This week we are going to review the song “Labour” performed by Paris Paloma, who has united all women together in one common point. Let’s start by looking at the unifying effect of music and its role in expressing our emotions.
Music is not only an aesthetic experience but also a social and psychological means of expression. The historical role of music in making the emotions and experiences of oppressed groups visible is undeniable. In this context, British artist Paris Paloma’s song “Labour,” released in 2023, quickly went beyond being just a popular culture product and became a feminist anthem. In particular, one of the most remarkable sections is the list of social roles ordered consecutively: “mother, maid, nurse, servant, virgin, whore.” This ranking is a reflection of the opposing roles that women have been forced to assume throughout history. From a psychological perspective, the imposition of such contradictory roles at the same time can lead to identity confusion and feelings of guilt and inadequacy. The fact that the song evokes the same feelings in all women and spreads rapidly through social media platforms has set the stage for individual experiences to turn into a collective cry of solidarity and anger. The aim of this article is to examine the effects of “Labour” on women in a psychological and social context, to relate it to the perspective of feminist therapy, and to decipher the psychological dynamics underlying women’s standing together. If everyone is ready, let’s get started — have fun reading.
Feminist Influences from Past to Present
The historical development of the feminism movement is important for understanding why contemporary works such as “Labour” have such a strong resonance. First wave feminism started with the struggle of women for basic political rights (especially election) in the 19th century. Second-wave feminism has focused on areas such as body politics, inequalities in work life, and the invisibility of domestic labor since the 1960s. Third wave feminism has emphasized the importance of different experiences by moving through diversity and identity politics. Today, fourth wave feminism is based on organizing in digital spaces, creating solidarity, and a global voice against gender inequalities (Reedy & Haynes, 2023). The rapid spread of “Labour” on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram is a typical example of this digital spirit of solidarity.
The Psychological Dimension of Women’s Turn to Song
The psychological effects of the song are seen in three basic mechanisms:
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Emotional Identification: The gender roles emphasized in the song’s lyrics (such as mother, servant, caregiver) resonate with the life experiences of many women.
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Catharsis: Music makes it easier to express repressed emotions. “Labour” allows women to express their feelings of anger, frustration, and burnout in a safe aesthetic framework (Hadley, 2006).
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Sense of Solidarity: Sharing videos of people singing along to the song on social media has helped women realize that they are not alone. This situation enables individual experiences to turn into a collective consciousness.
Therefore, women shout out that they are not alone and support all their fellow women. It is possible to observe the effect of the song not only at a theoretical level but also through concrete user experiences. Thousands of comments on the song on platforms like YouTube and TikTok show that women relate their own life stories to this song. For example, one listener uses the phrase “It’s like he’s describing my life from beginning to end, it’s the first time someone has described me so accurately,” while another says “This song made me feel that I’m not alone.” Such comments prove that “Labour” functions not only as an aesthetic experience but also as a collective psychological support mechanism. Thus, the song confirms the principle of “what is personal is political,” which is often emphasized in the perspective of feminist therapy, in everyday life.
Feminist Therapy Perspective
Feminist therapy developed in the 1970s under the leadership of names such as Laura Brown and Jean Baker Miller, and advocated that individual experiences should be understood in a social context with the motto “the personal is political.” Feminist therapy emphasizes that the oppression and inequalities experienced by women are not only individual psychological problems but also the result of social structures (Bodry & Schwantes, 2021).
“Labour” resonates with this approach of feminist therapy. The lyrics of the song clearly express the invisible domestic labour and the burden of social roles that women are exposed to. Therefore, this song serves as a kind of “collective therapy,” drawing attention to the fact that the problems experienced by women are not personal, but systemic.
Psychological Reasons for Women to Stand Together
The women’s unity around the song can be explained by social identity theory and the psychology of collective action. According to social identity theory, individuals define themselves by identifying with the groups they belong to. The women’s identity has created a common ground of belonging around “Labour.” In addition, empathy and mirroring processes are also important. As women hear other people’s stories, they realize that their own lives are legitimate as well. This reduces the feeling of loneliness and strengthens the sense of community.
Conclusion
Paris Paloma’s work “Labour” can be considered one of the feminist anthems of the modern era. While the song makes visible the invisible labor burden experienced by women and the oppression of gender roles, it also serves as a psychological solidarity and collective therapy. The song is compatible with the “personal is political” approach of feminist therapy theories and contributes to the understanding of individual experiences in a social context. In summary, “Labour” is not just a song; the current reflection of women’s historical struggle is presented as a collective healing space and a cultural phenomenon worth examining in terms of feminist psychology.
You can also listen to the song and explore its comments here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvU4xWsN7-A
Literature
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Bodry, K., & Schwantes, M. (2021). Clinical applications of feminist music therapy: An overview of the literature. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 30(2), 106–130. https://doi.org/10.1080/08098131.2020.1753230
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Curtis, S. L. (2023). Feminist Music Therapists in North America: Their Lives and Their Practices. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy. https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v23i1.2273
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Hadley, S. (Ed.). (2006). Feminist Perspectives in Music Therapy.
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Reedy, F., & Haynes, K. (2023). Daughter-mother perspectives on feminist activism in the academy. Gender, Work & Organization, 30(2), 425–440. https://doi.org/10.1177/13505084211061237
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Bostancı, E. C. (2020). Analysis of alternative rock scene through feminist standpoint (Master’s thesis). Middle East Technical University. https://open.metu.edu.tr/handle/11511/46153