Female Singing Groups the Pussycat Dolls and the Wonder Girls - Essay Example

A comparison of two contemporary female singing groups With their hits being a favorite among radio disc jockeys and music video channels, the Pussycat Dolls and the Wonder Girls have been among the most sought after girl groups since the UK’s Spice Girls. A closer look at the two groups reveals that their popularity and dance music maybe the only things they have in common. Since the Vaudeville and the big band era, girl groups have been varied in fashion and performance styles but they may target similar audiences or belong to the same genre of music. However, “girl group music has often been trivialized and overlooked within mainstream histories of rock.” (Cateforis, T., 2006) When the Spice Girls became known in the 90s, they “introduced the language of independence to a willing audience of pre- and teenage girls – girl power.” (Whiteley, S., 2000) Consequently, girl groups became more aggressive in expressing themselves through their style and music. This essay will attempt to introduce the reader to two successful all-female groups of this generation. It will also attempt to explain why this writer prefers one of the groups with regards to image, performance style and singing skills. South Korea’s Wonder Girls (WG) became famous in Asia with their single, Tell Me. They are now making waves in the U.S. as the front act for the Jonas Brothers. The group which is composed of Min Sun Ye, Park Ye Eun, Kim Yoo Bin, Sun Mi and Ahn So Hee was formed under the guidance of famous South Korean R & B singer, Rain. They are signed with South Korean label JYP Entertainment and debuted in the beginning of 2007 on M! Countdown singing “Irony”, the title song of their debut album The Wonder Begins. (David, 2009) “The Wonder Girls has been one of the most popular groups (in 2007) with their first song and their cute and sexy dance moves.” (Han, S. 2007) “They seem to have broken the mould, also making their debut US TV appearance on Fox Network’s The Wendy Williams Show.” (Newsdesk, 2009) Even if the lyrics are in Korean language, so far, every song from the group has been well-received even by non-Koreans because of their catchy rhythms. With the Pussycat Dolls, the popularity spread is from the U.S. to Asia and other parts of the world. The group was formed under choreographer Robin Antin. From the USA, the Pussycat Dolls started touring to other parts of the world to promote their hits. The group whose image & members have evolved since beginning in 1995 started out as a burlesque troupe based in Los Angeles. (Pussycat Dolls, 2009) Among its famous former members are Carmen Elektra, Christina Applegate and Christina Aguilera. Now a music group, the lineup consists of Nicole Scherzinger, Melody Thornton, Jessica Sutta, Ashley Roberts and Kimberly Wyatt. Similarly with the Wonder Girls, their hit songs like Jai Ho, Buttons and Don’t Cha among others have also captured the hearts of millions worldwide. Their music, like the Wonder Girls’, is also fast & dance-able. However, their lyrics are geared more towards the adult listeners as they contain connotations of sex, feminism & the like. The Pussycat Dolls is known for their very sexy & racy looks, which is one reason I do not like them. They wear bustiers, corsets, leather pants and the like. Whenever they perform, they seem to focus more on looking sensous than performing well. Fined $3,000 & heavily criticized at a concert in Malaysia for, among others, violation of the country’s code of decency (Gorgan, E. 2006), the Dolls seem to hide their limited vocal skills with their outfits. This is probably the reason why their initial target audience was the male population. Recently, the Pussycat Dolls have been marketed as “live dolls” to appeal to the tweens, or children who are between 9 and 14 years old. If the Pussycat Dolls are depicted as sexy and wild, the Wonder Girls have a decent appeal. They won Asia with their bubbly personalities & their youthfulness. With three members in their 20’s and the other two at 17, it has been very easy for the Wonder Girls to reach their target audience – the tweens. Although they can be seen wearing very short skirts or shorts, these are hot fashion pieces in Korea & worn by the group’s target audience. Since the Wonder Girls’ will be promoting their new record to teenage listeners around the world, they have started dressing up more glamorously. “With their psychedelic leggings, glam coiffures, and retro-inspired outfits, they look set to make waves in the Western world too.” (Newsdesk, 2009) Moreover, each member of the Wonder Girls can speak English well enough for native speakers to appreciate their music. I find this a good reason to like them. With regards to their music, both groups have songs with lively rhythms. A big difference though is the vocalist for each group. For every song, lead singer Nicole sings almost all the parts and the others join her only for the chorus. Unlike them, each Wonder Girl has her own part to sing in each song. This is another reason I like the Wonder Girls. Be it singing or dancing, they work as a team. For them, every dance routine involves moving around together so each singing member is at front & center. Their dance routines are a joy to watch as they move in unison like synchronized swimmers, even when moving to position. Their routines are the third reason I like their group. Nobody, the Wonder Girls’ newest single, is the first of their hits to have an English translation. The original song is in Korean language yet inspired by older music from the 1960s and 1970s, specifically Motown girl groups. (Nobody, 2009) The first and second lines from the chorus are repetitive and easy to remember even for a three-year old. (See Appendix A) The dance steps to this song have become very well-known around the world. In addition, its English translation has been well-received even by non-Koreans in Asia and the U.S. Jai Ho, a Pussycat Dolls’ single (See Appendix B), also topped the charts. Additional interest in the song was probably because two-time Oscar winner A.R. Rahman chanted the famous line (Jai Ho). Also, the song was the soundtrack in the Oscar-winner movie Slumdog Millionaire. In their music video, the Pussycat Dolls danced to the instrumental parts of the song, wearing sexy Hindu-inspired costumes. Originally done in Hindi, their English cover was focused more on sex. Once again, Nicole sang 90% of the time. The second reason I do not like them is because Nicole always has the limelight so the audiences fail to see the other girls’ skills. Whenever I watch them perform, there is no urge for me to watch them again. Truly, lead singer Nicole is pretty & the girls’ faces, body & fashion are beautiful. However, their performances are not special or unique. Aside from dancing together during the choruses, all the girls really do is give an impression of sexiness. This is the third reason I don’t like them. The controlled artistry in the Wonder Girls’ performances is more exciting to see. I like the Wonder Girls’ refreshing act. They can be sexy but respectable at the same time. The Pussycat Dolls need to show they are more than pretty faces. It takes a lot of dedication, hard work, good material & appeal to survive in the music business. Despite their differences, the Wonder Girls & Pussycat Dolls have all four. This writer believes these elements are the reason the girls have become a big success, locally and internationally. Bibliography David. (2009, September 27) South Korea Invaded by Kpop Groups. randomwire.com. Retrieved on October 20, 2009 from http://www.randomwire.com/south-korea-invaded-by-kpop-groups Gorgan, E. (2006 August 10). Raunchy Pussycat Dolls Fined in Malaysia. LIVE Celebs. Retrieved on October 26, 2009 from http://news.softpedia.com/news/Raunchy-Pussycat-Dolls-Fined-in-Malaysia-32501.shtml Han, S. (2007, December 21). Wonder Girls to Debut in US. Arts & Living. The Korea Times. Retrieved on October 20, 2009 from http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2009/09/201_15958.html Jai Ho. (n.d.) Lyricsmode. Retrieved on October 25, 2009 from http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/p/pussycat_dolls/jai_ho.html Jai Ho. (2009, April 16). (video). Retrieved on October 26, 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUxfwtGdCLE Newsdesk. (2009, July 24). Wonder Girls Make Waves in the US as Open Act for Jonas Brothers’ Tour. News ASIAN. MTV Music Television. Retrieved on October 20, 2009 from http://www.mtvasia.com/News/200907/24018273.html Nobody (Wonder Girls song). (2009, October 23). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16:49, October 25, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobody_(Wonder_Girls_song) Nobody. (n.d.) eLyrics.net. Retrieved on October 26, 2009 from http://www.elyrics.net/read/w/wonder-girls-lyrics/nobody-lyrics.html Pussycat Dolls. (2009, October 24). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 05:36, October 25, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pussycat_Dolls&oldid=321814707 Cateforis, T. (2006). The Rock History Reader. (p. 45). New York: Routledge. WG Performance in NY (2009 July 24) Youtube. (video) Retrieved on October 25, 2009 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqPJX4VSM3w&feature=channel Whiteley, S. (2000). Women and Popular Music: Sexuality, Identity and Subjectivity. (p. 215). New York: Routledge. Appendix A Nobody You Know I still Love You Baby. And it will never change. I want nobody nobody But You, I want nobody nobody But You Nandareun sarameun silheo nigaanimyeon silheo I want nobody nobody nobody nobody Nan silheunde wae nar mir eonaeryeogohani jakku naemareun deutji anhgo Wae ireohge dareun namjaege narbonaeryeo hani eotteohge ireoni Nar wihae geureoh dan geumar Neonbujok hadaneun geumar Ijen geuman haeneon nareur aljanha wae won hajido anhneun georgang yohae I want nobody nobody But You I want nobody nobody But You Nandareun sarameun silheo niga animyeon silheo I want nobody nobody nobody nobody I want nobody nobody But You I want nobody nobody But You Nandareun sarameun silheo niga animyeon silheo I want nobody nobody nobody nobody Nan joheun de nan haengbok hande neoman isseu myeondwae deo baral geeopt neunde Nugur mannaseo haengbok haran geoya nan neor tteonaseo haengbok harsueopseo Nar wihae geureoh dan geumar Neonbujok hadaneun geumar Mari andoeneun mari ran georwae molla niga eopsi eotteohge haengbokhae I want nobody nobody But You I want nobody nobody But You Nandareun sarameun silheo niga animyeon silh eo I want nobody nobody nobody nobody I want nobody nobody But You I want nobody nobody But You Nandareun sarameun silheo niga animyeon silheo I want nobody nobody nobody nobody I dont want nobody body body.I dont want nobody body Naneun jeongmar niga animyeon niga animyeon silhdan maryaa~ I want nobody nobody But You I want nobody nobody But You Nandareun sarameun silheo niga animyeon silheo I want nobody nobody nobody nobody I want nobody nobody But You I want nobody nobody But You Nandareun sarameun silheo niga animyeon silheo I want nobody nobody nobody nobody RAP) Back to the days when we were so young and wild and free Modeunge neomuna kkumman gatatdeon geuttaero doragago sipeunde Waejakku nareur mireo naeryeohae Why do you push me away. I dont want nobody nobody Nobody nobody but you. Appendix B Jai Ho (Jai Ho) (2x) I got (I got) shivers (shivers), When you touch my face, Ill make you hot, Get all you got, Ill make you wanna say (Jai Ho) (2x) I got (I got) fever (fever), Running like a fire, For you I will go all the way, Im gonna take you higher (Jai Ho) I keep it steady Cause steady is how I deal it. This beat is heavy, so heavy, You gonna feel it. (Jai Ho) You are the reason that I breathe, (Jai Ho) You are the reason that I still believe, (Jai Ho) You are my destiny (my destiny), Jai Ho! Oh-oh-oh-oh! (Jai Ho) No there is nothing that can stop us, (Jai Ho) Nothing can ever come between us, (Jai Ho) So come and dance with me, Jai Ho! Oohh oh Catch me, catch me, catch me, come on catch me, I want you now, I know you can save me, come and save me, I need you now. I am yours forever, yes, forever, I will follow, Anywhere n any way, Never gonna let go. (Jai Ho) (2x) Escape (escape) away (away), Ill take you to a place, This fantasy of you and me, Ill never lose the chase. (Jai Ho) Yeaahhhh (Jai Ho) Yeaahhhh I can (I can) feel you (feel you), Rushing through my veins, Theres an ocean in my heart, I will never be the same. (Jai Ho) Just keep it burnin, yeah baby, Just keep it comin, (Jai Ho) Youre gonna find out, baby, Im one in a million. (Jai Ho) You are the reason that I breathe (that I breathe), (Jai Ho) You are the reason that I still believe (I still believe), (Jai Ho) You are my destiny (my destiny), Jai Ho! Oh-oh-oh-oh! (You and me, its destiny) (Jai Ho) No there is nothing that can stop us, (Jai Ho) Nothing can ever come between us, (Jai Ho) So come and dance with me, Jai Ho! Oohh oh Catch me, catch me, catch me, come on catch me, I want you now, I know you can save me, come and save me, I need you now. I am yours forever, yes, forever, I will follow, Anywhere n any way, Never gonna let go. (Jai Ho) Yeeeaaahh, (Jai Ho) Yeeeaaahh, (Jai Ho) I need you, Gonna make it, (Jai Ho) Im ready, So take it! (Jai Ho) You are the reason that I breathe (I breathe), (Jai Ho) You are the reason that I still believe (I still believe), (Jai Ho) You are my destiny (my destiny), Jai Ho! Oh-oh-oh-oh! (Jai Ho) No there is nothing that can stop us (that can stop us), (Jai Ho) Nothing can ever come between us, (Jai Ho) So come and dance with me, Jai Ho! Oohh oh (You and me, its destiny) (Jai Ho!) Baila baila! Baila baila! (Jai Ho!) Baila baila! Jai Ho! Read More