"Blurred Lines" vs. M. Butterfly

Explanation of How the Song Fits Our Scene:

Robin Thicke’s song, “Blurred Lines” connects like a perfect puzzle piece when comparing it to the play M. Butterfly. The audience can infer that Rene Gallimard is experiencing blurred lines when demanding that Song have sex with him. Since Rene is brought up with a Westward mentality, he is unable to comprehend the ill logic behind the belief that, “Her mouth says no, but her eyes say yes.” That concept is blurry matter for him. So, all Gallimard thinks is that Song is a “Good girl!” and that, “I [Rene] know you [Song] want it.” Not only that, but the lyrics in the song state that males, “try to domesticate you [females].” This form of male power over females can clearly be seen in the play M. Butterfly. For instance, this form of male superiority is witnessed when Song tells the judge that, “the West believes the East, deep down, wants to be dominated because a woman can't think for herself.” This song assumes that men know exactly what women want, despite them not asking for her consent.

“Blurred Lines” Summary:

In the song, Robin Thicke is at a party and he is receiving mixed signals from a very attractive female. He notices that she has a boyfriend, but that doesn't stop him from trying to sleep with her. He is unwilling to accept that she’s not interested in him, so he starts to tell her that, “I know you want it.” He tries to convince her that she is meant to be a wild animal. Robin keeps whispering in her ear that he knows that she wants “it” because he is assuming that her silence means she’s too shy to say she does want him. He claims that she’s a “good girl” because he thinks that she’s denying her wanting to have dirty sex with him.

Summary of the Artist:

Robin Thicke is an American singer/songwriter who released a controversial song named, “Blurred Lines.” He was born into fame, since his parents are Gloria Loring and Alan Thicke. He began to create music in his early teen and quickly hit it off. In 2013, Thicke released his “Blurred Lines” which sparked his career. Yet, Robin Thicke confessed that he was not the main creator of the song. Turn out, Pharrell Williams, another singer/songwriter, composed the majority of that song. The reason it stirred up so much controversy is because, "It promotes a very worrying attitude towards sex and consent," as explained by Kirsty Haigh.

“Blurred Lines” Lyrics vs. M. Butterfly:

Robin Thicke Lyrics “Blurred Lines”	David Hwang Text – M. Butterfly
Now he was close Tried to domesticate you But you're an animal Baby, it's in your nature	Song: “the West believes the East, deep down, wants to be dominated because a woman can't think for herself.”
Good girl! I know you want it	Song: “Her mouth says no, but her eyes say yes.”
Just let me liberate you You don't need no papers That man is not your maker And that's why I'm gon' take you	Song: “I’m a modest girl.”  Gallimard: “I know. And very beautiful. (he touches her hair)” Song: “Please-go now. The next time you see me, I shall again be myself.” Gallimard: “I like the way you are right now.” Song: “You are a cad.”  Gallimard: “What do you expect? I’m a foreign devil.”

Works Cited

“Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke Songfacts.” Song Meanings at Songfests, www.songfacts.com/detail.php? (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. id=29390.

Lynskey, Dorian. “Blurred Lines: the Most Controversial Song of the Decade.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 13 Nov. 2013, www.theguardian.com/music/2013/nov/13/blurred-lines-most-controversial-song-decade (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

“Robin Thicke.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 30 May 2017, www.biography.com/people/robin-thicke-21209847.