Despite the fact that no-one is leading the No Campaign, there are still plenty of people who think that banning Robin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ is a bad idea, myself included.

The song that sparked controversy (clean version)

The problem with banning anything is that it opens the door to banning other songs. And, ultimately, is  ‘Blurred Lines’ really all that different, and that much more offensive, than many other songs we all love dancing to?

50 Cent – ‘Thug Love’

Features lyrics like: ‘A thug’s what I need…he knows when I want it’ (sung by Destiny’s Child)

“He knows I want it”

T.I. – ‘Do It’

‘Hey as soon as she get in I’m a find her ass

The first record the DJ spend I’m behind her ass

I don’t care if I got some henn’ I’m putting down my glass

Just so I can get out there and grind her ass’

Photo credit Perez Hilton

Rihanna – ‘Pour It Up’

Here is the video for Rihanna’s new single ‘Pour it up’. This objectifies women just as much as ‘Blurred Lines’. In fact, it is possibly worse as Rihanna is an international superstar and a role-model (whether she likes it or not) for thousands of young girls, and is showing them that the way to be cool and successful is, well, this:

Rihanna- Pour It Up

A good role model?

Let’s not even mention Miley Cyrus…

Courtesy of Terry Richardson

More reasons to vote ‘No’:

We are a university campus, not a school. Everyone affected by this ban is an adult, and has the right to listen to whatever music they like. If they really do not want to listen to ‘Blurred Lines’, then they can move to another room. We should also know by now that the lyrics sexualise and objectify women, as do those of many songs, and we should be educated enough to make up our own minds whether or not the content has any value.

I like ‘Blurred Lines’. I like dancing to it and I like getting drunk and silly and singing along in a mock Robin Thicke growl ‘I know you want it’ to my friends. I don’t agree with the objectification of women, but I don’t agree with the objectification of men either, and I don’t think that women in this case have the high ground when it comes to song lyrics or videos.

If we ban this song from campus then there is no reason not to ban scores of other music by male and female artists alike, which would impede everyone’s entertainment. It is impossible to draw a line between what is acceptable and what isn’t, and no-one can make that decision for anyone else. We are all adults entitled to our own opinions. Vote NO and close the floodgates for the censorship of many beloved tunes, or the A-list may never be the same again.