An editor at NPR Music, Frannie Kelley states, "Lyrically, it's problematic, but I feel like so many pop songs right now are problematic". A lot of songs these days are on the edge and pushing the normal boundaries making people more uncomfortable. I don't think we can treat this song any differently. Yes, it was a hit song so more people heard it, but it was still published and it had to have been liked by people to get the rating it received. Also, the lyrics "I know you want it" are stated multiple times which don't directly target sexual consent. The women are given the change to react in the lyrics as well so the decision is going both ways even if it seems like it isn't.
I do think that this song has it moments when things are taken too far. I never pictured any bad things when I heard the song, but as soon as I saw the video it changed my perception of the song. If it is a well known song the music video should be for everyone to enjoy. I wouldn't want my kids to watch the video even if they loved the song. I think the video is degrading to women as it clearly show that the men are in control of the women, but I don't think rape is the main message. I think it has a lot of open ended areas where the audience can chose the outcome. Overall, the song crossed some boundaries, but a lot of songs do these days so it doesn't deserve the label of being "Rapey" though it shows signs of being degrading to women. Sooner than later, I bet some limits will be put on what songs can imply.
