"Call Me Maybe"

[xiphias]

So, I admit it. I like cheap boxed wine, Schlitz, McDonald's, and overproduced pop songs with catchy hooks. So I finally watched the video for Carly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe".

Now, when I watch this sort of video, I'm watching it with at least two brains. First, I'm just enjoying it as for what it is, and second, I'm also watching to analyze the semiotics, and culturally contextual subtextual messages, both conscious and unconscious.

So, let's start by pointing out that this starts with an example of female gaze, which is something that I haven't seen since MAMA MIA -- the male character is sexualized as an object, while the female character isn't.

Of course, this brings up the notions of the methods of male objectification -- as Jim C Hines has pointed out, male objectification still allows men to hold their bodies in non-contortionist humanly-possible positions, as opposed to female objectification.

I'm also amused by the romance novel cover bits, and by the observation that our culture puts is out of touch with each other, by segregating ourselves into our own auditory worlds.

But I'm posting this because of the ending bit.

Comments

[autographedcat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was going to point that out. One of the things I find charming and endearing about her character in the video is that she *tries* to play the typical female sex kitten -- she's just not good at it.

I want to go on record saying that I really like this song. Not just for the video, which is great, but also just as a piece of pop music craft. It's hooky, singable, upbeat and fun.