Femicide, revenge and victim-blaming in pop songs: 'I loved her so much I had to kill her’

HELEN BAKER; ELEANOR PETERS

Femicide, revenge and victim-blaming in pop songs: 'I loved her so much I had to kill her’

History, Geography & Social Sciences

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter considers the similarities in the narratives of popular songs and ballads and real-life violence against women, whether that is femicide, violence and abuse or coercive and controlling behaviours (CCB). The criminal defences pleaded by men who have murdered or seriously harmed their (ex) partners have parallels to these musical tales that have been recounted for hundreds of years. Through an analysis of historical ballads and contemporary popular music, this chapter reveals how cultural storytelling continues to romanticise, rationalise, or potentially glorify gendered violence, thereby reinforcing harmful societal norms. In considering these enduring narratives, the chapter challenges readers to reconsider the role of music in shaping public perceptions of accountability, victimhood, and justice.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	The Palgrave Handbook of Violence Against Women and Girls
Editors	Loretta Trickett, Irene Zempi, Jo Smith
Place of Publication	Basingstoke
Publisher	Palgrave Macmillan
Chapter	17
Edition	1st
Publication status	Accepted/In press - 14 Dec 2025

Publication series

Name	Palgrave Handbooks
Publisher	Palgrave Macmillan

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 5 Gender Equality
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

music
femicide
violence
controlling or coercive behaviour
criminal defences

Embargoed Document

Baker+Peters+Final
Accepted author manuscript, 78.8 KB
Licence: CC BY-NC-ND
Embargo ends: 01/01/2051 00:00 GMT

Cite this

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Femicide, revenge and victim-blaming in pop songs: 'I loved her so much I had to kill her’. / BAKER, HELEN ; PETERS, ELEANOR.
The Palgrave Handbook of Violence Against Women and Girls. ed. / Loretta Trickett; Irene Zempi; Jo Smith. 1st. ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2025. (Palgrave Handbooks).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

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Femicide, revenge and victim-blaming in pop songs: 'I loved her so much I had to kill her’

Abstract

Publication series

UN SDGs

Keywords

Embargoed Document

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