Three Very Different Music Videos

After viewing the videos by Leslie Gore, Fiona Apple, and Lil’ Kim, I was immediately aware of our changing society. It was evident that the image of women in our society has changed drastically over the years.

Leslie Gore
As the video “It’s My Party and I’ll Cry If I Want To” began, I was immediately struck by Leslie Gore’s conservative dress. Her shirt is up around her neck and she is wearing a blazer over the top of it. The stage is full of others dancing, giving it the feeling of a party. She is singing about the fact that her boyfriend left with Judy, another woman. She is singing in a “matter of fact” tone. She is helpless in the situation and she won’t enjoy herself without John. Although the lyrics continue to repeat, “It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to,” she isn’t portrayed as being emotional. Her eyes are dry and she is almost smiling throughout the song.

Fiona Apple
This video is very different from the last. In “Criminal” Fiona Apple is viewed as a confused girl who has done something very wrong. When the video begins, the viewer sees her as a seductive woman who is taking advantage of someone. However, there are several references throughout the video of her being a confused adolescent. There is a stuffed animal that is shown a few different times and at one point, she is shown curled up in the closet, wearing long braids. Some of her physical actions also seem juvenile. For example, she is chewing on her hand like a child in one scene. The video has a mysterious quality that leaves the viewer confused about the message. However, I felt that the video made more sense after reading the critique. In contrast to the first video, she is portrayed as insecure and scared. She isn’t portrayed as having power considering when the man appears in the video it is contrasted with her in an insecure adolescent role.
Additionally, her video also has sexual overtones that were absent in the previous video. In both videos, we can assume that cheating took place. The Gore video alludes to handholding whereas in the Fiona Apple video, she is shown zipping up her pants.

Lil’Kim
This video absolutely blew my mind. It was an extreme change from the previous two videos. I had to watch it a few times to fully understand the message. After the first scene where they were assembling a mannequin, I thought that it would reference how everyone was the same. I then forgot that part as the video continued to unfold. My initial impression was the Lil’Kim was being portrayed as a strong woman who got what she wanted. In this case, sex. She seemed very in control, confident, and not ashamed of her actions. That is a contrast to Fiona Apple’s video. As the end approached and revealed that she was three different sexual adventures, I realized that the mannequin in the beginning was her being constructed to please …men. Now, I question if she is being portrayed as strong or weak.

I have to admit that I am not a music buff and I was not familiar with the names of these performing artists. I immediately knew and could sing along with Leslie Gore and Fiona Apple. The Lil’ Kim song was completely unknown to me. I realize that I recognize Fiona Apple because she was popular in my college years; however, I wasn’t even alive when “It’s My Party” was released and I definitely was too young to remember when it was popular. However, I have several memories of dancing to this song at different parties throughout my life.

When we study popular music, we are referencing music that is popular during specific periods in time. However, what makes a song become a classic? I would guess that in 30 years people will still be sing Leslie Gore’s song, but Fiona Apple and Lil’Kim will not even be a vague memory. I think that the sex appeal sells in the short run, and artists think that it is the best way to reach the top. However, the quality of the music and the talent of the artist is truly were the success lies.

Lastly, with the topic of this course being “Popular Music in Classroom”, I couldn’t help but consider classroom use after viewing the videos. Fiona Apple and Lil’ Kim do not belong in the classroom, nor do they provide an educational message for students. How do educators incorporate music into their classrooms and engage students when our adolescents have access to these inappropriate videos that they find more entertaining.

Overall, the three videos clearly depict a transition in how women have been portrayed throughout the years. The thing that I find ironic is that women don’t appreciate how they are perceived in the media and in commercials, however, women create these video images for the world to see and interpret negatively.