Abstract
As sexuality in music video becomes more intense and more frequent, it requires more attention by scholars. This essay summarizes the findings of two decades’ worth of research on music video, most of which focuses on sexual and violent content in the videos. In addition, we suggest a typology of how sexuality is indicated and used by artists—especially female artists—to define their images and attract audiences.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
References
Anderman, J. (2002, October 29). Aguilera sells “Dirty” image, but will her fans buy it? Boston Globe, p. C1.
Andsager, J. L. (1999). Contradictions in the country: Rituals of sexual subordination and strength in music video. In M. G. Carstarphen and S. C. Zavoina (Eds.), Sexual rhetoric: Media perspectives on sexuality, gender, and identity (pp. 224–237). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
Andsager, J. L., & Roe, K. (1999, winter). Country music video in country’s year of the woman. Journal of Communication, 49, 69–82.
Aufderheide, P. (1986, winter). Music videos: The look of the sound. Journal of Communication, 36, 57–78.
Baxter, R. L., De Riemer, C., Landini, A., Leslie, L., & Singletary, M. W. (1985). A content analysis of music videos. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 29, 333–340.
Bennett, H. S., & Ferrell, J. (1987). Music videos and epistemic socialization. Youth & Society, 18, 344–362.
Boucher, G. (1999, May 6). The Twain have met in Shania: A country contradiction, the singer sounds and sells like pop. Los Angeles Times, p. 6.
Brown, J. D., & Schulze, L. (1990, spring). The effects of race, gender, and fandom on audience interpretations of Madonna’s music videos. Journal of Communication, 40, 88–102.
Calfin, M. S., Carroll, J. L., & Shmidt, Jr., J. (1993). Viewing music-videotapes before taking a test of premarital sexual attitudes. Psychological Reports, 72, 475–481.
Carey, J. T. (1969). Changing courtship patterns in the popular song. American Journal of Sociology, 74, 720–731.
Garrity, B. (2002, October 19). Web premieres log on as key marketing tool. Billboard, p. 168.
Greeson, L. E., & Williams, R. A. (1986, December). Social implications of music videos for youth: An analysis of the content and effects of MTV. Youth & Society, 18, 177–189.
Gundersen, E. (1987, June 3). Radio stations shy away from “Sex.” USA Today, p. 1D.
Hansen, C. H., & Hansen, R. D. (1988). How rock music videos can change what is seen when boy meets girl: Priming stereotypic appraisal of social interactions. Sex Roles, 19, 287–316.
Hansen, C. H., & Hansen, R. D. (1990, April). The influence of sex and violence on the appeal of rock videos. Communication Research, 17, 212–234.
Hardware Uncensored.com. (2003). Accessed May 28, 2003.
Johnson, J. D., Adams, M. S., Ashburn, L., & Reed, W. (1995). Differential gender effects of exposure to rap music on African American adolescents’ acceptance of teen dating violence. Sex Roles, 33, 597–605.
Johnson, K. C. (2002, August 11). Child stardom: It’s a rare Stevie who can shed a “little” and survive. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, p. F1.
Jones, S. (1989, winter). Cohesive but not coherent: Music videos, narrative and culture. Popular Music and Society, 12, 15–30.
Kalof, L. (1999). The effects of gender and music video imagery on sexual attitudes. The Journal of Social Psychology, 139, 378–385.
Leming, J. S. (1987). Rock music and the socialization of moral values in early adolescence. Youth & Society, 18, 363–383.
Longino, M. (2000, October 1). Nashville’s makeover. The Atlanta Journal Constitution, p. L1.
Lynch, C. (2001, April). Ritual transformation through Michael Jackson’s music video. The Journal of Communication Inquiry, 25, 114–131.
McKee, K. B., & Pardun, C. J. (1999). Reading the video: A qualitative study of religious images in music videos. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 43, 110–122.
Pardun, C. J., & McKee, K. B. (1995). Strange bedfellows: Symbols of religion and sexuality on MTV. Youth & Society, 26, 438–449.
Peterson-Lewis, S., & Chennault, S. A. (1986, winter). Black artists’ music videos: Three success strategies. Journal of Communication, 36, 107–114.
Rich, M., Woods, E. R., Goodman, E., Emans, S. J., & DuRant, R. H. (1998). Aggressors or victims: Gender and race in music video violence. Pediatrics, 101, 669–674.
Roberts, R. (1991, fall). Music videos, performance, and resistance: Feminist rappers. Journal of Popular Culture, 25, 141–152.
Segal, D. (2001, August 1). Arrested development: At 20, the music channel refuses to grow up. The Washington Post, p. C1.
Seidman, S. A. (1993). An investigation of sex-role stereotying in music videos. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 36, 209–216.
Signorielli, N., McLeod, D., & Healy, E. (1993). Gender stereotypes in MTV commercials: The beat goes on. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 37, 91–101.
Singletary, M. W. (1983). Some perceptions of the lyrics of three types of recorded music: Rock, country and soul. Popular Music and Society, 9, 51–63.
Smith, S. L., Nathanson, A. I., & Wilson, B. J. (2002, March). Violence in music videos: Examining the prevalence and context of physical aggression. Journal of Communication, 52, 61–83.
Sommers-Flanagan, R., Sommers-Flanagan, J., & Davis, B. (1993). What’s happening on Music Television? A gender role content analysis. Sex Roles, 28, 745–753.
Strouse, J. S., Buerkel-Rothfuss, N., & Long, E. C. J. (1995). Gender and family as moderators of the relationship between music video exposure and adolescent sexual permissiveness. Adolescence, 30, 505–517.
Tapper, J., Thorson, E., & Black, D. (1994). Variations in music videos as a function of their musical genre. Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media, 38, 103–113.
Toney, G. T., & Weaver, III, J. B. (1994). Effects of gender and gender role self-perceptions on affective reactions to rock music videos. Sex Roles, 30, 567–583.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Andsager, J., Roe, K. “What’s your definition of dirty, baby?”: Sex in music video. Sex Cult 7, 79–97 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-003-1004-8
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-003-1004-8
Keywords
- Sexual Attitude
- Female Character
- African American Adolescent
- Music Video
- Sexual Content