B- // Not A Bad Thing // Justin Timberlake

JT, what a crooner, right? It's hard to make a feminist love song. Let's take a stab at this one:

• The first good news is that there's no objectifying. There's no "I want you because you're pretty." Nice!
• And other than Justin references himself as "that guy", there seems to be a possibly conscious choice to keep gender out of the song. people, someone, and baby are gender-neutral. So although this song is likely written as women in relation to man, I will give it some cred for not making it obviously so.
• I know people make promises all the time
  Then they turn right around and break them
  When someone cuts your heart open with a knife and you're bleeding
  But I could be that guy to heal it over time
  And I won't stop until you believe it
  'Cause baby you're worth it
• There's some self-consciously silly stuff in here. He fantasizes about saving her from her troubles, but at the same time acknowledges that he can't.
• If I had a pair of wings
  I'd scoop you up we'd fly away and disappear
  Then you could put your worries upon my shoulders, my dear
  And I know I can't save you
  From the troubles of the world
  I know this sounds like such a silly thing
  But if I could I'd fly you away
  On a big old pair of wings

         He seems to respect her. But is that enough to be empowering? I think not. Still, I also don't think it's disempowering. Pretty neutral on this one.

• No I won't fill your mind with broken promises
  And wasted time
  And if you fall
  You'll always land right in these arms
  These arms of mine

• No name calling