It's a Man's World

"This is a man's world"

James Brown first sang these lyrics in "It's A Man's Man's Man's World." In this famous song, Brown references that man made cars, trains, boats, electricity, toys, money, and even everything. However, he does say, "This is a man's world/But it wouldn't be nothing, nothing/ Without a woman or a girl." But if man has made everything, what need is there for women? Sex. According to men, women are in this world for man's sexual pleasure.

Not quite convinced? Well, take Ice Cube's song "It's a Man's World" for example. With lyrics like "Women they're good for nothing no maybe one thing/ To serve needs to my ding-a-ling" and "Ice Cube won't wait so give it up cow/ After we do it you can go home now." This song even makes reference to James Brown's song with the lyrics "This is a man's world thank you very much/ But it wouldn't be a damn thing without a woman's touch."Both these songs suggest women are only living in this world for the pleasure of man.

However, song lyrics aren't the only indication that women live in a man's world. From everyday objects to famous landmarks, almost everything is a reference to a man's world. As mentioned in my previous post, the rifle is a phallic symbol representing power “or a representation of the power associated with the possession of a penis” (Lecture 13, Slide 11). Like in Full Metal Jacket, when their rifles don't perform, the men feel emasculated, much like men do when their penis doesn't perform. Other phallic symbols within our world are the Eiffel Tower and lipstick (Lecture 13, Slides 13 & 14). 

Even advertisements featuring phallic symbols because sex sells. In the article
"From Phallic Outdoor Seating to Phallic Firearms," Misel Saban says, "Phallic objectification is everywhere; from editorials, fashion, advertising to products, the phallic symbol is literally staring the public in the face" (Saban). 

Here are a few print ad examples:

    

    

It's a man's world, women are just living in it for their pleasure.

Sources:

Ice Cube. It's a Man's World Lyrics. Retrieved from http://www.metrolyrics.com/its-a-mans-world-lyrics-ice-cube.html

Ice Cube. It's A Man's World Video. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyYFchZzFsY

James Brown. It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World Lyrics. Retrieved from http://www.metrolyrics.com/its-a-mans-mans-world-lyrics-james-brown.html

James Brown. It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World Video. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juTeHsKPWhY

Bredin, R. (2016). Lecture 13.