When a beat is too good or a hook is too catchy, many of us just groove and don't even pay attention to the lyrics. But that's not everybody.
When a song has lyrics that stick out for reasons that don't have anything to do with good songwriting or production but rather, the overall message, you know someone is going to have a lot to say about it. From songs that talk about taking advantage of people when they're intoxicated to others that just have creepy messages, these are popular tracks some people love while others say they're quite problematic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY-Xk3sGr6Q
How Many Drinks? - Miguel
Despite being infectious, Miguel's "How Many Drinks?" was given the side-eye by some for the hook, which basically said, I'll buy you drinks but don't want to waste my time if it won't get you to go home with me: How many drinks would it take you to leave with me? Yeah you look good, and I got money But I don't wanna waste my time Back of my mind, I'm hoping you say two or three You look good; we came to party But I don't wanna waste my time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyDUC1LUXSUBlurred Lines - Robin Thicke
For all of its popularity, who didn't call out "Blurred Lines"? The idea of a woman who a guy believes wants to get hot and heavy in the sack but won't explicitly say it ididn't sit right with many: Good girl I know you want it I know you want it I know you want it You're a good girl Can't let it get past me You're far from plastic Talk about getting blasted I hate these blurred lines I know you want it I know you want it I know you want it But you're a good girl The way you grab me Must wanna get nasty Go ahead, get at me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQLuhelCaDQBack to Sleep - Chris Brown
Catchy song indeed, but from the explicit hook alone, I think we can all admit the track is creepy: Just let me rock, f--k you back to sleep girl Don't say a word no, don't you talk Just hold on tight to me girl F--k you back to sleep girl rock you back https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK_0jXPuIr0What Do You Mean? - Justin Bieber
While Bieber claimed the song was about women being "flip-floppy" when it comes to the things they say and desire in a relationship, people felt it was a creepy song that started a conversation about sexual consent: What do you mean? Oh, oh When you nod your head yes But you wanna say no What do you mean? Hey-ey When you don't want me to move But you tell me to go What do you mean? Oh, what do you mean? Said you're running out of time, what do you mean? Oh, oh, oh, what do you mean? Better make up your mind What do you mean? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTz71c0YvdgDon't Be Afraid - Aaron Hall
Aaron Hall may have thought he was being sexy with "Don't Be Afraid," but there was plenty to be afraid of with lyrics like these: Now I have you all to myself You can put all the other guys all on the shelf No need to run and no need to hide All the doors are locked baby and I have you inside You can yell and you can hit me It just makes me horny Ain’t nothing but a love thing baby Between me and you So just give in baby, don’t worry about a thing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfjtpp90lu8Blame It on the Alcohol - Jamie Foxx
We don't really feel the creepiness others claimed they did when it comes to "Blame It on the Alcohol" because it's a fun club anthem. However, a writer wasn't happy with it, putting it on a list of the "Top Five Date Rape Anthems":Jamie Foxx's "Blame It (On the Alcohol)," in which Foxx attempts to f--k a woman who "says she usually don't" but that he knows is "frontin" because "she don't wanna seem like she's easy." (But she is). Foxx knows she's ready to admit she wants it when "she spilled some drink on me / And now I'm knowin' she tipsy." My neighbor has this song as her ringtone.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB5e0zHRzHc
Love in This Club - Usher
Another hit you wouldn't think would be a problematic song received the side-eye from some for lyrics like, "You know all you gotta do is tell me what you’re sipping on / And I promise that I’m gonna keep it coming all night long" that have similar references to getting a woman drunk to "make love in this club": Might as well give me a kiss If we keep touching like this I know you're scared, baby, they don't know what we doing Let's both get undressed right here Keep it up, girl, and I swear I'ma give it to you non-stop And I don't care who's watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7GX9PRvf_M"U.O.E.N.O" - Rocko feat. Rick Ross
Anytime you brag or joke about putting a roofie in someone's drink to take advantage of them, you know you're about to catch hell, and rightfully so. Rick Ross landed in hot water and even lost endorsement deals for this careless lyric: Put Molly all in her champagne, she ain’t even know it I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain't even know it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MFJ7ie_yGUBaby, It's Cold Outside
It may be a holiday classic that's been sung by a whole host of great singers, but "Baby, It's Cold Outside" has been criticized. Why? The entire song is about a woman saying she can't really stay at a man's place while he persistently insists that she does. Boy, did he lay it on thick. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOGaugKpzsEvery Breath You Take - The Police
I mean, the lyrics speak to the creepiness pretty clearly: Oh can't you see You belong to me How my poor heart aches with every step you take Every move you make Every vow you break Every smile you fake Every claim you stake I'll be watching you Images via BigstockThe post “I Know You Want It”: 10 Popular Songs You Grooved To That People Say Are Problematic appeared first on MadameNoire.