"Nasty Boys" RM (Arts and Cultural Blog 1)

link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSLz0YYsJHA

"Nasty Boys" By: Janet Jackson, Released: April 15, 1986

Janet Jackson’s hit song “Nasty Boys” was released April 15, 1986. Jackson describes the crude behaviors of men towards women throughout the song and refers to these men as “Nasty Boys”. She begins the song by writing how you “Better be a gentleman, or you turn me off”. In the second verse she describes how the nature of disrespectful men is unlikely to change by writing “Nasty boys, don't ever change”. Jackson describes how the only kind of “nasty” that is acceptable is a “nasty groove” which in this context means to be a good dancer. The song proceeds to the chorus which consists of the repeated line “Nasty boys don’t mean a thing”. In the fourth verse Jackson goes into detail about how men specifically have disrespected her by calling her “baby” and trying to be intimate with her in public. She writes that she should be addressed “Miss Jackson if you're nasty”. The chorus is then repeated and after another verse in which Jackson asks rhetorical questions about “nasty boys” she brings the song to a close. Jackson artfully displays the crude way in which men treat women in the real world and how this should change through a simple and comedic song.

Janet Jackson uses attentive diction in her song “Nasty Boys” in order to hint at our societal culture of objectifying and mistreating women. She does this very slyly and tastefully by utilizing specific phrases that when analyzed further, obviously depict the crude and “nasty” nature of many men. In her song, Jackson writes that “I’m not a prude/I just want some respect/So close the door if you want me to respond”. In this verse she is actually describing how she does not mind getting physical with a man but would prefer that any intimate acts take place in the privacy of her own home. Obviously getting unwanted sexual attention in public is very disrespectful but somehow it is ingrained in our culture that it just isn’t that big of a deal when it happens and Jackson sheds light on this. Another prime example of Jackson’s clever diction is when she explains that “[Her] last name is control/No [her] first name ain’t baby/It’s Janet/Miss Jackson if you’re nasty”. In this verse she is taking back her body and is standing up for herself when she experiences sexual harassment. She explains now that she is the one that is in control and will only accept the upmost respect from a man and nothing less. This song was revolutionary during its time and still applies to today’s society as women are continuing to fight for equality and empowerment.