Sex in popular music from 2000-2015
Sex is a topic that is discussed frequently within Christianity. The most noteworthy belief on the topic is that men and women must wait until they are married before the participate in any form of sexual activity with another person. It is a considered a sin to disobey this rule. Sex is in act that is regarded as intimate, magical, and special - something that should only be done with someone who you plan to spend the rest of your life with.
Society is shifting further and further away from abstinence until marriage being considered the norm. While there is nothing at all wrong with this, as it is purely everyone's own decision how they choose to live their life, the media has exponentially increased the discussion on sex. Music, movies, art, television - sex is everywhere. Music is an outlet for artists, a place where they can sing about their lives. It is evident that sex is a topic that the artists mentioned below feel very comfortable singing about, and they have no problem expressing their emotions and feelings on the topic. Their sexualized music videos and lyrics leave few things to the imagination for those watching and listening.
The first video is of Christina Aguilera and her song "Dirrty" which was released in 2002. This song was from her successful album titled Stripped. The song charted on countdown charts all around the world, including on Billboard charts in the USA. The song was nominated for a Grammy in 2003. When listening to the song, it can be noted that it is not strictly about sex, but more about being in clubs dancing and partying, with many sexual references mentioned. The video is also full of sexuality - both men and women dancing promiscuously in very little clothing.
It is very evident that this song can be considered an example when discussing sexuality in pop music.
Society is shifting further and further away from abstinence until marriage being considered the norm. While there is nothing at all wrong with this, as it is purely everyone's own decision how they choose to live their life, the media has exponentially increased the discussion on sex. Music, movies, art, television - sex is everywhere. Music is an outlet for artists, a place where they can sing about their lives. It is evident that sex is a topic that the artists mentioned below feel very comfortable singing about, and they have no problem expressing their emotions and feelings on the topic. Their sexualized music videos and lyrics leave few things to the imagination for those watching and listening.
The first video is of Christina Aguilera and her song "Dirrty" which was released in 2002. This song was from her successful album titled Stripped. The song charted on countdown charts all around the world, including on Billboard charts in the USA. The song was nominated for a Grammy in 2003. When listening to the song, it can be noted that it is not strictly about sex, but more about being in clubs dancing and partying, with many sexual references mentioned. The video is also full of sexuality - both men and women dancing promiscuously in very little clothing.
It is very evident that this song can be considered an example when discussing sexuality in pop music.
The next song that shows that sexuality is portrayed in music is Rocket by Beyonce, from her self titled album released in 2013. The song was written by a long list of A-lister musicians, and is made up of sexual references explained through metaphors of nature. Unlike Dirrty by Christina Aguilera, this song purely revolves around sex and is very graphic when the metaphors are taken out of the context of nature. Although there is not an actual music video for this song, Beyonce is known for being very sexual in many of her music videos. She has explained that it makes her feel like a strong woman to bring her sexuality out in her music.
As a final example of sexuality portrayed in music, "Ignition Remix" by R. Kelly is one that likely screams out to many people. Released in 2003 from R. Kelly's album Chocolate Factory, the song is full of metaphors that are obviously all relating to sex. The lyrics consist of descriptions of women, mixed with sexual acts that involve the women being describe and R. Kelly.
There are countless examples that could be listed of award-winning, chart-placing artists who have written and performed songs that relate purely to sex over the past fifteen years. The three that have been listed here are songs that have been familiar to me for a long time, or that I have grown to enjoy, regardless of the sexuality within them. It is clear that songs such as the ones listed above do not fit within what Christianity would consider "appropriate" when it comes to the sexuality.
Image links from header:
http://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Dirrty-christina-aguileratgj.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/02/23/article-2565806-1BBFA93000000578-971_634x865.jpg
http://amarudontv.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/r-kelly.jpg