Whether through fast-paced dance tunes or slow, heart-wrenching ballads the goal of the songs remains to chronicle the trials and tribulations of male/female relationships. And as art imitates life, the lyrical content of these songs reflects the tone of the time. But if the songs of 1999-2000 are any indication - the state of relations between the sexes is in deep trouble.
TLC's "No Scrubs" makes it clear, that under no circumstance must a man approach unless his game is tight. Destiny's Child "Bills, Bills, Bills" reinforces that point with a twist, have your game tight and be ready to take care of mine too.
But the men haven't been shy either. Montell Jordan's "Tonight" is the male anthem for trifling men everywhere. The basic message - his woman is getting on his nerves so he decides to kick it with another woman, sort of a relationship personal day. Editor's Note: Married men, don't try this at home.
And now, no battle of the sexes retrospective is complete without citing Ideal's "Get Gone." Newcomers to the R&B scene, Ideal's song puts the bad break-up directly on the woman and her inability to make the relationship work.
These songs are a far cry from the playful, teasing tunes of Otis Redding's "Tramp," which easily transitioned to "Go Away Little Boy," Etta Jones' 1970's soulful ballad lamenting her man's lack of responsibility.
It's the 80's where the tides noticeably change from playful to accusatory, signaling the end of the 70's free love and the start of a self-indulgent, hedonistic decade. Oran Juice Jones' "The Rain" though light in talent and with no beat to speak of, put a comedic spin on the female cheater being caught in the act, while Stevie Wonder's "Lately" mournfully speculates about his lover's fidelity.
So songs like "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Bug-A-Boo" shouldn't shock our senses. Clearly, they are the fallout of the 80's - Mother of all things self-involved.
It's just lately the battle has seeminlgy reached a boiling point. No matter how funky the bass line, it's clear that these songs have tapped into some deeply rooted hostility between the sexes. Hostility that may have always been around but went undetected in the down-home begging of Otis Redding or the sexy pleadings of Marvin Gaye.
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