The Pill

In my quest to discover a fun topic for my last blog I mulled over it for quite a long time but ended up deciding that while working on my Final Project, I can expand on some of the ideas here to do a sort of mock peer review. Also, for the sake of the length of all the papers and written correspondence Dr. Hanrahan would be reading I thought I can really flesh out a point or two on this platform instead of writing a novel. First of all, I'm going to take a minute to propose my thesis or big idea for my project. It is a traditional essay with a twist. So here's the pitch: It takes a source-based analysis of our course readings and combines the big ideas we have formulated along the way with a playlist for gendered humor, similar to Dave Holmes' pop-culture influenced narrative. In total, these songs use interpretive language as a humor-filled catharsis to common gender conflicts. By using distinct literary devices such as irony and sarcasm, these artists can convey big ideas in loaded lyrics. So I guess you can say this is my practice run for the final project?? I really like writing about music so I will subject you to it once more.

I'll give you a taste of the songs by starting off with one of my favorites:

"The Pill" by Loretta Lynn


Definitely listen to this once through just to hear that funky guitar that pairs so well with that classic country vibe. Her sassy lyrics make this a stellar feminist anthem.
Check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DcdONaKSQM

Here are the lyrics so you can do a close read too:

You wined me and dined me

When I was your girl

Promised if I'd be your wife

You'd show me the world

But all I've seen of this old world

Is a bed and a doctor bill

I'm tearin' down your brooder house

'Cause now I've got the pill

All these years I've stayed at home

While you had all your fun

And every year that's gone by

Another babys come

There's a gonna be some changes made

Right here on nursery hill

You've set this chicken your last time

'Cause now I've got the pill

This old maternity dress I've got

Is goin' in the garbage

The clothes I'm wearin' from now on

Won't take up so much yardage

Miniskirts, hot pants and a few little fancy frills

Yeah I'm makin' up for all those years

Since I've got the pill

I'm tired of all your crowin'

How you and your hens play

While holdin' a couple in my arms

Another's on the way

This chicken's done tore up her nest

And I'm ready to make a deal

And ya can't afford to turn it down

'Cause you know I've got the pill

This incubator is overused

Because you've kept it filled

The feelin' good comes easy now

Since I've got the pill

It's gettin' dark it's roostin' time

Tonight's too good to be real

Oh but daddy don't you worry none

'Cause mama's got the pill

Oh daddy don't you worry none

'Cause mama's got the pill

So, back to the big idea. What makes this funny? To put it plainly, women have had it up to here (insert elevated hand gesture) with the patriarchal oppression! By using creative language devices such as sarcasm and irony to talk about gender issues through humor. The culmination of ideas that have influenced one generation after another by rejecting or pointing out flaws in our perceived norms. The more we listen, the more we can focus on evidence of feminism, socially mandated roles, and conflicts in the human condition, that we conveniently express in a variety of mediums that integrate themes, positions, and ideas into things that we consume for fun.

What makes Loretta's song just so awesome is that it was banned for the radio when it was released in 1975, but Loretta got the last laugh. This song celebrates birth control and all the freedom it offers to married women who don't want or can't afford another baby. Right up there with “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore, “Think” by Aretha Franklin and “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor, this song is evidence of badass women making a statement before it was cool. In the 1970s subjects such as women's sexuality, desire, and control over their own bodies were heavily scrutinized, but considered taboo to be discussed in public. So for Loretta to belt these defiant lyrics way before Carrie Underwood took a Louisville Slugger to both headlights. The topic of birth control itself is controversial because it opens opportunities for women to gain employment, support children financially, have a little bit of stability, and not have to risk death during childbirth from frequent pregnancies. Still, this is one of Loretta's most popular songs and is remembered for its feminist contributions. While the song may have been banned from the radio, I guess Loretta still had the last laugh.