Are Certain Classic Songs Suddenly Now Sexist?

by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.

Today it seems that interpreting and labeling old classic songs as being allegedly sexist or racist is in vogue. This past holiday season, we all heard the dispute over the popular Dean Martin version of the song, "Baby It's Cold Outside." If that wasn't enough, one of the latest claims of a song being allegedly sexist appears to take criticism to a new level.

Sexism in general is a very serious matter that can be the foundation of many illegalities and therefore should not be taken lightly. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word sexist as, "A prejudice or discrimination based on sex, especially discrimination against women." With that definition in mind, some people have seen fit to declare Billy Joel's classic song, "Just The Way You Are" as being allegedly sexist.

Those who believe Billy Joel's aforementioned song to be sexist, claim in effect that it represents a man telling a woman to not change at all and instead remain docile and obedient to her man. Further , that the song portrays women as needing to cook and clean and remain subservient to their men. Even a mere perusal of the words to this song, would clearly demonstrate that nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact the very first line in the song states, "Don't go changing to try and please me" (emphasis added). It does not say that the man is telling the woman not to change at all or that he doesn't want her to make any change in herself that she deems fit. Rather, the meaning ostensibly is that the woman doesn't have to change herself or be something she is not, in an effort to please the man because he loves her and accepts her just the way she is. The song ends by stating, "I said I love you and that's forever, and this I promise from the heart, I could not love you any better, I love you just the way you are." The song clearly depicts the type of love most people hope to receive from their partner and to say otherwise seems to be without merit.

When baseless assertions and claims are consistently made involving what would otherwise be a serious matter, it may take credibility away from those claims that are genuine. Societal mores caution against such behavior, as it is counterproductive to the very values that must be safeguarded. Therefore, as to the allegation that the Billy Joel song "Just The Way You Are" is allegedly sexist, I am confident that Billy is, "An Innocent Man."

Long Island Lawyer

Paul A. Lauto, Esq.

www.liattorney.com