Throughout their entire musical careers, Ke$ha and Gwen Stefani utilize the lyrics of their work to reflect their respective situations at the time (should their labels allow it.) When analyzed completely devoid of any emotional vocal inflections or visual additions, the lyrics of their songs alone have the ability to touch on any subject; From addressing previous sexual offenders or their bosses in the industry, to providing an ironic commentary on women’s abilities and the spaces restricted to them based on their gender. Sometimes, the darker more serious nature of lyrics is hidden by additional musical styles, attributes, or fast tempos, when in reality there is a deep social critique just below the surface.
“Just A Girl”
When analyzed void of any visual or vocal context, even the lyrics of Gwen Stefani’s hit “Just A Girl” can strike listeners with its invigorating feminist ideals and social contrast on toxic masculinity. In a genre (pop) where women often sing about a subject matter relating to their dependence on love and men, Stefani’s lyrics in this song are a refreshing change of scenery– highlighting how the singer doesn’t want to be defined by the men in her life. By singing lines like “this world is forcing me to hold your hand,” “[I’m] just your typical prototype,” and “Oh, I’m just a girl, guess I’m some kind of freak,” Stefani is providing listeners with a stern ironic critique of everything women supposedly can, and cannot do according to the hypermasculine standards of 2000s America. Along with this, the lyrics reflect her feelings of discontent with the way women are forced to act in American society. She follows these lines with “Oh, I’ve had it up to here, oh, am I making myself clear?” (Songmeanings.com) Taking a break from her iconic gestures, she frankly tells listeners that she will no longer put up with the sexist way women are treated in their day to day lives, and in the music industry. The prolific meaning of “Just A Girl” is reflected by the fact that while even reading the lyrics without a matching video or track, a reader is able to construe Stefani’s frustration and anger towards sexism in America, and sense how badly she wants something to be done about it. As one would learn through research into her past, these feelings come directly from her own experience with inequality and hardship in her life, which is why I believe she is attempting so hard to instill a sense of individuality and a need for change in young women listeners.
(Gwen Stefani in the studio)
Carpenter, Cassie. “Gwen Stefani and Husband Gavin Rossdale Take Their Pomeranian Chewy on a Sunny Stroll.” Daily Mail Online, Associated Newspapers, 17 Apr. 2013, www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2310254/Gwen-Stefani-husband-Gavin-Rossdale-Pomeranian-Chewy-sunny-stroll.html.
“Woman”
In terms of pure weight behind her lyrics, Ke$ha is no different from Stefani. Her song “Woman” includes lyrics such as “I buy my own things, I pay my own bills,” “These diamond rings, my automobiles, everything I got, I bought it” and “’I’m a motherfucking woman, baby, alright, I don’t need a man to be holding me too tight.” (Genius.com) On this track, Ke$ha is not attempting to take a convoluted route to get to her point; Her lyrics get straight to the point, which is that she does not, and has never needed a man to be successful and that her setbacks and adversities have only made her stronger. Much like Destiny’s Child’s “Independent Woman,” where Ke$ha’s lyrics share a striking resemblance to “I buy my own diamonds and I buy my own rings,” the song is meant to inspire young women and show them that they don’t need male validation or assistance to make something of themselves. (Destiny’s Child – Independent Women, Pt. 1 (Official Video)) These lyrics also hold extreme importance for Ke$ha, as “Woman” was written and recorded in the midst of her heated legal battle over sexual assault and harassment allegations with producer Dr. Luke, these words were carried by Ke$ha’s own traumatic experiences, giving them far more meaning. Ke$ha’s lyrics on “Woman” directly build on the ideas Stefani set in place years prior with “Just A Girl” by expressing her discontent with sexism in America. However, Ke$ha tweaks the delivery by cutting out the “winking” and sly ironic wordplay, getting straight to blunt statements about female empowerment and her lack of need for male validation or assistance.