S & M Goes Mainstream

DQ again.  Sometime, I’m going to do a post on pop lyrics, on how the young men pine for the love of a young lady while the young ladies are sluts.  But one song so stands out as downright scary that it can’t wait.   

We all know that rap lyrics are filthy and misogynistic.  But I’m talking about a mainstream pop song, number two on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart this week — S & M by Rihanna.  Sample lyrics from the chorus — “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but chains and whips excite me.”  “Come on, come on, come on, I like it-like it.” Take the link and read the whole dreadful thing for yourself.

I suppose we could call this the free market at work.  Such filth sells; that’s why it’s number 2 on the charts.  But the truth is that any song with a strong beat, a catchy hook and Rihanna on vocal will sell.  The message is (at least I hope it is) completely unrelated to the song’s success. 

Why this message?  How many teenage girls will be physically harmed because of this song?  How many sick perverts will be heard to say, “You should like this.  Rihanna does.  It’s fun, baby”?  How many writers, producers, executives, DJs, etc. will have this blood on their hands?

Please, hide your daughters.  Or at least talk to them.  Tell them that chains and whips are not exciting, they are painful.  Tell them that S & M is not cool, it’s sick.  What a bizarre world we live in that such a conversation would ever even be needed.  I’m glad I have sons.  In their late 20s.  Who know better than this.