During the time between “Just A Girl” and “Woman” (2004-2017) the use of visuals for female artists was a popular way of enhancing the message their song was meant to characterize; sometimes adding a comprehensive storyline to parallel their lyrics. For instance, these two songs use both cars and performance spaces as visual motifs to illustrate a striking dichotomy about the climate of the music industry and gender equality during the times they were released. Pairing perfectly with the artist’s lyrics, the imagery essentially completes their respective agendas, painting a complete, thought-provoking picture.
“Just A Girl”
Along with the lyrics and timbre, the music video accompanying Gwen Stefani’s “Just A Girl” serves its purpose in highlighting the deep social issues she is trying to illustrate through this record. The video begins with visuals of Stefani sitting in the middle-back seat of a car– oftentimes viewed as the worst and most uncomfortable seat in the car– between her two “No Doubt” bandmates. Next, the men in the video can be seen carrying a large number of performance props such as large amplifiers, guitars, and basses into the men’s bathroom. In the meantime, Stefani enters the women’s room, along with a couple service maids, and just a small amplifier. The side-by-side visuals of the two performance spaces are meant to show the direct contrast between the opportunities of the male and female gender, as well as the literal difference in spaces the two are allowed to occupy. The men perform with a full band and stereo system, while Stefani performs with her measly microphone and a small amp. Soon, the men are seen dancing around and singing while the women’s bathroom becomes filled with women applying makeup– another reference to the unfair societal ideals that women are expected to abide by. The video then progresses to show these same women of all nationalities and ages dancing while the men sneak from their bathroom into the women’s. (“No Doubt – Just A Girl.”) This symbolizes gender equality and Stefani’s fight for it, as all the individuals in the video seem happier once they are all occupying the same space.
(Gwen Stefani in her video for “Just A Girl” both sitting in the middle seat of the car, and in the bathroom performing with her small amplifier)
No Doubt. “No Doubt – Just A Girl.” Youtube, uploaded by NoDoubtTV, Oct 7, 2009, youtube.com/watch?v=PHzOOQfhPFg&feature=emb_title
“Woman”
The video for Ke$ha’s “Woman” interestingly begins with the image of a car driving on the highway while a different song plays. The lyrics playing are from Ke$ha’s song “Hunt You Down.” The viewer hears “I wanna be your baby, your angel all in black, your little blue-eyes gypsy, who’s always got your back.” Ke$ha quickly exclaims “Shut up!” and the audio for “Woman” begins. Ke$ha loudly begins to sing, immediately establishing this new image or vibe for the song. She is driving the car, with a woman sitting to her left, while three men sit in the back seat. As opposed to the video for “Just A Girl,” this imagery shows the progression of the disposition of women. While Stefani sat uncomfortably in the backseat, Ke$ha now sits in the driver’s seat with her friend. The video progresses to see Ke$ha arrive at a bar and start performing the remainder of the song. She is accompanied by a full band of instruments, oud amplifies, and streamers hanging from the ceiling. (“Kesha – Woman (Official Video) ft. The Dap-Kings Horns.”) Gwen Stefani and Ke$ha use both cars and performance spaces in their videos to serve as representations of gender inequality. The difference between these two videos is a progression in the obvious sonic and physical spaces that the two artists– representing women nationwide– are allowed by American society to occupy. Both videos, in their way, are meant to use the experiences of the artists, lyrics, timbre, and visuals to inspire their young female audience to be proud of their sexuality, and to show them that anything can be overcome with determination and perseverance… and girl power.
(Kesha, in her music video for “Woman,” sitting in the driver’s seat of a car, and performing with a full band behind her in a bar)
Kesha. “Kesha – Woman (Official Video) ft. The Dap-Kings Horns.” Youtube, uploaded by kesha, Jul 13, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXyA4MXKIKo&feature=emb_title