Let's face it, we've all been there. Whether we scrolled through endless pictures on Tumblr or if we were screaming their names from the crowd, we've all had that shameless crush on that guy on the stage. But what is it about them exactly? How can they so easily become the center of a teenage girl's universe? Commonly considered a part of a normal rebellious phase in a teenager's life, no one has yet to explore the deeper psychological underpinnings of this attraction. I, for one, refuse to believe it is merely on looks alone. Now, while my theory may not be exact science, I've allowed for my empirical evidence through my own experience to make up for what I lack in numerical data. With that, it's time to put my theory to the test.
1. Let's begin from where we can all agree: they're bad boys. This first component goes along with the whole rebellious phase idea. From the hair to the tattoos, these boys embody the total image of what our parents warned us about. Their promiscuous song lyrics let us know they're mature enough to have gotten around. I mean, there's just something so alluring about the mystery of a bad boy.
2. Who are clearly sensitive. Speaking of song lyrics, they're obviously just having a hard exterior because they've been hurt in the past. Girls naturally love picking up the pieces (I'll chalk that up to our maternal instincts). We would love the thrill of making this bad boy good.
3. They've seen the world. A well-traveled man equals maturity in my book. Nothing is more attractive than a man with confidence. There is also that Disney's "Aladdin" romanticized thought in our head that they could "show us the world."
4. The romance of music. It's just as simple as that. Music makes us feel a certain way and when we are put in front of the people that make that music possible you can't help but to form a certain appreciation and love for them. There's also the little hope in the back of our head that one day perhaps a song could be written about us.
5. Good ol' female competition. This is easily the most important component of my hypothesis. The sense of competition between females could fuel a war. We see what other women want, and we want it more. Maybe it's because of our instinctual desire to prove that we are the alpha female, or maybe its because we simply lack and desire the attention that comes with obtaining something in the spotlight.
There you have it folks. All these components tied together, easily explains at least a portion of the obsession with guys in a band. And of course, this theory obviously works both ways. I mean, do I even need to mention everyone's girl crush on the lead singer of Paramore, Hayley Williams?
In the end, these guys on stage are just guys. While we have come to idolize them, it is important to remember that, like us, they are human. They're awkward and fun, and they experience heartbreak, and joy, and I bet they even go to the bathroom too. And it's their humanity that makes them most attractive.
