St Vincent Slams John Mayer’s Hit Daughters Over Misogyny: ‘Pretends Like It’s Sweet’

As a lifestyle expert with a deep appreciation for music and its impact on society, I find St. Vincent’s perspective on John Mayer’s song Daughters both insightful and thought-provoking. Her critique of the song’s underlying sexism, though not a new observation, is particularly relevant in today’s world where we strive for equality and progressive values.


Lately, Kerrang! magazine had a chat with the Grammy-winning musician St. Vincent (also known by her real name Annie Clark). During their conversation, she referred to John Mayer’s 2003 hit single “Daughters” as the “most regrettable tune ever penned.”

From her perspective, the tune appears to be disguised as a love song, but she perceives it as being sexist. She finds it outdated and masked in a deceitful, misogynistic manner that gives off a sugary impression. If the track were more honest, it would openly acknowledge its own misogyny.

What bothered her the most were the lyrics of the song, offering guidance for fathers on treating their daughters respectfully, aiming to foster healthy connections between women and men as they grow up.

The lyrics of the song include:

As a woman who has been both a daughter and a mother, I strongly believe that the way fathers and mothers treat their daughters can have a profound impact on their lives. Growing up, my father was always supportive and loving towards me, instilling in me a sense of self-worth and confidence that I carry with me to this day. Similarly, my own experiences as a mother have shown me the importance of treating my daughter with kindness and respect, setting an example for her to follow as she grows into adulthood.

Despite the controversy surrounding it, Taylor Swift’s song was widely praised when it first came out. In 2005, the track even won a Grammy for Song of the Year and dominated various music charts.

The singer from Roslyn criticized an outlet about Mayer’s song, stating, “It’s incredibly sexist, disguised as a love song. It’s extremely backward and sexist. I can’t stand it. Its deep-rooted misogyny is troubling. If it openly admitted this, that would be one thing, but it presents itself as sweet instead.”

Instead, St. Vincent spoke fondly of certain classic tunes during her interview rather than John Mayer’s hit about women. She nostalgically recalled Steely Dan’s Fire in the Hole and praised Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds’ Into My Arms as a beautiful romantic tune.

Immediately following the release of her April-launched album, “All Born Screaming,” as reported by Billboard, she elaborated that the album encapsulates themes of life, demise, and affection.

She stated, “I’ve always understood the concept of identity as a form of self-expression since my childhood. I identify as queer, and I embody multiple identities, but this specific work isn’t focused on personas or dismantling them.”

Saint Vincent emphasized that her music is a profound reflection of her inner self, and each album she’s released serves as a snapshot of her emotional state during the respective periods in her life.

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2024-08-06 13:22