Homework 2

Wk 2 The song I picked was:  Chaka Khan 1978 Song: "I'm Every Woman"

Link for Chaka Khan’s song: www.youtube.com /watch?v=s8PsA1ApngU

In analyzing the song “I’m Every Woman” sung by Chaka Khan, this song addresses the sexual power that women have over men.  This song was released in 1978 at the height of the ‘disco era.’ It was termed as contemporary pop music.  This was her first release on her own.  She was known at the time as the “Queen of Funk.”.

In looking at a literary technique that is prevalent in this song, I looked at the theme of the song. A theme is defined as: “A work’s controlling idea, the main issue the work addresses. Most literary analyses deal with theme, even if the analysis focuses on the methods by which that theme is conveyed.” (Glossary of Terms for Literature & Creative Writing. (PDF).

Women are there, she knows what a man needs.  You don’t have to tell me, I already know what you want.  Women’s sexual prowess is there to tempt a man. As part of the ‘Disco era’, this is a  story of women that use their sexual prowess to satisfy men’s sexual needs.  Unfortunately, this type of song perpetuates the stereotype that women are there to fulfill men’s needs. They are objects to be used and not to be taken seriously.  This song effectively shows the attitude of men toward women in the 1970's. Women know that they do not have to subscribe to this idea, but some women still feel that they should use this power to control men.

 The second literary technique I found fit this song was the idea of a motif- which is defined as “a recurring word, phrase, image, figure of speech, or symbol that has particular significance.” (Glossary of Terms for Literature & Creative Writing. (PDF). The motif is that the singer represents the female sex, she knows that she has this power, saying “it’s all in me.” Women are supposedly born with this sexual power. This is a recurring phrase throughout the song. Women can be bewitching with this power and use it to their advantage over men. The recurring motif is used to show the power of women and because it is part of the disco era, it makes a good dance tune. In the song, the motif includes recurring phrasing that says that women always know what men want or need in life. 

Lyrics

I'm every woman, It's all in me Anything you want done, baby, I'll do it naturally

I'm every woman, It's all in me I can read your thoughts right now, Every one from A to Z  Whoa, whoa, whoa Whoa, whoa, whoa

I can cast a spell, Of secrets you can't tell, Mix a special brew,

Like rain on to the seeds I can make a rhyme Of confusion in your mind And when it comes down To some good old- fashioned love That's what I've got plenty of, 'cause I ain't braggin' 'cause I'm the one

I'm every woman, it's all in me Anything you want done, baby I'll do it naturally I'm every woman, it's all in me I can read your thoughts right now Every one from a to z I can cast a spell

With secrets you can't tell Mix a special brew Put fire inside of you But anytime you feel Danger or fear Instantly I will appear, 'cause

I can sense your needs

Like rain on to the seeds I can make a rhyme Of confusion in your mind And when it comes down To some good old- fashioned love That's what I've got plenty of, 'cause I ain't braggin' 'cause I'm the one

You just ask me ooh and it shall be done And don't bother to compare 'cause I've got it I've got it, I've got it, yeah I'm every woman (repeat and fade