The first lineage I choose to explore includes the songs “Typical Girls” by The Slits, Cool Schmool by Bratmobile, and Just a Girl by No Doubt. These songs contain a similar message to “A Living Human Girl” by The Regrettes, as they call out gender stereotypes they face as women.
“Typical Girls” by The Slits released in 1979, is carried by a catchy piano melody and the lyrics critique gender conformity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brtGLeNR12g
“Typical girls are looking for something
Typical girls fall under spells
Typical girls buy magazines
Typical girls feel like hell
Typical girls worry about spots, fat
And natural smells, stinky fake smells”
Overall, this verse critiques how societal institutions pressure women and young girls to conform, resulting in lack of confidence and anxiety in females. Lydia Night from The Regrettes speaks similarly on this issue. She writes,
“I’ve got pimples on my face
And grease in my hair
And prickly legs, go ahead and stare.”
Both writers protest preconceived notions of femininity.
“Cool Schmool” by Bratmobile was released in 1993, the lyrics critique the punk rock music scene and the expectations set forth for women in the industry. Bratmobile was an iconic riot grrrl band, pioneering the path for later artists like The Regrettes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zug8C4KcGfQ
Frontwoman Allison Wolfe writes,
“I just want to be one of the boys
I just want to be your little fashion toy”
These two lines ironically suggest the roles available to women in order to be accepted. One common role is to act like a man and the other is to behave in a passive manner, like a “toy.”
Likewise, Lydia Night embraces the multifaceted experience of being a woman, she remarks in the chorus,
“Sometimes I’m girly and sometimes I’m not
So let’s take a listen, hit me with your best shot”
Lydia Night refuses to accept these assigned gender roles which are especially prevalent for women in the music industry.
“Just a Girl” by No Doubt famously protests patriarchal society. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHzOOQfhPFg
Gwen Stefani writes,
“’Cause I’m just a girl, oh, little old me
Well, don’t let me out of your sight
Oh, I’m just a girl, all pretty and petite
So don’t let me have any rights”
With a sarcastic flair, Stefani mocks the perspective of those who view women as powerless and needing protection. She also points out the unequal rights that women are challenged with.
Night would agree with Stefani, as she pushes back against those stereotypes that women are meek and submissive. Night states,
“Because I can be brave and I can be bold
No matter what you have to say”
Night directly asserts her power, while Stefani indirectly does so. However, both writers protest the gender constructs society places them in.
October 10, 2022 at 6:28 am
Izzy,
This is a thoughtful introduction to how gender stereotypes have been considered by different punk and ska artists, and I appreciate you sharing the lyrics. You have, however, only presented 1 of 2 requested lineages.
I would also like you to pay attention in future posts to the presentation of the information, which in online spaces is just as important as the information itself. That is, please embed videos instead of just pasting in URLs. Block quote (or indent) lyrics. Use proper punctuation consistently around song titles. And, remember that these posts (and your podcast) are available to anyone with Internet access, so compose the posts in such a way that makes them less in response to an assignment than a discussion of an issue you have great interest in.
Bill