Unlike most of her previous songs, this one isn’t about the “Teardrops on Her Guitar” because some guy left her heartbroken. It is actually the opposite.
“Shake It Off,” the new song by Taylor Swift, is showing a different side of the singer.
One of the lines that best show her new-found admiration for not caring about how others perceive her is, “I go on too many dates, but I can’t make ’em stay, at least that is what people say.”
This line describes how Swift is often scrutinized by the media for dating what they claim is “too many” guys.
With this new song, Swift is showing the world that she doesn’t care about what society thinks is normal and she isn’t the only female artist who is doing this.
Today it seems that more and more female artists are singing songs that promote a new way of life for women. Each popular genre of music currently has a strong female presence. Country music has Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert.
One of Lambert’s songs titled “Mama’s Broken Heart” is an example of how women’s roles in relationships have changed. In a line of the song Lambert talks about how her mother taught her to always act like a lady and when dealing with a breakup to never seem “crazy” in front of a man.
A line right from the song about how her mother felt regarding acting towards men is, “Don’t matter how you feel, it only matters how you look,” but Lambert later challenges her mother’s views.
Further into the song a line is sung which is really prevalent to how women today have changed; she says, “My mama came from a softer generation.Where you get a grip and bite your lip just to save a little face.”
In the pop and rap genre, female artists are also using their songs to promote inspiration. Meghan Trainor’s song “All About that Bass” is about the importance of positive body image. Beyoncé often mentions her feminist beliefs in her music.
Nicki Minaj is not only a very successful rapper in a male dominated industry but a force to be reckoned with. From female artists like Lorde to Iggy Azalea, the music industry is always being introduced to new music.
But are the powerful messages of the music from these female artists matching their image?
When Jennifer Lopez hits the stage in a one piece body glitter suit how is she being perceived?
On the red carpet when Rihanna is wearing a form-fitting dress how is she criticized?
Are these women giving society ammunition to objectify their bodies, or are they showing their bodies as nothing to be ashamed of? Is it really something they should hide, like in past generations?
Regardless of how people perceive the songs and images of the female artists of today, they are definitely helping to change the roles of women in society.
Songs promoting the progression of how women are viewed and view themselves are helping to eliminate the old stereotypes that they have passed faced in years past.
The images that female artists are portraying today do not match up with the normal gender roles of mothers and caretakers.
Instead, they are showing more powerful, strong women who are embracing their sexuality instead of hiding it in the linen closet while doing their house chores.
