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Song Stories

“Men's Needs”

The Cribs | 2007

With the energetic tune "Men’s Needs," this three-piece English band takes on gender stereotypes in rock & roll. "We were a little disillusioned by the attitudes of indie bands," Cribs bassist and singer Gary Jarman said. "It seems like bands would be singing slightly misogynistic lyrics. So we just tried to flip it around." A dance-y, frantic guitar riff drives the song. In the video, the band members emasculate themselves as a nude woman objectifies them while they try to perform. "She’s the dominant force in the video," Jarman said.

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“Bad Moon Rising”
Creedence Clearwater Revival | 1969
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“Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”
Crosby, Stills and Nash | 1969

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Song Stories

“Tonight's the Night”

The Shirelles | 1960

The lead cut and title track from this girl group's debut album, "Tonight's the Night" was written by 19-year-old bandmember Shirley Owens, who sings lead, and producer Luther Dixon. The band from Passaic, New Jersey met in high school, first calling themselves the Pequellos. The song's frank thoughts about sexual and emotional surrender was racy for the time, but that didn't stop the Chiffons from cutting a similar version immediately after the original came out. "We were the first female group to write some of our own material," band member Beverly Lee recalls. "We did have some say-so in our writing."

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