Posted in: World Music by zoeyclark on April 7th, 2010 | 9 Comments
A look at how the concept"sex sells" dominate pop music and videos, along with a look at Shakira’s career.
Sex Sells. You don’t have to like it and there might be exceptions once in a while (and thank god for those) but it really doesn’t challenge status quo enough. I am frankly tired of seeing Mariah Carey’s boobs all the time, for instance. But is it even her fault? Sex sells movies, records, products…
Bon Jovi lead singer Jon Bon Jovi
Image via Wikipedia
Guitarist Richie Sambora
Bon Jovi was about to release an album named Sex Sells. It would have been cool and I had even heard that they had a song named that. But the song didn’t come out and they named the album Crush instead. While boys of Bon Jovi never took their shirts off for the sake of eye candy, it is indisputable that some of their popularity is due to the good looks of front man Jon Bon Jovi and sex appeal of guitarist Richie Sambora. Yes, they are talented musicians who write good songs but (un)fortunately, the sex factor contributed somewhat to the record sales.
When it comes to pop stars though, it seems it is inevitable that the videos will include the singer and someone from the opposite sex, fooling around, as explicitly as possible (as MTV will allow). It is crucial for the female to dress down. I used to think Shakira was different when she first came out. Remember the red hair? Songs in her native tongue? The belly dance in her jeans? Well- I had thought here we go. A breath of fresh air. And then her album in English, the red was replaced with blond, clothes were off- she was a hit and I absolutely couldn’t stand her. Like the world needed another blond, underdressed, sex-selling pop singer. I am not against dressing sexy. But if all you do is dress sexy, sing the same songs all over again and your videos all about you fooling around with a guy, I am not going to like you. Enjoy Shakira’s Ojos Asi- before she went all blonde and typical…
Want to hear pop music that sounds good? Without the singers dressing down? Listen to The Corrs.
My Music Articles on Triond:
Bon Jovi Were Born to be FollowedTop Three Cover Songs: Alient Ant Farm, Warrant and Ugly Kid JoeFun Rock Poll for Rock FansRock N Roll Mischief: 10 Dirty Rock Songs
Other Music-related articles on my blog:
lillyrose April 7th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
great right up!! you are right in what you say
Christine Ramsay April 7th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
I think it is so unnecessary to appear in a state of undress to sell albums. If the albums are good they will sell anyway. A very good article.
Christine
zoeyclark April 7th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
~Thank you both. I am so sick of bumping into an endless stream of videos by identical pop stars. It is so annoying. If you have an edge, keep it. Otherwise, you are just like everybody else.
Guy Hogan April 7th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
When sex stops selling albums they will stop using it.
zoeyclark April 8th, 2010 at 4:49 am
Sex won’t stop selling. But, it is no excuse to just use sex all the time and stop creating good work.
Sharif Ishnin April 8th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Hi Zoey, this is Guy. he just came back.lol.
zoeyclark April 8th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
ha ha:)
8Shei8 April 8th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
I do like Shakira! Her music is okay but she is a great entertainer
zoeyclark April 9th, 2010 at 9:04 am
She entertains fine but I really wish she would go back to her Ojos Asi days.:) After the blonde diva thing, the only song Iike is gypsy.