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

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.