What The American Top 40 Says About Gender

At any given time, whether it's driving in your car, sitting at work, or walking through the store, sound is constantly in your space. Depending on your preference, that sound may vary from music to ambient noise, but more than likely different messages are constantly being thrown at you with every riff and cymbal crash. The following list examines, from my perspective, what the top ten songs in the American Top 40 say to listeners.

So probably a good place to start is what the American Top 40 is. More than likely on an given Saturday or Sunday, if you're an avid true FM radio listener, you will hear the all to familiar voice of Ryan Seacrest counting down the top 40 most played songs in America. Yes, this means that there is rhyme and reason to why the same song is being played every hour on every possible station.

The good thing about constant airplay is that those really catchy tunes keep repeating and for those long Texas drives, this kind of activity is prime (especially if your cassette deck doesn't work and you don't have an aux cable port). At the same time, if you further examine exactly what those catchy hooks are referring to and what they say about certain aspects of identity, the all to catchy melodies are actually accentuating stereotypes and roles our daily life identities may not agree with.

The following list provides my own interpretations of how gender is depicted in some of the most overplayed songs in the country and what messages may come from the surface level of these songs. What's so interesting about music is that for most college students, music is usually how they will "define their life." I'm guilty of using this phrase myself; however, in critically thinking about the language and undertones that certain songs have, I would certainly hope that music does not "define" the lives of students. At the same time, I do believe that use of music to help build rapport, as well as to use in teachable moments, can be a great way to connect students to critically and consciously think about the concepts of intent vs. impact, and how language and action serve to be a means of "defining their life."

In regard to implications for students affairs professionals, as mentioned before music is probably one of the most common and easiest ways subliminal messages are received in society. Especially as pop artists are frequently marketed toward younger audiences, our students come in with these notions of what the "party culture" should include, as well as what physical perceptions of gender roles students might feel pressured to mimic. Admittedly, for professionals too, we may find a popular radio song catchy, as well as the fact that during the work day songs playing from our computers may also be sending out these unintentional messages. As opposed to avoiding these situations all together, instances surrounding trendy music or music videos can serve a greater purpose for opening up conversations with students about these gender and sexuality topics in a more organic and casual way. While I think the training that goes into graduate work on these topics is helpful in providing a set time and place to discuss these topics, these kinds of conversations can realistically happen at anytime, and by slowly introducing them into common conversation based on relevant topics, I think a greater awareness in students will come about.

One of the coolest things about pop culture is that society constructs it, and as a training ground for the rest of students' lives, college helps construct what ideas and opinions they may have. In being personally aware of our own biases and attitudes, as well as what current culture constructions tell us, we can help re-shape and re-construct new ideals for the future in the way that we create opportunities for students. While I don't feel our job is to tell students what to believe or how they should view things, we can provide thought-provoking questions and spaces to respond, question, and re-evaluate. Before action can effectively take place, their needs to be a change in mindset or recognition that change needs to take place. If we do not get the conversation started or at least the seeds planted for thinking about how gender roles and sexuality are portrayed, there can't be change.

10. Jason Derulo-"Wiggle" feat. Snoop Dogg

Via YouTube

I will be the first to admit to wiggling (to the best of my ability) when this song comes on, even when I'm driving.

BUT...no pun intended, the whole purpose of the song is a call for women to shake, dare I even say twerk, their butts "HAM sammich." Falling hard into the standard objectifying women for the pleasure of men, the one thing I notice the most in the music video is the lack of white women, but instead it is comprised mostly of women of color. While these women do have beautiful faces, they are all mostly lost among the up and down swing of their backsides, adorned with bright strips of cloth.

So what does this tell society about women? One, if you can dance super sexy, you're likely to be scrutinized and then taken home for the night. Two, women of color have large butts and can "twerk" or wiggle, or whatever and for the purpose of this song are only meant to be of service visually and physically.

Also, lyrics you may have missed amongst the catchy tune:

"Now what you will and what you want and what you may do

Completely separated,

Till I deeply penetrate it

Then I take it out and wipe it off

Eat it, ate it, love it, hate it"

9. Paramore- "Ain't It Fun"

Via YouTube

First of all, I would just like to point out that this is the only female fronted band in the top ten for this week, and quite frankly, it's not often that this is the case. Secondly, Haley Williams is one of four women featured on the countdown this week. Woo, girl power.

Especially in the pop-rock/pop-punk/rock scenes in general, women are not in the majority and while I think I could use this as an example of why that could be a problem, I'm going to use this example for good. Showing that girls/women have a place in the rock scene since 2004, this band gives a voice to the many female listeners, as well as a face in the scene. This provides fuel to the dreams of little girls wanting to grow up and become the next great female rock band.

Secondly, I think sometimes there's a tendency for women in the music industry to write a lot about love and heart break, but in this song it's a reminder to everyone that they are NOT the center of the universe, and essentially that independence isn't always easy, but a fact of life.

Sidenote: In listening to Paramore, I find myself putting aside my own biases and harsh criticisms of female fronted bands. Growing up on women artists like Janis Joplin, Debbie Harry, and Joan Jett, I have to remember that women in our generation are just as competent and can rock just like the majority of my favorite male-fronted bands. I don't really have a reason for my aversion to female fronted bands, it's more of a preference thing.

8. MKTO-"Classic"

Via YouTube

Image. Image. Image.

So, in this combo we've got two men, one black one white, both I would argue are attractive, thin, and well dressed, singing a fairly light, upbeat, and poppy song about a girl. Up until a couple of weeks ago, I'm not sure that I would have looked at this group any differently than how I look at all the other male fronted teenybopper bands. Now I consider this:

These two men don't portray the stereotypes of masculine men at all, and instead perhaps what this image says to women is that the heavy duty masculine men are moving out of style. Unfortunately, what this might suggest for men, is that if you're not attractive, can't spit a good game, or provide a woman with gifts of endearment, you may have a harder time getting the GIRL to like you.

As we'll find as we continue the countdown, most songs relating to relationships are definitely hetero-normative. This song is no different using language like "girl" and "baby."

7. Sam Smith- "Stay With Me"

Via YouTube

By far, one of my favorite artists on the countdown, Sam Smith, a solo male artist from the UK, seems to break down all stereotypes regarding the hyper-masculinity found in contemporary music. Giving context to his debut album, "In the Lonely Hour," this song is one of many touching upon the sensitive reflection of unrequited love with someone.

Instead of falling prey to the stereotypical "hit it and quit it," this song suggests that instead of the woman looking for more from a one night stand, the man would actually like it to be more meaningful.

Question that I consider: Does the fact that this artist identifies himself to be part of the gay community contribute any significance to the meaning behind this song?

6. Disclosure- "Latch" feat. Sam Smith

Via YouTube

At first, I got excited because I thought this music video was going to really encompass both heterosexual relationships as well as LGB couples; however, that appears to not be the case. While for a brief moment, you see two men give longing looks to each other, nothing really comes of that the rest of the video. As for the other three couples, including a lesbian couple, the audience sees them being affectionate with one another. For me this calls into question how okay society is seeing female to female affection versus male to male affection. If this video is any indication, it appears that the public may be more "into" or okay with lesbians as opposed to other members of the queer community. Why is this?

5. MAGIC!- "Rude"

Via YouTube

For me this is one of the most thought provoking songs on the countdown, especially considering the role that tradition plays in this song. Growing up, I was always under the impression that the MAN was to ask the father of the WOMAN he wanted to marry for permission. I had never really given much thought to what same sex couples would do, and I'm still not sure despite having asked numerous friends in the community. Regardless, call me "old-fashioned" but I do hope that when I get engaged, my future husband will have talked to my parents beforehand.

At the same time, what makes me think deeper about this song is that is appears to be based on the principle that a woman is something you can ask for from someone else. Grant you, she does technically have the final say; the questions that remain are why does this tradition still continue and why is it important?

I have known many college students to battle internally with this practice; for female students, the question of their independence versus pleasing their parents remains on the line, while for male students they question what exactly their role and responsibility is to tradition or what is expected of them. As students battle with the ideas of tradition, not just in the sense of marriage, but in other aspects, as student affairs professionals, we must be open to considering numerous viewpoints and helping students come to their own conclusions about expectations they should set for themselves.

4. Calvin Harris- "Summer"

Via YouTube

Time for an honesty moment: I do not regularly watch music videos, so this project has been a struggle for me because I have had to sit and watch all of these videos, some more than once. After "Wiggle" I was ready to be done, and that was the first one I watched.

In terms of lyrics, the song is a fairly basic hetero-normative, catchy song with no allusions to over sexualized themes or anything to risque. The music video, is again, something similar to that of number ten on the countdown. Who is watching these music videos and why are the women featured all so thin, wearing very little clothing? Where are the men? Where are the clothes?

Also, in watching this video it makes me realize that women really are given some very unrealistic body image goals. Would I like to be a healthier size? Yeah, I guess. Would I like to look better in less clothing? In this Texas heat, absolutely.

Instead of making me feel like these body images are attainable, it makes me want to eat an ice cream cone.

3. Iggy Azalea- "Fancy" ft. Charli XCX

Via YouTube

So upon watching the music video, the first point I'd like to make is that it's a total throwback to "Clueless" if anyone remembers watching the movie or TV show. As much as I want to believe that some of the superficiality that can be seen in shows from the 1990's and 2000's isn't as prevalent, I know that it is, so this video is almost a slap in the face. While it's been almost twenty years since, there's definitely still this unspoken rule of who and what type of girl makes the "popular" crowd. If you're a rich girl, have nice things, and a great sense of style, you possess a certain kind of power. In some sense, we've talked about this in terms of the privilege associated with white women.

As for the lyrics, they're easy to remember, the melody is solid, but sometimes I'm a little unclear what hip hop references shes trying to make. At the same time, at certain points, I take into consideration that the literal meaning of some lines is less than to be desired. In different classes we've talked about reclaiming certain words, and in this song, Iggy claims to be a "bad bitch" and that people should want that. I'm a little unsure if what she really meant to say was, "You should want someone strong, assertive, independent, that knows what they want," but that just didn't flow right with the beat.

2. Nico & Vinz- "Am I Wrong"

Via YouTube

Especially at looking at intersecting identities, in this case race and gender, this song really speaks of opportunity to the listener. Most of the individuals featured in this music video, as well as the two artists are people of color, and the message suggests to the listener to keep pushing forward and going after the dreams or ideals the future can bring. I would say this is probably the most empowering song on the countdown, really focusing on the message of the words as opposed to visually shocking or objectifying imagery.

My favorite verse in the song is:

"Walk your walk and don't look back, always do what you decide

Don't let them control your life, that's just how I feel

Fight for yours and don't let go, don't let them compare you, no

Don't worry, you're not alone, that's just how we feel"

Especially in class, when we talk about underrepresented populations on campus, I relate this song back to those students. Whether these types of students see themselves in race, gender, sexuality, etc. on campus, it's the idea that in our roles on campus we can help them push through their doubts and help them achieve or at least figure out what they want to do.

1. Ariana Grande- "Problem" feat Iggy Azalea

Via YouTube

Having heard this song over and over again on the radio, to then seeing the music video, I just don't get the connection.

For the song itself, I think it perfectly encompasses thoughts that all women, and I would argue men also, have in regard to letting toxic relationships go. For women, I think this decision to let things go can be more difficult because the uncertainty and lack of stability can be seen as alarming when forced to be alone. The beauty of Iggy Azalea in this song is that she really stands up for the women of the world, and puts her foot down about cutting the unnecessary garbage out of one's life. Even when rapping along with her, I know I feel a little empowered.

As for the video, it's really the only one in the top ten that in a way, kind of objectifies men? Instead of women being scantily clothed, the men in this video can be seen without wearing shirts and for the most part are all pretty handsome. At the same time, I don't believe the music video really suggests anything in particular about male gender roles.