Miley. Ke$ha. Rihanna. It seems like every young female singer these days thinks that wearing thongs is the only way to stay relevant and drive up publicity.

Women in music baring skin isn't really all that new in music. In fact, we can barely remember a time when we weren't constantly surrounded by images of the flawless female form everywhere, from porn to ad campaigns, on the runways, etc. So it's really not all that shocking. If her intent was to become the subject of the national conversation, she's definitely achieved that goal.

But while there's nothing wrong with being confident and proud of your body, what's the point if there's no artistic intent or message behind it? At least when Madonna did it, it was part of a commentary about sex and power; same thing with Joséphine Baker when she did that topless banana dance as a form of liberation from Nazis and the civil rights movement.



As for Miley (and her counterparts), what's her message? Rebelling against being a rich, white girl all her life? Here's what pop critic Jon Pareles had to say about the new Miley in a this New York Times podcast:
She doesn't feel like a producer's instrument, the way Britney Spears always did. She feels like she's in the wheelhouse — she or someone very close to her is being smart about their choices. But here's the thing: Now that you've got our attention, couldn't you say something more interesting?

Even Madonna, who was attention-getter supreme, for decades, always tried to put a little something more than just "Look at me" in her songs. I mean, that's what Miley Cyrus, that's what all of these young pop stars aspire to, is Madonna, is that impact. And if Miley Cyrus's only impact is 'wasn't that weird what she was doing with that foam finger,' this to me is not the kind of thing Madonna brought out with questions about religion and sexuality and power. Madonna's provocations led somewhere besides attention and the next batch of merch being sold.
So if you too, dear reader, feel like you need an escape from this 'Naked Celebrity Fatigue' syndrome, you can check out these other talented pop stars below who certainly don't need to bare skin in order to get noticed: