7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey
These songs may seem okay at first, but their subtexts are creepy and not to be celebrated.
1. Lionel Richie - "Hello"
Why: The song itself has a hugely creepy, "confessions of a stalker" vibe. That alone would put it in the conversation to be on this list, but the video? They made the song even creepier. He's a teacher and she's a student in what sure looks like a high school. At the very least this one is "statutory rapey." At the very least.
2. Jaime Foxx - "Blame It"
Why: There's nothing wrong with getting drunk and having sex with someone Jaime. That can be fine. But if you think she's in a headspace where she should blame it on the alcohol, then she should probably blame it on you, because what you are describing sounds a lot like date rape. Also while we're here...
"She say she usually don't.
But I know that she front.
Cause shawty know what she want."
You should know that "don't," "front," and "want" do not rhyme. In fact, no two of those three words rhyme. Just thought you should know.
3. Grease - "Summer Loving"
Why: I love Grease. I don't care what that says about me. It's fantastic, and still holds up. That said, "Summer Loving" has a moment in it that ruins the song for me and paints the male cast in a gross "pro-rape" light.
"GIRLS: Tell me more, tell me more. Was it love at first sight?
GUYS: Tell me more, tell me more. Did she put up a fight?"
You know, despite your leather jackets and awesome taste in haircuts, you guys are not nearly as cool as I thought.
4. The Rolling Stones - "Brown Sugar"
Why: Because it's literally about raping slaves. LITERALLY.
"Gold coast slave ship bound for cotton fields,
Sold in a market down in new orleans.
Scarred old slaver know he's doin alright.
Hear him whip the women just around midnight.
Ah brown sugar how come you taste so good
(a-ha) brown sugar, just like a young girl should."
And there is nothing wrong with writing a song that explores issues of rape. But this marriage of lyric and music is just too celebratory and happy to be a thoughtful exploration.
5. Oingo Boingo - "Little Girls"
Why: Let's just look at the lyrics...
"I love little girls they make me feel so good
I love little girls they make me feel so bad
When they're around they make me feel
Like I'm the only guy in town
I love little girls they make me feel so good."
In case you think these lyrics are out of context, later he sings about how he's in trouble because this little girl was "just too little" and then says "I don't care what people say." Danny Elfman, the famed film score composer, was the songwriter and lead singer of Oingo Boingo. His involvement in this song has made me reevaluate my love of the "The Nightmare Before Christmas" score.
6. Ben Harper - "Steal My Kisses"
Why: The chorus of the song...
"Cause I always have to steal my kisses from you
Always have to steal my kisses from you."
Ben Harper, you shouldn't have to be stealing kisses from people. That's a gateway assault if I've ever heard one. Kisses should be given freely.
7. "Baby It's Cold Outside"
Why: She keeps trying to leave and telling him that the "answer is no." He keeps trying to prolong the night by getting her drunk. If that wasn't enough, at one point she says "Say what's in this drink?" Sure it's the most romantic date rape song ever, but that's a pretty dubious honor. When did we all decide this was okay? Why didn't I get a vote?
We're sure there are more. Add them below in the comments.
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I'll be watching you, sting…..I think that's what its called. Our that song by clay aikman it whatever his name was from American idol. Creepy
- lexs thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is LOL
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I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU LEFT OFF “WEBBY… GIMME THAT.” The song is literally about him “taking” the lovin.
- alexh21 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey
- Chris Cohen 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey and thinks it’s Dios MiO & Win
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- Christin Farina thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is Dios MiO & LOL
- tanikristinecb thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is LOL
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Personally, I think this article says more about its author than it does about any of the songs listed, but I'll play along. Offended by “Brown Sugar”? Here's a more acceptable rewrite: Braunschweiger!
How come you taste so good?
Braunschweiger!
Just like a sausage should! NOTE: Rest assured that this song is about soy-based, vegan braunschweiger. - nickr12 thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is LOL
- terryc6 thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is Win
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Let's not forget that little ditty “It's So Easy” by Guns N Roses!” Or are we not doing the obvious ones?
- AmericanColleen thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is Fail
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That line, “Say, what's in this drink?” catches our attention every time we hear “Baby, It's Cold Outside.” Funny how the advent of roofies can really change the meaning of a song.
- hannah7408 thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is LOL
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- adametokillfor thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is LOL
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Anti-Inspector Spacetime was kinda rapey, and had a funny moustache.
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Wow, that Jamie Foxx video….um Ron Howard? Jake Gylenhall? What are all those people doing in that shitty video? Hollywood is One Big Douche.
- Claire H. 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey
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So funny and perverted at the same time
- orangesoul116 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey
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- ajam 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey
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I liked this list better when it was on Cracked a couple years ago
- miny thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is WTF
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I think I should win this round. the Beatles present
“You like me too much” - magentamee thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is Dios MiO
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HOW DID YOU MISS THIS ONE
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Into the Night
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Steal? You know, there is room on the internet for more than one list/expose of songs. Really, there is. It's okay! About Summer Lovin' - Although I agree that a more benign interpretation fits with the movie better, the lyric could have been….far less creepy. I have to agree that that single line always ruined that song for me, too. And Little Girls? Gotta say, LOVE that song. It's supposed to be creepy - much like Lolita, or any work of fiction with a fucked-up narrator. I find it far, far less offensive than rapey songs that try to be 'romantic'.
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90% of decemberists songs.
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Run For Your Life by The Beatles should definitely be added to this list.
Lyrics:
Well I'd rather see you dead, little girl
Than to be with another man
You better keep your head, little girl
Or you won't know where I am You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That's the end'a little girl Well I know that I'm a wicked guy
And I was born with a jealous mind
And I can't spend my whole life
Trying just to make you toe the line You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That's the end'a little girl Let this be a sermon
I mean everything I've said
Baby, I'm determined
And I'd rather see you dead You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That's the end'a little girl I'd rather see you dead, little girl
Than to be with another man
You better keep your head, little girl
Or you won't know where I am You better run for your life if you can, little girl
Hide your head in the sand little girl
Catch you with another man
That's the end'a little girl - whysteriastar thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is Fail
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Oingo Boingo is the most underrated rock band of all time. And Danny Elfman was HOT.
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I see someone already said “Possum Kingdom” by the Toadies, but “Tyler” is waaaayyyy rapier, especially since it's a first person description of stalking/rape.
- lgagnon thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is Fail
- lex thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is WTF & LOL
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You guys forgot the rapiest of all songs.
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Not too sure about summer lovin. I suppose that interpretation isn't impossible, but I just assumed it meant she was resistant to his flirting, in a hard to get sort of way. My interpretation is definitely more consistent with the movie.
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Stealing kisses is an idiom…therefore not literal…therefore not rapey




































