgusting things about women. The same could be said for many of the “Top 40” pop songs I hear on the radio. Maybe they aren’t as vile as some of the rap songs I am referring to, but they are still much worse than Top 40 country. Nobody will talk about it, because rap is “art” and it would more than likely be considered racist to bring it up.
The funniest thing of it all is; go to any party or tailgate where there are 18-40 year old women and they are all shaking their junk to these songs. Hell! Females are the biggest supporters of these artists! I went to a Luke Bryan concert with my wife and it was all girls in cutoff shorts and boots! So…I am not buying any of this crap. This world is messed up.
October 10, 2016 @ 10:14 am
“I find it funny that people beat up on modern country music for objectifying women, but there is no talk about rap music that literally talks about raping and killing women in many songs.”
I think there has been tons of talk about hip-hop and its perspective on women. In this study it talks about how country used to be a safe haven compared to hip-hop, and how hip-hop’s influence on modern mainstream country is one of the reasons the objectification of women in country is on the rise. Maybe one of the reasons folks aren’t talking about hip-hop as much is because it’s a given that hip-hop is degrading. Of course, not all of it is, just like not all of country is. But I don’t think this is a case of beating up on country and sparing hip-hop the rod.
But you are correct to point out hip-hip objectifies women, and sometimes in ways that makes the objectification in country seem trivial.
October 12, 2016 @ 12:12 am
I think the trend towards objectification of women portrayed in the genre is more a symptom of cultural decay in our society than a cause. The blue collar white American family has been gradually disintegrating over the past several decades. Manufacturing jobs have been disappearing, economic prospects for non college educated workers have declined, fathers have walked away, marriages have broken up, children have been left without stable homes, and young people have tried to dull their frustrations with drugs and alcohol. The genre’s audience have become more like the discouraged folks in Kacey Musgraves’ “Merry Go Round”. So it is no surprise that the music has become more decadent and lacking in substance and values. Just as Taylor Swift didn’t create the entitled but insecure upper middle class suburban white teenage girl, she was successful because her music reflected the sentiments of that demographic. Similarly bro country “artists” are expressing the emotions of their demographic, which they did not create.
October 10, 2016 @ 10:18 am
I don’t think anyone is saying that this is a problem exclusive to country music; this is a world problem. Nothing new about any of the above statements regarding the objectification of women. What I HAVE noticed is that country music is definitely doing more of this now. I still think of all genres, country is one of the more family-friendly genres. My kids listen to a lot of country, thanks to me, and know most of the songs – and I’m fine with this. Sometimes, when I have Chris Stapleton singing “Might as Well Get Stoned” or Eric Church singing “Drink a Little Drink, Smoke a Little Smoke” and I realize they are singing along to almost all the words…I feel a little bad lol but honestly, there is much worse out there that they could be hearing. And I don’t think anyone is ignoring what rap music sometimes promotes…this has been talked about a lot!
Female objectification is rampant everywhere, and it’s now permeating country music more – and yes, probably because of the popular mainstream influence it’s seeing right now. The only thing I found funny was the statement that they are portrayed more as “distrustful and cheaters” – only because these kinds of themes are common in country for BOTH sexes…the only difference is that male country singers are ruling the airwaves right now….if it were the other way around, then it would be men being portrayed as the distrustful cheaters more often….so this to me is a throwaway statement – obvious and really doesn’t mean much.
All we can do is work on raising our daughters with the knowledge that they are worth more than just the praise they receive for their looks. I grew up with a lot of men around; and some of them had the most vile, degrading views on women I’ve ever heard….that did far more damage to my psyche than any song ever did. So, let’s work on teaching our kids what’s important – both our boys and our girls. WE have far more influence on them then some stupid song lyrics ever will, this I can promise you.
October 10, 2016 @ 11:42 am
Well said CCRR. And Trigger, thank you for taking the time to write articles like this.
October 10, 2016 @ 10:44 am
The true family-friendly genres are Christian music and classical.
October 10, 2016 @ 11:42 am
Not a fan of stereotypes or talking about women for only their clothing choices, but expecting music to teach us values is probably silly. Don’t think songs that glorify violence, drinking, smoking, or Christianity (if you teach that Christians are better, more moral, you are also saying that anyone who isn’t is less – Jews, Muslims, Atheists – and that’s a problem) are really any better.
That’s why with country for my serious songs I tend to gravitate towards songs that explore the problems in small town America, rather than the ones that glorify it.
October 10, 2016 @ 12:05 pm
(btw don’t mean songs that have to do with internal faith, Jesus give me strength etc, more stuff about how America is great bc Christian values).
December 13, 2022 @ 11:38 am
Well, Christians generally are.
Accept the truth.
October 10, 2016 @ 12:03 pm
Seems like he had a hypothesis and just found facts to back that
October 10, 2016 @ 1:19 pm
I think the conclusion is rather obvious and hard to quibble with, but there is something to be said about putting certified facts from a University study conducted by a Ph.D. in print so that they next time Luke Bryan or Florida Georgia Line try to act like it’s not an issue, you can back it up with proof.
This is what the great Windmills Country would do on a regular basis. It’s a shame she’s not here to see this.
October 10, 2016 @ 1:36 pm
By this standard, Hank Williams falls in the same category. Hey Good Lookin, Your Cheatin Heart, Cold, Cold Heart just to name a few.
October 10, 2016 @ 1:52 pm
‘Don’t The Girls All Get Prettier At Closing Time’ was a #1 for Mickey Gilley in 1975 and would most likely be considered far more offensive than just about anything on country radio from a lyrical standpoint.
All forms of music have had some songs like this and to pretend that somehow country music was immune is really looking at the past through rose colored glasses.
Our entire culture is degrading so why would country music be any different?
October 10, 2016 @ 1:53 pm
Rose Colored Glasses…one of my favorite songs ever!
October 10, 2016 @ 1:59 pm
John Conlee is one of the great underrated singers of all time.
October 11, 2016 @ 5:52 am
You just throw dirt on two songs I really like….
I guess if you really want to you can interpret “Hey, Good Looking ” as a song that objectifies women. But then you really making an extreme interpretation…
But in what way does “Your Cheatin Heart” OR “Cold, Cold Heart” Objectify women???
And the article is about a study saying songs that objectify woman have INCREASED the last tree decades
It doesn’t say that songs that objectify woman is something new
October 10, 2016 @ 3:21 pm
Facts, stats, and analysis was definitely right up Windmill’s ally, but I’m not sure she would have started with the idea that country used to be the most wholesome genre.
Another interesting study to do would be to look at the average reading level of country songs over time. The hypothesis would be that songs are being “dumbed down” hence the reading level should be dropping.
October 10, 2016 @ 4:28 pm
There was a study that trigger reported on. If I remember correctly it was like an 8th grade level for country.
October 10, 2016 @ 5:08 pm
I think the reading level for pretty much every mainstream musical genre is pretty damn low these days. I wouldn’t be surprised if you locked a bunch of Luke Bryan/FGL/Aldean fans in a room and a bunch of Stapleton/Isbell/Simpson/Jinks fans in a room if the latter didn’t vastly outpace the former in reading levels and overall intelligence. I know that sounds presentence as all hell, but I’m pretty damn sure its the truth.
October 10, 2016 @ 5:34 pm
Not to be pretentious but what does presentence sound like? 😉
October 11, 2016 @ 8:16 am
“I’m not sure she would have started with the idea that country used to be the most wholesome genre…”
I’m a little bit dumbfounded by the idea that country music wasn’t the most well-recognized family-friendly genre up until the late 00’s. In fact, that was a knock on it, that it was all about Taylor Swift and Lone Star songs about sippy cups. That doesn’t mean there weren’t songs objectifying women in the past, but that evidence is by definition “anecdotal.” That’s the reason for a study, to create a baseline based on facts, and then present data to corroborate your findings. That’s why things like this study are way more important than just opinions.
Here’s the story about the study that says modern pop lyrics score at a 3rd grade reading level:
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/pop-country-lyrics-score-at-a-3rd-grade-level-according-to-new-study/
October 11, 2016 @ 12:47 pm
This doesn’t surprise me at all. But I was never under the impression music (especially popular mainstream music) was supposed to be on the same level as great American literature to be considered valid….maybe we should all just stop trying to prove how much smarter we are than everyone else? Those implying a Sturgill Simpson fan is mentally superior to Jason Andean fan should be slapped off their high horse. Give me a break. I enjoy this website, but it’s the shit like that I can’t stand. I’m happy you think so highly of yourself but please excuse me if I don’t join in on your self-important soap box speeches.
October 10, 2016 @ 12:15 pm
Wreck ’em Tech. Graduated in 2013. Very insightful study
October 10, 2016 @ 12:42 pm
That’s because of the market trend of who is buying the music.
Hear me out.
The music is being marketed towards people who drive trucks, go to bonfires and drink, people who want music about their lives so they can turn it up and party.
That’s the market to whom a lot of this kind of “Country” music appeals to. by which I mean semi-suburban males under 30 who want to get hammered, loud, and crazy, and have enough open space and enough time and money to do such things as bonfires and truck parties.
So what do men under 30 talk about when they’re drunk at a party?
women.
So in order to market these songs to these people, the songs are put into their vernacular.
And misogynistic music is born.
Because it helps make it marketable to the people exercising the most buying power.
October 10, 2016 @ 12:51 pm
Is it wishful thinking to assert that all the scrutiny and outrage surrounding the leaked 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape might also help shed light on other long-overlooked corners of institutionalized misogyny in art and culture………….including “Tomatogate”?
The repercussions of its response can be enormous in social discourse as a whole. I think it can suddenly make many more sensitive to the objectifying rhetoric in bro-country songs, for instance.
Yeah, I do realize I’m teetering dangerously close to the precipice on breaching politically-charged fodder here. But I truly believe we’d be kidding ourselves in denying this revelation will have staying power in many sociological spheres as how to not treat nor depict women.
October 10, 2016 @ 1:50 pm
To not take the obvious next step & go into politics.
But I agree with you, and the more we portray women as about looks, or emotional, or even put them on a pedestal to protect, the less we end up respecting them as complicated, smart, strong, powerful, adults, the good and the bad. Anyways this is why “Diff for Girls” is my worst song of the year.
October 10, 2016 @ 2:06 pm
GOD I HATE that song….it just irks me to no end.
October 11, 2016 @ 9:18 am
You are using some high falutin’ language there Nadia! Sociological Spheres?!!?? Shoot…talking like that tells me you ain’t from the country girl…..you think Waylon or Hank would understand any of that fancy talk? This is about country music right ???
October 10, 2016 @ 2:15 pm
“Country music has generally been seen as the most wholesome music genre, but what this research is saying is that may not be the case anymore.”
has it really? can someone link me to this Wholesome study? what genre generally comes in second place..Gospel?…Showtunes? you married bro’s need to chillax and pound some Michelob Golden Lights with us. besides, what are the strippers gonna dance to..Poncho and Lefty?
October 10, 2016 @ 3:32 pm
I wouldn’t mind seeing that. That would be pretty interesting.
October 10, 2016 @ 4:47 pm
Do you guys also think, going from what Clint said and he has a good point, that it can seem like the objectification and such in these songs are rising and seems to be more of because there is more of it on the radio?
This is an excellent post as always Trigger
October 10, 2016 @ 5:03 pm
Country music is only portrayed as “wholesome” because it is a controversy-averse genre, at least on the mainstream side of things. I mean, for Pete’s sake we had people that follow this genre up in arms about a Little Big Town and Kacey Musgraves song not that long ago. It’s “wholesome” because the loudest voices in the room cry and throw a hissy fit when an artist dares to explore subject matter that they themselves have deemed as “inappropriate” or when a Country artist dares to express a political or social opinion that runs counter to what they believe. It’s pretty pathetic actually. And yes, I know it cuts both ways socially, politically and all the rest.
This study doesn’t really break any new ground, well-intentioned as it may be.
October 10, 2016 @ 6:52 pm
This is yet another in a few recent studies out there on how women are one again being objectified in the media , entertainment etc. Seems times have come full circle in this regard . I’m not sure anyone still listening regularly to country radio even gives a damn, though …or even realizes this is happening.
October 10, 2016 @ 10:17 pm
When I saw it on the front page, I thought it was going to be a fake news story. Heck, it wasn’t until the link in the second paragraph that I realized it wasn’t satire.
October 11, 2016 @ 2:56 am
My only assumption here is that your selection of lead pic for this story is purposefully ironic, Trig… I mean, bikini-clad and knee deep in a lake someplace (near a tailgating bonfire, perhaps?)…
Just sayin’…
October 11, 2016 @ 8:26 am
It’s a screenshot from Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” video.
October 11, 2016 @ 4:35 pm
Submitted “tongue in cheek” ~ the smilie didn’t take…
October 11, 2016 @ 5:46 am
In order for anything to change, there need to be more young women who take a stand against it. Not that aren’t any doing so, but they aren’t reaching a national audience.
October 11, 2016 @ 7:22 am
Dr Rasmussen’s study, which may or may not have any validity, concludes that “Bro” country music songs objectify and denigrate girls/women, thus lowering the quality of country music and causing women to accept as normal reduced personnas, with broad societal impact.
My instinct sans research into this study is that this study has no validity.
People relate to country music through their own personal experiences and relationships. Do the lyrics connect with my life experiences in a way which is illuminating, entertaining, positive, uplifting, beautiful. When a song comes on which fails to meet this “test,” bro or non-bro, I lower the volume or switch stations, so weak songs have no impact on my life: I do not listen to them, and that might be true for most people.
I have a high respect for men and for the men of country music, many of whom work hard to produce their best work. When a song fails in some way, I have compassion, not contempt, and I always hope for the best from every artist. I highly admire the work that goes into the making of a great song.
October 11, 2016 @ 8:20 am
“My instinct sans research into this study is that this study has no validity.”
That’s the point of research, and a study—it bust through perceptions and biases to present certifiable facts. “Instincts” are irrelevant in the discussion. Though I do find it so funny that so many are saying “well duh” about the conclusions, yet you’re refuting them. If there was any issue with this study it was that it points out the blatantly obvious. But for some, that is still necessary, and even then they won’t acknowledge it.
There was a reason that Windmills Country’s avatar was an ostrich with their head buried in the sand.
October 11, 2016 @ 8:52 am
I hear you. I regret that my time is limited, so I must spend my time on the most positive, productive activities, and therefore I have no time to research Dr Rasmussen and his study to assess validity, which I agree is needed for a comprehensive response, and probably, therefore, I should not have posted a comment, but I felt impelled to do so.
I am studying the songs of two country music artists in preparation for attending their shows this weekend, and this work is more productive for me than researching Dr Rasmussen’s study. It is the music of these strong artists which will enrich my life, not Dr Rasmussen’s study.
I consider myself in a state of strength, not denial, but, I always enjoy and respect your work, and I appreciate your bringing this study up for discussion, which generates some fire.
October 11, 2016 @ 7:38 am
”..And the article is about a study saying songs that objectify woman have INCREASED the last three decades..”
……..Not just songs but reality TV shows ,game shows , dumb-ed down videos ,dumb-ed -down presidential campaigns and debates catering to dumbed-down voters and laws capitulating to the uninformed and inexperienced ‘majority’ all seem designed to appeal to a dumb-ed down , unconcerned society that’s seemingly not aware of this manipulative exploitative ploy .
October 11, 2016 @ 8:09 am
I can’t dispute the professor’s conclusions.
And I agree that rap music glorifies sexual abuse of women.
It’s telling that the artists in the pop and bro’ country music genres are themselves physical specimens who would be viewed as outwardly beautiful to most people.
I don’t think that is a coincidence or accident.
October 11, 2016 @ 8:57 am
It objectifies women and yet they still love it anyway. I see young women all the time with wearing Luke Bryan T-shirts and i just don’t understand it. If it makes them happy, that’s great, but I’ve seen and heard way too much of that guy for my liking.
October 11, 2016 @ 9:10 am
“It objectifies women and yet they still love it anyway.”
I’ve yet to hear women complain that men find them sexy. But I’m not an east coast city boy.
October 11, 2016 @ 11:03 am
JB 1 and Corncaster,
“I think the reason we did the study in the first place is because research shows this type of music can have an effect on people,” Rasmussen says. “If this is the message they hear, they’ll think it’s acceptable and normal, and people normally try to go with the flow and match their attitude to what they think is acceptable in society. But we want to educate people about what’s happening, that the media does have an effect and that it’s not OK to demean women in this way.”
I would argue women who are fans of bro-country haven’t critically looked at the lyrics and the underlying messages these songs promote. Thats why education and being critical of messaging in all types of media is important.
October 11, 2016 @ 11:57 am
Yes, what Rasmussen is saying in his study is that girls are being programmed from an early age to not only think that this language is acceptable, but that they should adhere to it to be accepted. So of course the majority of fans of people like Luke Bryan are going to be female. They find it “sexy” to be talked down to.
October 11, 2016 @ 9:14 am
It seems like most people that support the bro country singers are Women Luke Bryan,Jason Aldean wouldn’t have a career without all there women fans so it’s not like it’s the “Evil men” solely supporting them. Also Women country singers sing about men being dishonest too so why was that part added that makes no sense. All mainstream music is degrading to someone so why is anyone surprised.
October 11, 2016 @ 11:51 am
bad music + bad lyrics = flop song
bad music + good lyrics = flop song
good music + good lyrics = hit song
good music + bad lyrics = hit song
October 11, 2016 @ 12:45 pm
“The study found that country songs from the 2010’s:….
Portray women more as distrustful and cheaters.”
Funny, one of the complaints voiced about new country by fans of older country music is that they got RID of all them cheatin’ songs!
October 11, 2016 @ 12:51 pm
I’ve been following this discussion and have to pipe in. For those who think that lyrics denigrating or demeaning women don’t affect you, I point you to countless studies that state that although docs state that pharmaceutical marketing and advertising doesn’t affect their prescribing practices, it does. That is, even if you think you aren’t being affected, you are. We all are. Until we actually look closely not only at the lyrics but also the ways in which females are treated, we won’t recognize our need to change.
Also, it’s not only up to women to speak to these issues and raise hell about them. We’ve been doing that for a long long time, and until men actually speak up (as many of you did above), women will be objectified. This is not to say that males aren’t objectified – they are. But for females, the fallout is dangerous.
October 11, 2016 @ 1:12 pm
Country music and the Country Music industry has been steeped in misogyny and patriarchy since it’s inception. We’ve just graduated from the little woman barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen, standing by her man, to seeing women as sexual beings. Country has never been a progressive feminist platform and judging by how women are still treated today in the industry, I don’t think we should be pointing fingers at bro country alone when they’re just selling what people want to consume. All that’s happened is country finally caught up with sex sells.
October 11, 2016 @ 6:49 pm
Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Jean Shepherd, Shania Twain, Patti Loveless, Rhonda Vincent, Lori McKenna, etc.
Country music is full of strong women. Far, far more than any other genre of music. Almost all of that strength comes from the assertion of their innate value and dignity.
October 11, 2016 @ 9:31 pm
Each one of those women I can guarantee you has a story of their struggle in the industry. I think you’re also reaching a good bit with saying country has far more stronger women when you have women in other genres who not only had to battle patriarchy but also fight racism along the way.
October 12, 2016 @ 12:02 am
Shania Twain is not a good example, because she did more to objectify and sexualize women in the genre than most of the male artists in the 1990s. There’s an old saying, “if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem”.
October 15, 2016 @ 11:21 am
Country music caught up with “sex sells” 40 years ago at the very least with the onslaught of the borderline Runaways-type marketing-to-potential-pedophiles of an underage Tanya Tucker and the sexed up images of everyone from Charley McClaine to Sylvia for goodness’ sake.
Doesn’t make it right, and yes, women need to sing – and listened to – the type of empowering music that the greats that came before sang and opened doors for them to do so. Everyone from not only Loretta and Kitty and Dolly – but the likes of Aretha and Mavis Staples. Women artists of all genres need to regain and reclaim the respect they deserve.
October 12, 2016 @ 8:30 am
Women aren’t just objectified via denigrating terms. I’ve noticed that women in country music are often unfairly put up on pedestals as saints and angels who are obligated to be men’s better halves. It SOUNDS like respect but what it really does is once again put women on a different level from men, thereby making them an “other” in relation to men in the industry. Just my two cents.
October 12, 2016 @ 11:35 am
Another means of objectifying – making women out to be something that they’re not for the purposes of marketing and consumption. I love the strength of Dolly and Loretta and Patti, but there is no way these women have come this far in the industry without having to push back again misogynist bullshit as either saints or sex-objects.
October 12, 2016 @ 12:39 pm
I just came across this post–thank you for sharing our study! I see many comments here addressing objectification of women in media generally, and not just in country music. These comments suggest that country music, and Trump’s latest comments, are indicative of larger societal trends. I address this in my most recent blog post (link below). In short, if we could channel the vitriol regarding the latest example of objectification of women in media from being directed at one person (Trump) to being directed at an entire industry, maybe we could make a difference.
https://childrenandmediaman.com/2016/10/11/trump-minions-and-objectification-of-women-diagnosing-the-real-source-of-americans-vitriol/
September 4, 2019 @ 3:20 am
Thanks for writing this article. I am not a country music fan, was not aware. My wife and I were just at Seven Peaks Festival in Colorado. We were treated to these lyrics in the chorus of a song. This brought me to your article.
“Well, I don’t deal with bitches no more
Yeah, I don’t deal with bitches no more
I could call you crazy, curse your name
Throw your shit out the door
But I don’t deal with bitches no more”
Seems a bit harsh to me(a guy). I asked my wife and three adult girls. They said these words were very offensive. The girls have taught me over the years that I don’t get to tell them their opinions, and I often have no clue what they are thinking. I think I can use your article with the local politicians who bless the permits. I want to lobby for them to get a woman’s input on the festival lineup. Currently is only men making this decision.
cheers,
Frank.