My *Love* for Ms. Love...or: Why Courtney Love Still Matters in 2010

Today marks the release of Nobody's Daughter, Hole's first studio release in twelve years. While the album and Hole's accompaning U.S. tour has garnered quite a bit of media attention, I've noticed that an overarching question has dominated much of the fanfare: does Courtney Love, frontwoman of Hole and grunge goddess of the 90s, matter anymore?

Courtney Love, March 19, 2010, Austin, Texas

I'm here to answer an enthusiastic yes - perhaps now more than ever, Courtney Love is not only relevant, but a necessary force, in pop culture.

First, my own recent encounter with Ms. Love: Last month I saw Courtney Love return to the stage at the much hyped Spin Magazine SXSW party here in Austin, Texas.  Like many other “girls of the 90s”, I had been long-awaiting Courtney’s emergence back into the music scene with intense anticipation. The last time I had seen Courtney perform I was 16-years-old, and it was at the height of Hole’s Celebrity Skin tour – an occasion that now feels like a lifetime ago. (On a side note: I also went to her 2006 book signing in New York City – and yes, I may have been wearing a black tutu…indicative of my resistance to giving up the Courtney-esque fashion that plaugued most of my teen years). So seeing Courtney weild her guitar again was a dream that I couldn't believe was actually happening.

Needless to say the show was a success – Courtney reclaimed her rock-goddess tiara (admittedly replaced with more of a sparkly headband this time around) and blasted out songs as if little had changed since 1995. But of course, things have changed. We've had "Girl Power" and Britney, Beyonce and Amy Winehouse. And while there's always been those who have hated Courtney, online banter has been dismissive, and sometimes outright hostile, of her return.

But whether you’re a Courtney fan or not, it’s impossible to deny that she’s a rock star. Her importance lies in her rock star status... And to put in bluntly, we desperately need more female rock stars in today's pop culture.

I'm not going to lament about the good old days of Riot Grrl, where female musicians were angry, fierce (and not in the Tyra Banks sense) and yes, admitted to being feminist. I am going to suggest though that, despite there being an array of talented, feminist musicians today, few (if any?) have become rock stars in the way that Courtney has.

Courtney Love, March 19, 2010, Austin, TexasRock stars must be rude, loud, and occasionally obnoxious. Unpredictable, uncontrollable, and unruly. And they have staying power. In other words, you’re a record label’s worst nightmare – but there’s something about you that fans love. Rock stars aren't underground -- they don't want to be -- but they also don't necessarily pander to commercial interests (to wit: Coutney's refusal to promote her rather disasterous 2004 solo studio album America's Sweetheart). Kurt Cobain didn't want to be a rock star, but Courtney always did.

The male rock star has been more easily accepted into mainstream popular culture because many of the rock stars antics are seen as masculine traits, and the boys will be boys attitude prevails. Women who dare step too much out of line, on the other hand, are seen as unruly women – potentially dangerous and upsetting gender dynamics in a way that makes people uncomfortable. Courtney’s positioning as an unruly woman in the media began almost at the same time as she began to become recognized for her bleached bedhead and torn babydolls. From being lambasted by journalists for being a bad mother back in 1992 to accusations about relying on male talent to make Celebrity Skin in 1998, to recent musings about her sanity, Courtney has always pissed some people off. But while male rock stars are often excused from their behaviour (John Mayor's recent onstage breakdown to cite the latest example) and go on to extended careers and reunion tours (The Rolling Stones, again?), Courtney continues to be criticized for her antics, and now for her return to the stage.

The cover of Nobody's DaughterMany men that I’ve spoken to about Courtney find her despicable. I’ve heard then call her awful, horrible, misogynistic names that I won't repeat here. I'd like to suggest though that these responses are because of her ability to upset notions of femininity, feminism, and music culture itself. She blurs the lines between public and private and between femininity and masculinity. And while some may not like this, that's not a bad thing for women.

Female rock stars can be role models for girls – not necessarily as direct behavior models, of course – but as forces that show women it's possible to be angry, loud, and opinionated. By no means am I suggesting that Courtney doesn't have any problems, its apparent she does, but she wears them on her sleeve and breaks down the restricting notion that girls must not only be perfect in the appearance, but also perfect in life.

We need someone to be unruly… if only to show us that we can.

xo, jessalynn

Comments

[Ikram]

Well, I'm going to have to disagree with you my friend. I think she didn't get a free pass from the media because of her actions. showing up drunk to TV programs, red carpets, throwing things on Madonna (my idol, don't mess with her:)... I think that's what hurt her career more than her mothering issues or the failure of her album. I definitely would not want her to be a model for my daughter. A star should be a star everywhere on stage and off stage.

[tiffany1837jewelry]

tiffany and co
Tiffany Jewelry
Tiffany jewellery
tiffany&Co
Tiffany
Buy Tiffany
tiffany necklaces
tiffany bracelets
tiffany earrings
Tiffany rings
tiffany cufflinks sale
Tiffany Atlas ring
Tiffany Elsa Peretti
Tiffany Frank Gehry
Return To Tiffany
Tiffany & Co bangle
Tiffany Notes
tiffany bangles
Silver bangles
bangles

[yangjian]

Gucci Shoes now produces flavor styles of shoes, loafers, clogs, and boots – and now even heels, Gucci Shoes have grown from the chief feature innate supplies and emphasizing durability, comfort, and strong feet, Gucci shoes for men makes men’s and women’s footwear. Having a group of high responsibility, especially inquiries department, authentic Gucci Shoes has put huge inquiries time studying how the time, Gucci changed by the recurring shock of daily walking and workmanship. Despite some worth issues over the person body is fitting a cult desired and is well on the person body. Sometimes mistaken for Birkenstocks, Discount Gucci Shoes will be assured that Gucci delivers the finest in value and operation. The self-proclaimed “finest walking shoes in the world”, Gucci Shoes takes an international success. Gucci women boots are physiological footwear intended.