BDSM and Female Empowerment

At the beginning of the project, I researched the themes of BDSM in music and music videos, as women are often put under the patriarchal expectation of being chaste, obedient and submissive.

I researched the song "The Masochism Tango" by Tom Lehrer which depicts the desire to be dominated. Although there is no gender pronoun for the dominant partner Lehrer is a man which goes against the stereotypical gender roles of men having to be dominant. This is even more important given the time that this song was released (1959), where anything risque or sexual was considered vulgar and frowned upon.

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A modern exploration of this is the "Mistress Violet" music video which also follows the theme of BDSM in an 80s style production. With the BDSM style clothing similar to that of Bettie Page, and the power fashion from couture house Schiaparelli (which I love. The choice of the muscle dress to represent physical power and the teeth dress for biting is absolutely brilliant) and powerful lyrics, I found this song to be a strong expression of female empowerment.

"Yes, you're correct in assuming that I
Prefer provocative extremes
When I attend to my businessmen
I like to show them all the seams
Most men know if they misbehave
They're gonna pay while I collect
And that's why they all come to me
So I can teach them some respect"

- lyric segment from "Mistress Violet"

I found this video is a nod to the 80s and 90s sex work that the queer community in New York experienced. The documentary "Paris is Burning" and the show "POSE" explored similar themes as well, which heavily inspired me in regards to sex positivity and female power.

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https://www.bustle.com/p/the-hellfire-club-on-pose-is-based-on-a-real-place-but-elektras-new-job-there-could-be-her-downfall-18013759

Power

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