1967, Neil Diamond’s look upon women, “Girl, you’ll be a woman soon, please come take my hand girl, soon you’ll need a man.” (Sing that your daughter before bed.)

One year later, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, “Young girl get out of my mind. My love for you is way out of line better run, girl… With all the charms of a woman, you’ve kept the secret of your youth, you let me to believe you’re old enough to give me love and now it hurts to know the truth… You’re just a baby in disguise and though you know it’s wrong to be alone with me that come on look is in your eyes.”

Gary is the one who gets hurt, never mind the mind of a “young girl.”

Back to 1967 and Gary and the Boys, “ Woman, oh, woman have you got cheating on your mind… Something’s wrong between us that your laughter cannot hide and you’re afraid to let your eyes meet mine…I’ve seen the way men look at you when they think I don’t see, and it hurts to have them think that you’re that kind… But it’s knowing that you’re looking back that’s really killing me..” (Wonderful couple communication.)

All the above were big hit songs reflecting a culture or projecting to a culture?

Speaking of marriage, this from 1962.  “Hey! Little girl, comb your hair, fix your make up, soon he will open the door. Don’t think because there’s a ring on your finger you needn’t try anymore.  Day after day there are girls at the office and men will always be men, don’t send him off with your hair still in curlers, you may not see him again. He’s almost here. Hey! Little girl, better wear something pretty, something you’d wear to the city and dim all the lights. pour the wine, start the music, time to get ready. Time to get ready for love.” (Big hit song about a happy, honest relationship.)

Not to be out done here’s a big hit song from Glen Campbell. “She looks in the mirror and stares at the wrinkles that weren’t there yesterday. She picks up her apron and in little girl-fashion as something comes to her mind, slowly remembering dancing her girlhood and all the boys she had waiting in line. 

Oh, such are the dreams of the everyday housewife you see everywhere any time of the day, an every day housewife who gave up the good life for me.” (Personal Development score? -F.)

Dusty Springfield sang this in 1964 as though she’s a dog instead of a woman. “ wishin’ and hopin’ and thinkin’ and prayin’.  Plannin’ and dreaming each night of his charms that won’t get you into his arms, so if you’re looking to find love, you can share, all you gotta do is hold him and kiss him and love him and show him that you care.

Clean cut singers Steve Lawrence and Donny Osmond sang this for us. “Go away little girl, go away little girl, I’m not supposed to be alone with you. I know that your lips are sweet, but our lips must never meet, I’m dating somebody else I must be true.” (how many sins can you commit in a 2:30 song?)

A Quick List of still more lovely women perceptions:

Led Zeppelin — “Whole Lotta Love” (1969/1970)

“You need coolin’, baby” The woman is largely viewed through the lens of male sexual desire.

Led Zeppelin — “Black Dog” (1971)

“The way you move”

Her physical movement becomes the center of attention. Personality is nice. But have you seen her walk?

Rod Stewart — “Hot Legs” (1977)

The title tells us almost everything. The woman has become a body part. No résumé required.

The Rolling Stones — “Some Girls” (1978) Women are divided into stereotypical categories based on nationality, sexuality and behavior.

The Beatles — “Run for Your Life” (1965) “I’d rather see you dead, little girl”

Jealousy isn’t merely jealousy here. The woman is treated as something the man possesses. If I can’t have you, nobody will.

The Rolling Stones — “Under My Thumb” (1966)

“The girl who once had me down” The entire premise is that the woman has finally been brought under the man’s control. She used to be independent. Fortunately, I’ve fixed that.

The Rolling Stones — “Stupid Girl” (1966)

The woman’s behavior becomes an occasion for outright contempt. And apparently, intelligence wasn’t required for the job.

We hum them, sing along with them on the radio (or retro radio) complete with great orchestrations, harmonies, back up singers and fancy guitar solos to break up those misogynistic verses. 

Drawn your own insights and conclusions…