# Misogynist lyrics/songs from the pre-hip-hop era **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 23, 2006, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880 "2006-08-23T13:37:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/21 "2006-08-23T16:28:50Z")
[QUOTE=The Mighty Loa] It was actually Paul singing lead on **Getting Better**. I used to be cruel to my woman/I beat her and kept her apart from the things that she loved/Man I was mean but I’m changing my scene/And I’m doing the best that I can. [/QUOTE] I’m pretty sure John wrote it. Either way, I don’t think it’s really misogynistic. He’s saying his poor treatment of women was a bad thing, but now is improving. And that’s another reason that things are getting better. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/22 "2006-08-23T16:34:38Z")
\*I want to be Bobby’s girl I want to be Bobby’s girl That’s the most important thing to me… And if I was Bobby’s girl If I was Bobby’s girl What a faithful, thankful girl I’d be\* “Bobby’s Girl” - Marci Blaine \ ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/23 "2006-08-23T16:36:05Z")
How about ‘Bobby’s Girl’? "When people ask of me, What would you like to be Now that you’re not a kid anymore. […] I want to be Bobby’s girl, That’s the most important thing to me. And if I was Bobby’s girl, If I was Bobby’s girl, What a faithful thankful girl I’d be." ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mighty\_Loa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@The\_Mighty\_Loa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mighty_Loa)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/24 "2006-08-23T16:39:51Z")
[QUOTE=Talon Karrde] I’m pretty sure John wrote it. Either way, I don’t think it’s really misogynistic. He’s saying his poor treatment of women was a bad thing, but now is improving. And that’s another reason that things are getting better. [/QUOTE] Actually, **Getting Better** was primarily a McCartney composition (that is, he brought it in initially), with contributions from John (_It can’t get no worse_ came from him). Paul mentions it on the Anthology, I believe. And I agree that it’s not misogynsitic, I was just providing the info to Eleanor. > [@](#): > > ``` > Subtly? It's almost a requirement in the genre that a male CW artist write a "bitch done me wrong" song. > > ``` I mean there are songs _other_ than “bitch done me wrong” songs. I wish I could remember examples, but there were a few “love” songs that had me scratching my head… ---
**Author:** ![Jean\_Poutine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a5b964/32.png) [@Jean\_Poutine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jean_Poutine)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/25 "2006-08-23T16:45:16Z")
Good call on “Wild World”- more insulting and patronizing than misogynistic- “if you gotta leave, take good care, I hope find a lot of nice things to wear”?? WTF?? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/26 "2006-08-23T17:11:18Z")
[QUOTE=Jean Poutine] I thought it was odd no Stones songs jumped out at me from the Hot 100 book- stupid girl and under my thumb weren’t chart hits, that’s why. These are two GREAT examples of what I was looking for- they’re just plain _mean_- what did these girls do to make Mick hate them so :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] I am going to jump in here to defend Mick & Co., at least for “Under My Thumb.” This is a song that celebrates the capitulation and conquest of an individual who initially snubbed him. It is not sexist in my book because it can be turned around. A female singer could easily switch the pronouns and the song would still work, and I’ve heard a singer do that. It could also work for a gay relationship, with appropriate pronoun. Therefore it is not inherently sexist, because people of either sex can empathize with the sentiment. James Taylor’s “Whenever I see Your Smiling Face,” on the other hand—ugh. “When you give me that pretty little pout it turns me inside out…” AEEEEEIII! That one is sexist. (But NOT misogynist.) You also have to make allowances for these somebody-done-somebody-wrong songs. There are still a few inherently misogynist songs out there. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/27 "2006-08-23T17:16:03Z")
[QUOTE=The Mighty Loa] Actually, **Getting Better** was primarily a McCartney composition (that is, he brought it in initially), with contributions from John (_It can’t get no worse_ came from him). Paul mentions it on the Anthology, I believe. And I agree that it’s not misogynsitic, I was just providing the info to Eleanor. [QUOTE] Nitpick: The line is “It can’t get \*\*much \*\* worse” > [@](#): > > I mean there are songs _other_ than “bitch done me wrong” songs. Actually no one does a better “bitch done me wrong” song than Bob Dylan. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/28 "2006-08-23T19:54:17Z")
“A woman’s a two-face, a worrisome thing who’ll leave you to sing the blues in the night…” ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/29 "2006-08-23T20:03:42Z")
What about “I Used to Love Her,” by Guns 'n Roses? They say it’s a joke song, but Axl Rose was known for knocking his girlfriends around, which makes it even creepier. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/30 "2006-08-23T20:12:15Z")
I’ve always hated “You Talk too Much,” but I just read the lyrics and there’s nothing in them that implies that the too-much talker is female. And let’s not forget this gem… If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life Never make a pretty woman your wife So for my personal point of view Get an ugly girl to marry you A pretty woman makes her husband look small And very often causes his downfall As soon as he married her and then she starts To do the things that will break his heart But if you make an ugly woman your wife A-you’ll be happy for the rest of your life An ug-a-ly woman cooks meals on time And she’ll always give you peace of mind Hmmmm. Now I can’t decide if that’s misogynist or just sexist. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/31 "2006-08-23T20:14:07Z")
[QUOTE=Rubystreak] What about “I Used to Love Her,” by Guns 'n Roses? They say it’s a joke song, but Axl Rose was known for knocking his girlfriends around, which makes it even creepier. [/QUOTE] What’s “pre-hip-hop” about G’nR? ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/32 "2006-08-23T20:16:42Z")
[QUOTE=freckafree] A pretty woman makes her husband look small And very often causes his downfall As soon as he married her and then she starts To do the things that will break his heart Hmmmm. Now I can’t decide if that’s misogynist or just sexist. [/QUOTE] Isn’t it rather obviously both? The subtext, clearly, is that a pretty woman will fuck around because she can. An ugly one won’t because she can’t. Therefore, if able, women will destroy you. If not, they make great servants. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/33 "2006-08-23T20:41:24Z")
[QUOTE=Hilarity N. Suze] I am going to jump in here to defend Mick & Co., at least for “Under My Thumb.” This is a song that celebrates the capitulation and conquest of an individual who initially snubbed him. It is not sexist in my book because it can be turned around. A female singer could easily switch the pronouns and the song would still work, and I’ve heard a singer do that. It could also work for a gay relationship, with appropriate pronoun. Therefore it is not inherently sexist, because people of either sex can empathize with the sentiment. James Taylor’s “Whenever I see Your Smiling Face,” on the other hand—ugh. “When you give me that pretty little pout it turns me inside out…” AEEEEEIII! That one is sexist. (But NOT misogynist.) You also have to make allowances for these somebody-done-somebody-wrong songs. There are still a few inherently misogynist songs out there. [/QUOTE] You’ll have to spell this one out for me. The lyrics you cite are about how much James Taylor likes a woman. How is that sexist? ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/34 "2006-08-23T20:52:55Z")
I think the Allman Brothers’ “Every Hungry Woman” has a strong aspect of sexism to it: Yeah — Sad eyed woman boogie 'til the break of dawn Yeah — Long a-bout the break of day — Yeah oh— your man has up and gone— You got 13 lovely children No proud father knocking at your door Yeah— but every hungry woman has been in your place before Yeah — the doctor keep [or “kept”] calling woah – found you’d fall-en [alternate lyrics: found you bawlin’] Yeah – you backed him in the corner oh — you’re doing what you wanna You got 14 lovely children No proud father knocking at your door Yeah— but every hungry woman has been in your place before Seems to be mocking the woman for getting pregnant so much. The absent fathers, presumably one of whom is the vocalist, are not held to account in any way. Really piggish, when you think about it. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/35 "2006-08-23T20:53:58Z")
[QUOTE=Rubystreak] What about “I Used to Love Her,” by Guns 'n Roses? They say it’s a joke song, but Axl Rose was known for knocking his girlfriends around, which makes it even creepier. [/QUOTE] To be fair, Izzy Stradlin wrote that song and he claimed that it was about a dog he’d once put down (I don’t know if I buy that but I don’t recall Izzy ever having the same kind of issues with women that Axl has had). Country music is full of sexism and misogyny. From “Attitude Adjustment” by Hank Williams Jr: “Now my girl friend slapped me in the face And I said “Darling, that was your first mistake”. And then she went wild and her eyes turned red. She started breaking everything and screaming loud And kicking me and cussing me out And I gave her a little adjustment on the top of her head. It was an attitude adjustment, Ah she loves on me all the time. Just an attitude adjustment, She’s got a whole new frame of mind. She don’t nag and I don’t beg, We get along and like I said, Just an attitude adjustment Ah, everything’s just fine.” Mary Chapin Carpenter’s song, “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her” is one that really grates on me with the way it reinforces so many stupid, sexist attitudes (not mention a really horrendous expression). I think it bothers me more when women sing demeaning songs about women than men. For another example of that, see Shelly Fabares’ “Johnny Get Angry” (which was also featured in Dave Barry’s book). “Oh, Johnny get angry, Johnny get mad Give me the biggest lecture I ever had I want a brave man, I want a cave man Johnny, show me that you care, really care for me” I’m glad I wasn’t around in the 50’s. ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/36 "2006-08-23T21:26:42Z")
Diogenes - I think you totally misunderstood Ms. Carpenter’s song. Yes, that phrase is stupid - that’s why she’s mocking it in the song. Here is an excerpt of the lyrics: “…She packs his suitcase, she sits and waits With no expression upon her face When she was thirty-six she met him at their door She said I’m sorry, I don’t love you anymore Everything runs right on time, years of practice and design Spit and polish till it shines. He thinks he’ll keep her Everything is so benign, safest place you’ll ever find God forbid you change your mind. He thinks he’ll keep her For fifteen years she had a job and not one raise in pay Now she’s in the typing pool at minimum wage…” Now, I do agree with you that a woman singing a misogynistic song is truly awful - like Vikki Carr’s “It must be him” ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/37 "2006-08-23T21:30:47Z")
[QUOTE=Loopydude] Isn’t it rather obviously both? The subtext, clearly, is that a pretty woman will fuck around because she can. An ugly one won’t because she can’t. Therefore, if able, women will destroy you. If not, they make great servants. [/QUOTE] Good call. I agree with you. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/38 "2006-08-23T21:37:32Z")
[QUOTE=well he’s back] Diogenes - I think you totally misunderstood Ms. Carpenter’s song. Yes, that phrase is stupid - that’s why she’s mocking it in the song. Here is an excerpt of the lyrics: “…She packs his suitcase, she sits and waits With no expression upon her face When she was thirty-six she met him at their door She said I’m sorry, I don’t love you anymore Everything runs right on time, years of practice and design Spit and polish till it shines. He thinks he’ll keep her Everything is so benign, safest place you’ll ever find God forbid you change your mind. He thinks he’ll keep her For fifteen years she had a job and not one raise in pay Now she’s in the typing pool at minimum wage…” Now, I do agree with you that a woman singing a misogynistic song is truly awful - like Vikki Carr’s “It must be him” [/QUOTE] Interesting. I guess I never listened to the lyrics all the way through. I just heard the stuff about how she cooks and cleans and cranks out kids. I thought it was a smarmy ode to being a traditional housewife with a smarmy sexist expression for a chorus. The irony was completely lost on me. Color me whooshed (or just inattentive…that was a “change the station quick” song for me). ---
**Author:** ![Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/4da419/32.png) [@Gala\_Matrix\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gala_Matrix_Fire)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/39 "2006-08-23T21:41:05Z")
Isn’t there some really creepy stuff from Gary Puckett and the Union Gap? “…behind the charms of a woman, you hid the secret of your youth…” Not quite misogynistic, but creepy. ---
**Author:** ![Fast\_n\_Bulbous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7ab992/32.png) [@Fast\_n\_Bulbous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fast_n_Bulbous)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2006, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880/40 "2006-08-23T22:26:54Z")
Frank Zappa’s [“Bamboozled By Love”](http://www.poemsplace.net/html/59/270424.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misogynist-lyrics-songs-from-the-pre-hip-hop-era/369880.md?page=3)