The word music comes from the Greek muses, the nine beings of creativity. The muses induced inspiration to those in need of imagination. Music can be influential in similar ways; thus, the reason the word was invented. Since the beginning of time, music has been in existence. Whether it was the soft sound of a flowing stream intertwined with the melodic chirps of birds or the latest Evanescence song, music simply is.
People, stereotypically teenagers, like to be able to identify with the music they listen to. They want to be understood and distinguishing a “theme song” to their personality helps them with their lifelong path of understanding. One’s theme song usually is given this title of honor because it stirs powerful emotion within its listener. Whether the song is generally accepted, or not widely known, a theme song is a personal and powerful tool for inspiration and energy. The song “Girl Anachronism” by the band duo the Dresden Dolls is a perfect example of a somewhat underground theme song.
Of course, any song may be a theme song to someone; however, some songs are more probable than others and the content of that song conveys whether it is or isn’t. “Girl Anachronism” is about a girl who doesn’t quite fit in to her generation. The protagonist of this song isn’t given a name for the sake of having a wider audience relating to the song. The lead singer, Amanda Palmer, has a very angry tone in this song to reinforce the frustration of not being able to comprehend those living in the world she is living in. Parents can usually relate to feeling anachronistic; however, is it because they were born so seemingly long ago and their world has significantly changed, usually due to technology and the perpetual pushing of sexual boundaries in society. A true anachronism has been displaced by time and was never living in the time he or she believes he or she should be. There lies the key difference. The anachronism has never actually been able to experience their sought after generation.
The protagonist describes herself in the beginning of the song: “you can tell by the scars on my arms and the cracks in my hips and the dents on my car and the blisters on my lips that I‘m not the carefullest of girls.” The picture blatantly depicts a younger women who doesn’t conform to the societal norm of her time and seeks a more accepting era. This portrayal appeals particularly to the semi-depressed teenager who doesn’t feel as though he or she fits in. What is semi-interesting, is the superlative form of the word “careful.” Carefullest, obviously, is not a word. This could be taken as feeling less than adequate -- nearly infantile. Because she does not fit it, she feels vulnerable. The controversy of this song lies in that first segment of the first line, “you can tell by the scars on my arms.” In recent years, a cutting epidemic has broken out. Teenagers and even people into their early thirties use a medium to inflict pain upon themselves because they would rather feel physical pain as opposed to emotional pain. If one is not feeling understood and has no constructive means of dealing with their stress, this detrimental form of therapy could result. These small pictures in this song provide evidence showing that the protagonist is, indeed, a younger woman. Aside from the title providing the gender, cutting usually is done by the female sex, rather than the male. She has these certain characteristics about herself that convey the differences between her and the rest of the females of her world. She believes the females of her era are careful, delicate and simply suppress all of their emotions so no one can see them. She thinks them to be stoic and all the same; thus, by not following suit, she feels ostracized.
On the other hand, a conventional theme song would be “Can‘t Hold Us Down” by Christina Aguilera. This song was played on the radio quite frequently, which makes it well-known. Many women relate to this song because male suppression is still alive and well and women like to hear about other women not taking it anymore. This theme song empowers its listeners. It persuades them to take action. No specific audience is implied in “Can‘t Hold Us Down.” This technique is used by many mainstream artists to widen their range in listeners and even some underground artists who want to gain a larger audience. Some artists don’t care to be popular and merely want to get their message across through their music. Christina Aguilera, despite what she may say, does not. Her primary goal is to make more money than she needs and be the ultimate sex symbol. The fact that she isn’t an eye sore and dresses like a prostitute makes her appealing to men and, unfortunately, young women.
It’s amazing that she released a song worthy of being called a theme song at all. Of course, one must take into consideration she did not write a word of it and she doesn’t write a word of any of her music; however, she did have the choice of singing it or not. It almost seems to be a song to be proud of. Almost being the key word. Some artists simply will never be respectable because they do not have their priorities straight. Despite her faults, “Can‘t Hold Us Down” is and shall remain a very good example of a feministic theme song. An example of her use of feminism lies in the line “call me a bitch because I speak what’s on my mind. Yes, it’s easier for you to swallow if I sat and smiled.” She also used a touch of controversy by saying the word “bitch,” but she could’ve been much more controversial had she not been worried about who she offended. The beat is catchy, naturally, because Christina wants to maintain her stream of listeners and she even featured a rap artist named Lil Kim to combine both her audience and Lil Kim’s. The video somewhat counteracts the song’s message due to the attire Christina chose to wear.
These two songs, ”Girl Anachronism” and “Can‘t Hold Us Down,” have many differences; however, they also have many similarities. Granted one song comes from a well-known hooker-in-training and the other comes from a respectable band from Boston, they both carry strong messages of identity in these particular songs. “Can’t Hold Us Down” declared that women should be proud of what they are, namely, women! It stated that men live easier if women are seen and not heard and that is completely wrong. About half way through the song, Christina says “you must talk so big to make up for smaller things.” This kick at the male gender indicated a small amount of humor to contrast the serious nature of the song. Usually, this sort of contrast isn’t placed properly and sticks out like a sore thumb; however, in this song, it fits quite nicely because of the artist singing it. “Girl Anachronism” by the Dresden Dolls is a relatively unknown song because it was never of the radio air waves, which is unfortunate. This song’s intended audience is significantly narrower than that of “Can’t Hold Us Down” because of the description is gives in the beginning. The lyrics aren’t particularly forceful, but the way they are delivered by Amanda make them so. In the majority of her music, Amanda gives a very distinguishing tone. In doing so, the listener can understand what he or she is supposed to be feeling. Christina does not do this often. Her tone and personality in her music stays comparatively the same. Placing them together, Amanda seems to use acting techniques in her music, whereas Christina does not. Even by comparing both of their appearances in their live performances and music videos, they severely differ. Amanda and her partner, Brian Viglione put white make up on their faces and black make up on their eyes and lips to give the image of a doll -- hence their name, the Dresden Dolls. Their attire is also to be similar to that of a doll’s. Christina, on the other hand, wears very revealing clothing for the sole purpose of sex appeal. She wears altogether too much make up to add to her false purpose.
Although women in music has really only taken place with a couple hundred years, the female gender has made leaps in this art form. Music in its most native and natural form is suppose to entertain and stir the imagination. Before the technology existed to synthesize songs and before so-called pop stars could lip sync their own music, music was an easy way to pass the time. Although music has always been controversial because it was thought to be perverse to those considered to be “well-to-do,” the surrounding controversy perpetuated the love of it among the younger generations since the beginning of time. If music were insignificant and dull, the nine muses of creativity would’ve never come to be in classical Greek mythology. Music is as stimulating and imperative as the world we live on and those people who keep chaos from drawing near. It can stop wars and bring friend and foe together. Few arts in this world as are powerful as that of music.
As time progresses, music will change, but the definition will always remain the same. Simply because music reflects society, doesn’t mean the origin has to as well. “Girl Anachronism” and “Can’t Hold Us Down” will quietly fade away as songs have done in the past because they have not completely changed the world. However, their slight impact will remain in subtle, indirect ways such as the continuation of feminism and the pride people should have to be distinctly unique. Perhaps we, as a society, will come to the end of progression and begin at the primitive stages once again. Music will continue to impact and reflect the changes that occur. No force in existence can halt music and, most likely, no force ever shall.
For Rhetoric.
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