For my final portfolio post I will be analyzing the lyrics of the song “I Would” from One Direction’s debut album. This song shows both stereotypical masculine and feminine traits. The boy is expressing his love for a girl and trying to win her over. He shares that he loves her and expresses some sensitivity with this, which is stereotypically a feminine trait. However, the way he goes about this shows that he wants to compete, show dominance, and be forceful. Therefore, he mostly expresses masculine characteristics through his words throughout the song.
Lyrics that show competition, dominance, aggression, and force:
- Back in my head we were kissing
- Feels like I’m constantly playing
A game that I’m destined to lose
‘Cause I can’t compete with your boyfriend
He’s got 27 tattoos - Baby you should know that I would
- Would he please you?
Would he kiss you?
Would he treat you like I would? (I would)
Would he touch you?
Would he need you?
Would he love you like I would? - Would he say he’s in L-O-V-E?
Well if it was me then I would
Overall, we can see throughout the song how the boy keeps comparing himself to the girl’s boyfriend and trying to convince her that he is a better guy for her. He tries to express how willing he is to be the best through being assertive and showing his masculine traits.
Shared by: Abigail Gonnering
Image Credit: Capital FM