Jessie Murph’s ‘trad-wife’ ballad 1965 is stirring up a lot of controversy online – this is why
US singer Jessie Murph has sparked controversy with her latest song ‘1965’. (XNY/Star Max/GC Images)
US singer Jessie Murph has sparked controversy with her latest song '1965'. (XNY/Star Max/GC Images)
American singer Jessie Murph’s new ballad “1965” is stirring up controversy online, due to what many people believe are regressive and anti-feminist lyrics.
The 19-year-old singer’s new song has been accused of romanticising racism, sexism, and conservative gender roles.
The lyrics reference the year in the title, with one line in particular, “I think I’d give up a few rights if you would just love me like it’s 1965,” sparking significant backlash.
The song is accompanied by a retro-style music video that reinforces the message of the lyrics.
In 1965, many minority groups faced inequality and social marginalisation. Despite the civil rights movement being at its peak, segregation between white and Black people was still widespread in the US, while women continued to fight for equal rights.
Homosexuality was criminalised in all US states, apart from Illinois, and the community had no legal protections against discrimination. In the UK, male homosexuality was still illegal in Britain, but lesbianism was not.
Taking to X following the singer’s appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, frustrated listeners questioned why she was allowed to perform the song.
One person responded to a GIF of someone taking a pen away from someone writing, saying: “By that time, women got lobotomized by their husbands for talking too much, lol. What rights is she even thinking about?”
By that time, women get lobotomized by their husband because they talk a lot lol. What right is she even thinking about lol?
— aKO AY TAO 1234 (@itlogmonster) July 24, 2025
“How does jessie murph have fans,” one person captioned a GIF of a woman looking shocked.
Someone else referenced another controversial lyric in the song: “Jessie Murph’s new song ‘1965’ has a lyric that says ‘I might get a little slap slap but you wouldn’t hit me on snapchat’ referring to how she would rather be subject to domestic violence in 1965 than modern day dating and i cannot stop thinking about it that’s so insane.”
jessie murph new song “1965” has a lyric that says “i might get a little slap slap but you wouldn’t hit me on snapchat” referring to how she would rather be subject to domestic violence in 1965 than modern day dating and i cannot stop thinking about it that’s so insane
— katie 🦋 (@libraavenuus) July 22, 2025
Another person wrote: “Read the lyrics, it’s literally far right propaganda that is encouraging women to give up their rights. Ppl saying it’s satire but given everything going on, why say this while we are literally at risk of losing our rights ??”
The music video has a sex scene, and right before it shows a child…
— Hana Katana ⚔️😷🏴🇵🇸🇨🇩🇸🇩🇱🇧🇾🇪🚩🏳️🌈 (@KatanaSpeaks) July 21, 2025
There are so many things wrong with this song.
“I’m convinced jessie murph is a social experiment like there’s just no way,” another concerned listener wrote.
im convinced jessie murph is a social experiment like there's just no way
— mara (@idleavealone) July 20, 2025
Someone else referred to the song as “republican trad wife propaganda.”
Jessie Murph took to TikTok in response to the backlash, claiming that “the entire song is satire.”
She added, in text overlaid on a video of her slapping herself: “Are y’all stupid?”
@jessiemurphhh ♬ 1965 – J E S S I E M U R P H
However, many viewers weren’t convinced and continued to call her out in comments under the TikTok.
“It’s not satire if ppl don’t get it,” one person wrote in response.
Another commented, “how’s it gonna be satire if no one catches on to the fact it’s satire then.”
“Please take this song down,” someone else added.
Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
