The Feminine Musique: “Girl” by The Internet
The Feminine Musique is a series where writers analyze portrayals of women in music.
An analysis of “Girl” by the Internet presents a new portrayal of women from within the LGBTQ+ community.
Written by Parvathy Vasudev
Photo courtesy of Conversations About Her
By combining neo-soul and alternative R&B, The Internet provides listeners with a new understanding of love. Like many of their songs, “Girl” illuminates a more laid-back, soft spoken connotation of love that focuses on queer normativity.
On the track, lead singer Syd the Kyd sings to a girl–– hence the title. She describes how perfect their relationship could be, particularly highlighting how she could and should be valued. As the lyrics progress, the listeners feel more of the “love daze” that Syd finds herself in, complete with sultry, warm undertones of infatuation. Moreover, what distinguishes this song from the traditional canon of love songs is that it's addressed to a girl from a girl. In doing so, Syd, who is openly gay, creates a space to represent queer love, and as a result, creates a new, more complete understanding of both love and women.
The chorus starts at the beginning of the song. Describing the girl, Syd sings:
Baby if I told you that you rock my world, I want you around me
Would you let me call you my girl, my girlfriend, my girlfriend?
I can give you the life you deserve, just say the word
And I got and more
Girl
If they don't know your worth
Tell 'em you're my girl
And anything you want is yours
Unlike many lyrics directed to women by male artists, Syd chooses to not define the girl based on their relationship. Specifically, the lyric “Baby if I told you that you rock my world” gives the woman room to know her own worth without the validation of someone else. This is in stark contrast to many songs that prefer women to be unaware of their own value, relying on making them satisfied with themselves through men’s validation.
The verses continue on:
I can give you the life you deserve, just say the word, baby
And I got you, darling, I got you
Syd is describing a relationship where she can provide the girl with anything she wants, as long as she wants it –– without infringing on her individuality. Syd envisions a relationship in which the girl is autonomous while Syd is simultaneously able to provide her with care and assurance.
The second verse builds:
Passion burning, causing rapture of laughter
Pressure building, falling faster and faster
Listeners can see indications of reciprocity and mutual commitment within the relationship. Syd is able to show the woman in a healthy, “live in the moment” relationship, where she is cared and provided for as an equal partner.
There are not enough healthy representations of romantic relationships in the media, and women’s roles are often subject to conventional, damaging stereotypes. With the song “Girl,” Syd is able to break this typecast for women, instead showcasing them in loving, healthy, mutually beneficial relationships.