C // The Man // Aloe Blacc

The man is another positive song. Some have suggested it may be in reference to relationships, but he has stated in interviews that it is about the moment of going into competition and how "you gotta get up and be strong". He was considering making it a hip hop song, which is why it has such swag.

So, not about women. Too bad the main refrain is "I'm the man" and not something more gender-neutral. Could've been one for all of us. 

B // All of Me // John Legend

I wish I liked this song more. Maybe I'll enjoy a good remix. Regardless of this, Legend is a champ, and it's a huge relief.

let's look at some of the ways he describes his woman:

• smart mouth
• beautiful mind
• I can't pin you down
• Love your curves and all your edges
  All your perfect imperfections
• Even when you're crying you're beautiful
• You're my downfall, you're my muse
  My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues
  
• You're crazy and I'm out of my mind (usually I am hard against calling women crazy, but it seems pretty mutual)

And how he describes their relationship:

• Cards on the table, we're both showing hearts
  Risking it all, though it's hard
• The world is beating you down, I'm around through every mood
  
• You're my end and my beginning
  Even when I lose I'm winning
  Cause I give you all of me
  And you give me all of you
  

That is some good love song right there. It doesn't objectify her, he cant "pin her down", he's asking for them to be their honest full self with each other. 

But of course one downfall about love songs is that they are usually woman in relation to a man. Check.

And the difficult question is: does this empower women? Being appreciated for who we are is great, but does it give us power, autonomy, influence, freedom? I'm not sure it does.

It's a question I will probably wrestle with again later, but for now these doubts about love songs is what will keep this nice one at a B.

F // Talk Dirty // Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz

I love the Balkan Beat Box sample, but let' get to the offensive shit, shall we?

• Name calling...well, does being saved in someone's phone as "Big Booty" count as name calling or just extreme objectification?
• Woman in relation to man: oh, yeah. She's his sex object. And he knows what she needs. His dick. Obviously, ladies.
• Cause I know what the girl them need
• First class seat on my lap girl, riding comfortable
• Objectification. Yes, booty and pussy. That's what she boils down to. How she can be used. Oh, and a good dick suck.
• But your booty don't need explaining / All I really need to understand is / When you talk dirty to me
• Sold out arenas, you can suck my penis
• Her pussy so good I bought her a pet
• Not empowering women. Pretty easy call. 

C+// Happy // Pharrell Williams

I love this song. What a joy. It's not about women. But its so positive!