5 Things That Are Wrong With Maddie & Tae's "Girl In A Country Song" Song

I've heard the song quite a few times--whenever Joe sits up front and has control of the radio, it's on the country station, and they've been playing this one for awhile now. And I thought it was pretty good; made a good point and all of that. 

But when I heard it this morning, I said to me self, "Self, this is the 21st Century. I'll bet you 50 bucks that this song which protests the depiction of women in country songs portrays women in exactly the manner it is protesting against." 

Shall we have a look to see who wins that Ulysses S. Grant? Oh, let's.  Have a look at it, then come back here and we'll talk.

Mmm-hmmm. Now I will have to confess that seeing half naked women is one of the great pleasures of my life, so I personally don't object to anything in this video. Or at least not anything female. But I also strive to rise above my gonads on occasion, and I have to say that as a Feminist Video Vignette, this thing leaves much to be desired. (And that was not an intended pun.) So without further ado, here are

5 Things That Are Wrong With Maddie & Tae's "Girl in a Country Song" Song

1

One of the singers (I don't know my Maddie from my Tae) is pictured writing a list of things that she wants to object to in her song. So she writes it in a spiral notebook in printing that looks like it's Straight Outta Third Grade. Not a good way to set up an agenda.

2

A few seconds in we get a glimpse of these gals. All they lack are the hamburgers, right? So sure, you could see it as parody. You could also parody a pornographic movie by making pornography. But that wouldn't exactly be a protest against pornography, would it?

 3

Both Maddie and Tae (Tae and Maddie? at this point I don't care enough to even check) make stupid faces at key points in the song which indicate that while they're saying serious things, they aren't really serious about it. I remember that one of the stupid faces accompanied the line, "Shaking my money maker ain't never made me a dime." That's not really a joke, though, is it?

4 

In order to show that it is wrong to exploit women sexually in country videos, Maddie / Tae pushes a Role Reversal button. And the above is what you get. Let's just say that none of these guys are unreasonably attractive. And of course the focus is on the fat guy. Why not use true studs who are sexy beasts? Because that might take us into more serious territory. And besides, we don't want any gay guys watching our country videos, do we?

 5

And of course, the coup la chat, both Maddie & Tae present themselves in very sexualized ways. No bikini tops, but some nice short shorts early on, and nice off the shoulder blouse for one and short skirt for the other for the ending. Nothing wrong with it at all. I think they look great. But if you want to make a statement against the way that women are portrayed in country videos, is this the costume you don?

I don't think so either.