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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- hannahbzz thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is Fail
- Spooky thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is LOL
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Hipster Doofus a year agoYou didn’t get to vote on baby it’s cold Outside because it was written, like, 50 years ago.
And yeah, we have called that song The Date Rape Song for years. Even creepier when Dean Martin sings it.
And Oingo Boingo’s song was _meant_ to be creepy and doesn’t really qualify. -
- jeremyw6 thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is Fail
- sharkfighter thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is OMG
- Em0987654321 thinks 7 Popular Songs That Are Too Rapey is Trashy, Fail & WTF
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Riff a year agoAs opposed to only slightly rapey? I was going to say that I didn’t realize there was a scale for how rapey something is, but then I realized police departments and society at large do it all the time.
“Well, if you were wearing that top, m’am, it wasn’t really rape… Maybe a 3 on the Rape-o-Meter.” -
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oprahsweave a year agohttp://www.cracked.com/article_18431_8-romantic-songs-you-didnt-know-were-about-rape.html if you’re gonna steal ideas from cracked.com at least give them credit.
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Scott J. a year ago“Possum Kingdom” Make up your mind
Decide to walk with me
Around the lake tonight
Around the lake tonight
By my side
By my side
I’m not gonna lie
I’ll not be a gentleman
Behind the boathouse
I’ll show you my dark secret I’m not gonna lie
I want you for mine
My blushing bride
My lover, be my lover, yeah… Don’t be afraid
I didn’t mean to scare you
So help me, Jesus I can promise you
You’ll stay as beautiful
With dark hair
And soft skin…forever
Forever Make up your mind
Make up your mind
And I’ll promise you
I will treat you well
My sweet angel
So help me, Jesus (hey, hey, hey) Give it up to me
Give it up to me
Do you wanna be
My angel?
So help me! Be my angel
Be my angel
Do you wanna die?
I promise you
I will treat you well
My sweet angel
So help me, Jesus Jesus
Jesus
Jesus… -
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glenchilada a year agoI call bullshit… especially with regards to “Baby It’s Cold Outside”. Show me a man who’s never had to persist a bit, and I’ll show you a man who’s never been laid.
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Jonathan S. a year agoCome a little closer huh, ah will ya huh.
Close enough to look in my eyes, Sharona.
Keeping it a mystery gets to me
Running down the length of my thighs, Sharona
Never gonna stop, give it up. Such a dirty mind.
Always get it up for the touch
of the younger kind. My my my i yi woo. M M M My Sharona… Child rape. -
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Denis R. a year agoUh…. “Every breath you take”??? “Every Breath You Take” Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take
I’ll be watching you Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay
I’ll be watching you O can’t you see
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches with every step you take Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I’ll be watching you Since you’ve gone I been lost without a trace
I dream at night I can only see your face
I look around but it’s you I can’t replace
I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I keep crying baby, baby please Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake
I’ll be watching you -
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