If Miley Cyrus left you in doubt about female empowering imagery consider these

[Nuclear Unicorn]

No, this isn't a call for censorship. It's a call for consciousness raising and discussion about how young women see themselves. Below are the lyrics from a pair of songs sung by women in female-led groups that are in high rotation on the alternative/hard rock stations.

First up, "I Miss the Misery" by Halestorm

Ohhh, I miss the misery!

I've been a mess since you stayed,
I've been a wreck since you changed,
Don't let me get in your way,
I miss the lies and the pain,
The fights that keep us awake-ake-ake
I'm tellin you!

I miss the bad things,
The way you hate me,
I miss the screaming,
The way that you blame me!
Miss the phone calls,
When it's your fault,
I miss the late nights,
Don't miss you at all!
I like the kick in the face,
And the things you do to me!
I love the way that it hurts!
I don't miss you, I miss the misery!

I've tried but I just can't take it,
I'd rather fight than just fake it (cause I like it
Rough),
You know that I've had enough,
I dare ya to call my bluff,
Can't take to much of a good thing
I'm tellin you!

I miss the bad things,
The way you hate me,
I miss the screaming,
The way that you blame me!
Miss the phone calls,
When it's your fault,
I miss the late nights,
Don't miss you at all!
I like the kick in the face,
And the things you do to me!
I love the way that it hurts!
I don't miss you, I miss the misery!

Just know that I'll make you hurt,
(I miss the lies and the pain what you did to me)
When you tell me you'll make it worse
(I'd rather fight all night than watch the TV)
I hate that feelin inside
You tell me how hard you'll try
But when we're at our worst
I miss the misery

I miss the bad things,
The way you hate me,
I miss the screaming,
The way that you blame me.

I miss the rough sex,
Leaves me a mess,
I miss the feeling of pains in my chest!
Miss the phone calls,
When it's your fault,
I miss the late nights,
Don't miss you at all!
I like the kick in the face,
And the things you do to me!
I love the way that it hurts!
I don't miss you, I miss the misery!

I don't miss you, I miss the misery!

Next, "Blood" by In This Moment

I hate you for the sacrifices you made for me
I hate you for every time you ever bled for me
I hate you for the way you smile when you look at me
I hate you for never taking control of me
I hate you for always saving me from myself
I hate you for always choosing me and not someone else
I hate you for always pulling me back from the edge
I hate you for every kind word you ever said
I'll bleed you dry now

Blood, blood, blood
Pump mud through my veins
Shut your dirty, dirty mouth
I'm not that easy
Blood, blood, blood
Pump mud through my veins
I'm a dirty, dirty girl
I want it filthy

Blood, blood, blood
Pump mud through my veins
Shut your dirty, dirty mouth
I'm not that easy
Blood, blood, blood
Pump mud through my veins
I'm a dirty, dirty girl
I want it filthy

I love you for everything you ever took from me
I love the way you dominate and violate me
I love you for every time you gave up on me
I love you for the way you look when you lie to me
I love you for never believing in what I say
I love you for never once giving me my way
I love you for never delivering me from pain
I love you for always driving me insane!
I'll bleed you dry now

Blood, blood, blood
Pump mud through my veins
Shut your dirty, dirty mouth
I'm not that easy
Blood, blood, blood
Pump mud through my veins
I'm a dirty, dirty girl
I want it filthy

Blood, blood, blood
Pump mud through my veins
Shut your dirty, dirty mouth
I'm not that easy
Blood, blood, blood
Pump mud through my veins
I'm a dirty, dirty girl
I want it filthy

I hate you...
I hate you...

Blood, blood, blood
Pump mud through my veins
Shut your dirty, dirty mouth
I'm not that easy
Blood, blood, blood
Pump mud through my veins
I'm a dirty, dirty girl
I want it filthy

Blood, blood, blood
Pump mud through my veins
Shut your dirty, dirty mouth
I'm not that easy
Blood, blood, blood
Pump mud through my veins
I'm a dirty, dirty girl
I want it filthy

I hate you for every time you ever bled for me

As a disclaimer -- I actually like these songs. The women singing them have powerful vocals and they strength of their singing differentiates them from the submissive bubblegum sex kittens that have been foisted on popular culture for the last few decades.

However, there is no denying that the lyrics paint pictures of women who are deliberately seeking out bad relationships. I can't help but think this leaves some thinking bad relationships are just a fact of life and that it is futile to demand the respect; not to mention the "broads need a good smack every now and again" stereotype that has been present in society for far too long.

There *is* talent there but is it healthy and empowering and are these songs what we want for our sisters and daughters?

[el_bryanto]

1. I can certainly see your point

I guess the counter point would be they might argue that they are simply reflecting what they experience and see - holding a mirror up to society. I don't know, for example, that the Velvet Underground and Nico is an argument in favor of Heroin even though the drug shows up a couple of times (notably on "Heroin.&quot I think they are just, perhaps, writing about the reality of their lives.

Bryant

[Le Taz Hot]

2. A far cry from

"You Don't Own Me", "I Am Woman" and "Hit Me With Your Best Shot"

What the HELL happened?????

[Eleanors38]

3. Maybe the attraction Unicorn mentions was always

Last edited Mon Dec 16, 2013, 01:22 PM - Edit history (1)

there. Is it a stage in women, or are they as intrigued with the dangerous male-as-potent figure as men are supposed to be schooled in the trappings of threat and power. Are women cued on survivability & ability to protect in a time when those cues are muddled, even abandoned?

"Your boyfriend graduated from Yale?
MY boyfriend just got out of jail!"

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

4. meh - pop starlets suck, listen to Patti instead