Essay on the commodification of women in music

The female body is represented in many ways in different genres of music. The social- cultural constructs and cultural stereotypes of women are very evident in music. The male domination of women is portrayed in music through repetition of acts of vulnerability, dependence, and receptivity. Women in most cases are portrayed as sex objects or as objects of male desire. Culture is the one that defines the cultural and social construction of women bodies (McCarthy, nd).
Music is therefore rife with a commodification of women body’s . Women are represented as materialistic, sexually available and licentious in many music videos. Women bodies are commoditized in music as material objects. This commoditization puts women under pressure of constricting their material bodies into some particular forms of femininity (McCarthy, nd).
While composing this song a woman of substance, I wanted to portray an alternate picture to the commodification of women in music. The song paints a picture of a virtuous woman and non-materialistic woman. The chorus of the song emphasizes that the men who show off their money are a turn off to a woman of substance. I would prefer this song to be sung by a young modest dressed woman so that the appearance of the woman can rhyme with the virtuousness theme of the song.
The genre of the song is country music. The song is directed to men who show off their money to women. The theme of the song is that money is not a major determinant of whom a woman dates. This song portrays a woman of substance cannot be commoditized as something that cannot be bought with money. The women portrayed in this song are not interested in men who have money so that they can depend on them for financial provision. The women are interested in well-mannered men.
The songs illustrates that money and love are two different things, and that money cannot buy love. The song creates a notion that money is not the main motivation that can make a woman of substance get interested in a man.

Lyrics to the song I am a woman of substance

CHORUS
I am not your ordinary woman
I am a woman of substance

If you think, your money will impress me

Guys who floss their money are not my type! Ooh yeee!
You are street-smart and a successful business mogul
And i think that is alright
But the problem is, you floss too much
I am not a fly to be caught with honey
I am a woman of substance

And guys who floss their money are not my type! Ooh yeee!

Chorus
I aint in need of a brother like you
I want a Caring, loving, and honest brother

Somebody who can be there for me to listen to me

Stop acting shallow, money does not buy love
Chorus
Concentrate on your paper chase, forget this game
Get into the streets and learn the basics of love
Money is not everything in a relationship
Money cannot buy you a woman of Substance
Chorus
Make the right moves boy forget the chase
A nice car, a nice house and a nice job that is ok!
You have the money to spend and money to lend
But it a’int money I am looking for in a Man
Guys who floss their money are not my type! Ooh yeee!

References

McCarthy Kate (nd) “ Not pretty girls? Sexuality, spirituality and gender construction in
Women’s Rock music”. California: San Francisco state university.