StrawberryBlond 14,102 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 All these threads about sexuality and feminism in pop have got me thinking a lot about something: there's a lot of instances this year of sex not selling in music. It used to always be seen as the best and easiest way to get your music sold and get attention in general, especially for women. But lately...a lot of these songs that are about sex or use sexuality to sell aren't selling and more than that, they aren't even gaining attention. For example: Miley Cyrus performed at the VMAs where she dressed in an array of provocative outfits. She did a performance to a song with swearing and delved into innuendo at the end when the frontman of The Flaming Lips released a confetti gun between her legs. But the performance wasn't reported as widely as her previous VMA performance with Robin Thicke. The public didn't talk about it and the story died very quickly, which was so unlike last time. Her album, while free (so is therefore near impossible to work out how many people are consuming it), is suffering from a real lack of attention with hardly anyone besides her ultimate fans talking about it. The videos have had barely any views. Her naked photoshoot with Terry Richardson was barely reported on. A lot of people don't even realise Miley has released new music whereas with Bangerz, she was the It Girl. Ariana Grande released her new lead single, Focus, and the reception was extremely mixed with many flatout disliking it. Considering Ariana is such a gorgeous girl and the video was very sexualised, this would normally have been a guaranteed hit for these reasons alone. But the song only peaked at #7 on Billboard despite America being her biggest market and considering her very successful last era. Her last lead single debuted at #3 with 438k, Focus debuted and peaked at #7 with 113k. It did even poorer overseas. Suddenly, Ariana was talking about delaying the album and there's no release date or further news in sight. Selena Gomez is still struggling to get big hits despite being really pretty and having sexualised music videos. She finally got a top 5 single this year in the US but nothing else seems to be reaching near that level and her album didn't sell overly well. It got to #1 in the US but only with 85k of pure album sales. Inernationally, she's doing poorly as well. Demi Lovato went for a very sexual tone this era and a very hot look. Cool For The Summer was about a lesbian experience but unlike Katy Perry's I Kissed A Girl from 7 years ago, this one didn't have the same success or impact, It even missed the Billboard top ten and didn't perform well internationally. It's sassy follow-up, Confident, did even worse. The album, with its racy cover, missed out on #1 in the US and sold even worse internationally. So, I questioned: what is going on? Just my opinion, but I thought some of this work was very good or at least decent. And if I, a notably harsh critic, is finding it decent, well, the public should be loving it, right? It's so odd to see such attractive young women not go to the top like they used to. Now we have Taylor Swift ruling the female scene, who, although no longer a wallflower, still creates very kid-friendly music that doesn't rely on innuendos and she keeps her clothes on and remains modest. And Adele has made a comeback and well...her image doesn't need explaining. So, the top 2 women in music right now are the ones who are being modest and not singing about sex, a contrast to how things used to be for a long time. Now, this isn't to slut shame anyone. This isn't about if selling sex is right or wrong. It's not about praising artists who don't using it and downtalking those who do. It's all about pondering if it sells the way it used to. Do you think sex is no longer selling in music? (for the moment, anyway) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morphine Prince 102,157 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 Adele destroyed sex. Talent sells. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haroon 49,685 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 I think it's a roller coaster thing, the level of sex was pretty high for a while so people may be a bit bored of it now but sooner or later it's gonna come right back and the cycle will repeat itself 1 minute ago, Morphine Prince said: Adele destroyed sex. Talent sells. They aren't mutually exclusive Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KURUSHITOVSKA 20,442 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 But Anaconda... ¿Qué currículum tiene ésta tarántula? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mobster 14,604 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 I completely agree, I even wanted to make a thread about this... I guess it's become a lot less taboo and there are so many artists doing that right now, that's it's lost its mystery and has stopped being intriguing. I would actually argue that the thing that is selling the most (or at least the shortcut to exposure) is comedy. Take most of the singles off of Prism as an example: Roar had a funny video; over a billion views. Dark Horse focused on humor, too; over a billion views. Yet Unconditionally failed completely... Taylor Swift did the same with Shake it Off and Blank Space, a goofy video and one that pokes fun at the media discussing her relationships.... Or just take a look at the most viewed video on youtube, Gangnam style... Anyway, I wouldn't necessarily say it sells, but it definetly gives you the views, because humour is viral material... (btw, not dragging these artists, I love humor) But I'm only a man and I do what I can. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dann 354 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 Thank god we have Adele Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benji 20,113 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 Well, first things first... sex will always sell as we're hardwired to want it. Would Justin Bieber be as successful with his music right now if he turned into a fat, zitty, slob? Noooooooooooooooooo Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Evans 8,917 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 Aren't the girls you mentioned all Disney girls though all of them are doing fine imo Ariana's song just wasn't that good and the Miley phase is pretty much done Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen 30,266 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 No, I think sex still sells it's just the music/vids this year have been complete $hit Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mobster 14,604 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 2 minutes ago, KURUSHITOVSKA said: But Anaconda... It went viral, doesn't mean it did exceptionally well in the sales department But I'm only a man and I do what I can. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morphine Prince 102,157 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 1 minute ago, Haroon said: They aren't mutually exclusive http://i55.tinypic.com/ng6geu.jpg Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KURUSHITOVSKA 20,442 Posted December 11, 2015 Share Posted December 11, 2015 1 minute ago, VampireMobster said: It went viral, doesn't mean it did exceptionally well in the sales department Yeah but success doesn't mean earned money.... ¿Qué currículum tiene ésta tarántula? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benji 20,113 Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Also, just because they're not raking in #1s doesn't mean their image isn't helping them get to where they are right now. Also, has any straight man thought Miley Cyrus' antics have been sexy since her weird "am I legal yet" look? Since then she's just been naked... which doesn't exactly mean sexy. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mobster 14,604 Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Just now, KURUSHITOVSKA said: Yeah but success doesn't mean earned money.... But the title of the thread is "Is sex no longer selling in music?" But I'm only a man and I do what I can. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dann 354 Posted December 12, 2015 Share Posted December 12, 2015 Im 100% done with pop music i mean rihanna went **** Gaga is gone ARTPOP was what it was, TS was a ****ing mess with her bad blood. I think ppl want real good artists and i feel dem i mean i start hate pop songs it's just SH*T. sorry not sorry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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