Do male singers have all the best songs?

Subject: RE: Do male singers have all the best songs?
From: frogprince
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 07:58 PM

"I am woman, hear me roar..."

naaah

Subject: RE: Do male singers have all the best songs?
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 08:48 PM

One of the earlier posts reminded me of this simple, comedic, solo (or group) gender bender, done with a paper napkin folded and pinched in the form of a bow:


Bow held as moustache, deep voice:

   You must pay the rent, you must pay the rent, you must pay the rent today!

Bow held to side of head, falsetto:

   I can't pay the rent, I can't pay the rent, I can't pay the rent today!

Bow held as moustache, deep voice, more threatening:

   You must pay the rent, you must pay the rent, you must pay the rent today!

Bow held to side of head, falsetto, more tremulous, on the edge of tears:

   I can't pay the rent, I can't pay the rent, I can't pay the rent today!

Bow held as moustache, deep voice, ferociously trimphuant:

   You must pay the rent, you must pay the rent, you must pay the rent today!

Bow held at throat, as bow tie, heroic tenor:

   I'll pay the rent!

Bow held to side of head, falsetto, squealing in love and gratitude:

   My hero!

Bow held as moustache, in angry aside:

   Curses! Foiled again!


Charles

Subject: RE: Do male singers have all the best songs?
From: Artful Codger
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 11:28 PM

I can usually establish the gender of the song "narrator" fairly easily by adjusting singing style and quality of voice--gender is cued by more than lyrics. This avoids gender "surprises" later on.

In this feminized age there is more public acceptance of women singing men's songs than of men singing women's songs (not that it stops me), so the original complaint is not only unfounded but a little spoiled.

If a song's lyrics make you uncomfortable from a gender perspective, consider writing a "reply to" or "companion" song modeled on the original. Changing the gender in a song is seldom justified unless the song is practically gender-neutral to start with.