Jessie Murph, 19-year-old artist, is under fire after releasing her new single 1965, with many accusing it of romanticizing a repressive past. Fans and critics have condemned the track as appearing to glamorize an era of racism, sexism, and strict gender roles.
The criticism escalated because the song’s lyrics and its retro-futuristic music video. Fans criticized that rather than criticizing the past, the video and lyrics painted it in a positively glazed-over manner. As one critic on social media noticed, the song ‘felt more like a nostalgic tribute than a satire’.
The indignation spread to social media fast. A Twitter user posted, “why the hell is jessie murph’s 1965 video literally have that scene?? GIRL THATS A CHILD ??”
why the hell is jessie murph’s 1965 video literally have that scene?? GIRL THATS A CHILD ?? pic.twitter.com/Pim2Y0dojD
— buck ᵎᵎ (@orng3s_) July 20, 2025
Sorry not sorry but who tf is listening to this an actually enjoying it? Between the HORRIBLE lyrics and her horrible voice?????? #JessieMurph pic.twitter.com/3hvjqgmIBP
— Mel 🎄 (@mcnuggetmel) July 20, 2025
Another user attacked a shocking transition of the music video, stating, “so jessie murphs mv was indeed THAT CONCERNING, like how can you have the shot of a little girl and in the next second THAT is happening?”
Fighting back the tide of criticism, Murph turned to TikTok to stand up for herself. In one video, she claimed, “The whole song is satire. Are y’all stupid?” She went on to add in a comment beneath, “for legal reasons this is satire, i promise,” as cited by The Tribune.
But her excuse did nothing to soothe the storm. Most found the satirical nature of the post not evident and wondered about the timing. A social media critic wrote, “If you need to declare it satire after people get offended, maybe it wasn’t apparent,” while another said, “Satire is not a get-out-of-jail-free card.”
Others even questioned the motive of the lyrics. One user commented, “Has anyone listened to the song 1965 by Jessie Murph? Read the lyrics, it’s literally far-right propaganda that’s urging women to relinquish their rights. Ppl saying it’s satirical but with everything happening, why say this while we’re literally at the risk of losing our rights ??”
Doubt about Murph’s defense increased as many charged her with attempting to backpedal only after the backlash began. A leading comment on TikTok stated, “If outrage hadn’t begun, would she have labeled it satire at all?”
The song 1965 is still up on main streaming sites. Neither Jessie Murph nor her camp has made a statement so far.
