Justin Timberlake has started a movement. A sexy movement.
Well, according to some, ‘sexy’ never went away, but the pop star’s hit “SexyBack,” in which he claims to be “bringing sexy back,” has coined a trendy catchphrase and spurred the latest cultural obsession.
In a recent Rolling Stone article, Timberlake’s producer, Timbaland, claims the “FutureSex/LoveSounds” album will be the “Thriller” of 2006. Now the movement has come to campus.
Early this fall, Gwyn Gilkeson, recruitment chair for the co-ed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega (APO), was searching for ways to raise excitement for the organization’s fall recruitment.
“I thought that APO needed a new image, something that would represent how fun it can be and ‘Bringin’ Sexy Back to Service’ just sounds kind of ridiculous and fun,” Gilkeson said. “I think when you use Gandhi quotes to represent your organization, it becomes more solemn.”
Timberlake’s lyrics have also influenced event themes. Last month, University sophomore Kelly Hall needed a birthday party theme.
She heard the song on the radio and “at the same time said, ‘That’s it! We’ll bring sexy back!’” said Hall.
Red carpet lined the entrance to the party. Twinkling lights and glittery decor set a classy ambiance. The party goers wore black and white, “classic, sophisticated dress,” including popped-collars, sweaters, and suits. To Hall and her roommate Renee Lane, the “Bringin’ SexyBack” theme was centered around style.
“With style comes attitude,” said Lane. “Sexy usually means taking your clothes off, but it can also mean being comfortable in your own skin while wearing normal, nice clothing. Bringin’ sexy back can be classy.”
University faculty have been affected by sexy’s return. Al Stavitsky, associate dean of the School of Journalism and Communication, chose to begin his first Mass Media and Society lecture discussing Timberlake’s “SexyBack” after hearing his middle school-aged daughter and her friends singing along to the song in the car.
“I wanted to illustrate media effects and that these influences are out there and make parents uneasy,” Stavitsky said.
Stavitsky asked why our culture needs a Timberlake to bring sexual content back when already so much sexual content exists. Stavitsky said the “SexyBack” trend is a marketing strategy – the packaging of a pop star.
“JT is reestablishing himself as a strong male artist. He’s trying to tell us, ‘I’m no Mickey Mouse Club boy. I’m a bad dude,’” Stavitsky said. “At one level, ‘SexyBack’ is a boastful male song attempting to woo a perspective lover with ‘Oh! Look at me!
I’m bringing sexy back!’ It’s male bravado.”
University freshman Jeff Tan didn’t care for “SexyBack” the first time he heard it.
“Personally, I think he (Timberlake) is produced and if you read the lyrics, he repeats himself and has a synthesized sound. But you hear it over and over and it grows on you.”
Along with fellow Hamilton Think Tank members and advisers, Tan has considered planning a Community Conversations panel surrounding the hype of racy song lyrics such as “SexyBack.”
“It’s come up in intellectual discussion because it’s a song with questionable subject matter and it’s at the peak of its popularity,” Tan said.
In the residence halls, Tan has noticed a trend in students joking about bringin’ sexy back.
“I was in line at Common Grounds yesterday and overheard someone referring to bringing sexy back with a Cheesy Griller,” Tan said. “People allude to that song a lot in conversation now. It’s a song. It’s a fad. It will wear off. Just like Anchorman quotes.”
Yes, sexy is back
Daily Emerald
October 31, 2006
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