The song “Woman in the White House” by Sheryl Crow sends a very powerful message across to listeners. She’s discussing how as women it’s time we stand up and try to make a difference and get a shot at having a woman as president. In one part of the song she says “Well we like to spend money, But not money we ain’t got, And we can balance a checkbook, And girls let me tell you what, It’s time to clean up capitol hill, With a shovel and a pair of high heels”. Right there I think she has a point. Most women can balance a check book and know how to save money, but not all women do. It’s a powerful message, but we already have tried to get women in the White House but not everyone went for it. Unfortunately I think it will be a long time till society becomes conferrable with have a woman as president.
The album cover also sends a powerful vibe across. In the background you see the white house small looking so small. Then in front you see a pair of women’s legs dressed in black tights and black heels. Showing empowerment over the White House and it looks as though it’s sending a message that women are going to take over the White House. It’s a strong message and perfect for the album. Since it’s her first country album, I don’t know if this would sell a ton of copies considering most people who do listen to country talk a lot about tractors, beer, hunting, fishing and so on. To talk about such a political statement in a country album may not get all the listeners it needs to get the point across. Over all having a woman as president sounds just fine to me and she’s sending a very powerful message so maybe this is what this country needs to get that point across to other listeners.
Jessica, in your post you say that political statements are somewhat out of place in country songs. To this I would like to point you in the direction of Toby Keith's song "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" which was ranked 25 on the Hot 100 list, according to Wikipedia. I remember this song being played almost non-stop in tons of different places. It pretty much became the song that many people began to associate with the nation trying to stabilize after the attacks on September 11th, 2001. It is not overtly political, but enough to the point to show that country songs can in fact be popular and still have a slight political tone to it. It also in a way shows that not all country songs are about the stuff you mentioned, though I do agree that quite of them bit deal with these topics.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I would say that having a female president in the not-so-distant future could be very likely. Especially with some of the more radical changes that transpired in this past election. Who would have thought that marijuana and same-sex marriages could be even legitimately considered in governments and such? And even though Obama practically seems to be just another president by now, his stay in office is extremely monumental due to him being the first African-American president. So I'd say don't give up hope for a female president, because sooner or later, it's bound to happen. And I personally feel that it will be sooner.
-Matthew S.
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