Friday
21Oct2005
Hating the Haters
Before I moved to New York City I thought it perfectly acceptable to admit to enjoying a listen to The Dave Matthews Band and Coldplay.. In case you aren't 'in the know', it isn't. Really, it's just tacky. I'm sorry to be the one to break the bad news, but it simply is not hip to listen to any band more than a few thousand people know about. Unless! Said artist was popular before you were born (although keep in mind this rule comes with a few caveats. Read on to find out). For example; I like The Clash. Even though they're an extremely popular band, this still works with those 'in the know' because it's almost retro. I actually had to discover The Clash instead of being hypnotized by radio or MTV airwaves, therefore The Clash is a safe bet. But really, the more obscure the band, the more regard you garner from those 'in the know'. If you can reel off a band those 'in the know' have never heard of, you're a musical genius, no matter how shite the music.
Just this week I was informed by one 'in the know' that liking The Beatles is soo over..
"Oh, you like The Beatles.. but they're so cliche!" said in contrived bored tones accompanied by a dramatic eye roll. Huh? The Beatles? I always figured something became a cliche because of it's popularity. If wearing flared jeans is a fashion cliche, doesn't that mean a lot of people are digging the flare? If liking The Beatles is a cliche, doesn't it follow then that a lot of people are into their tunes?
What has happened to sincerity? My generation is exhausting me. My sneering, sarcastic, slouching, artistic contemporaries are wearing me out. Am I doomed to share sidewalks and subways with sarcastic, oversized sunglasses wearing, strange hair cut sporting, too cool for schoolers?
Tough crowd, these New Yorkers. But are they New Yorkers? These scruffy haired, androgenous "free thinkers"? Don't they all come from someplace else, like me? It's rigorous trying to stay in on the joke. And always with the sarcasm, the irony, the smug smirking.
I never thought I'd say this but give me a squealing TRL fan any day. At least they're sincere. They wear their emotions on their sleeves and don't care who liked which band first, they're just happy you like the music. They dance at concerts (I know, it's crazy) actually seem to enjoy themselves instead of standing there, feet super glued to the ground, cigarette dangling from sneering lips, smoke hazing around disheveled hair that took ages to perfect. If you watch them long enough, you may spot a tapping toe, a slight nod of the head.. Maybe..
I like what I like and it doesn't mean I don't understand music, that I can't appreciate 'real' music'. You hipsters just want to feel like you're on a higher musical plane than the masses, that your finely tuned ear picks up what the rest of us idiots stupidly ignore.. But the minute the world discovers your band you're on to the next obscurity. You'll stick around long enough to utter "I've been listening since..." "I remember when..." "They're such sell outs now..." and then you're off, in search of the new and obscure as a means of setting yourself above the rest of us musical morons.
P.S. I listened to Milli Vanilli in junior high and I luuurrrved them and even though I hate her on general principle, Britney Spears' music makes me sing along AND tap my toe! How is it that I never bought a single album of hers AND don't listen to much radio yet I know every damn song.. THAT'S musical genius my friends..
Just this week I was informed by one 'in the know' that liking The Beatles is soo over..
"Oh, you like The Beatles.. but they're so cliche!" said in contrived bored tones accompanied by a dramatic eye roll. Huh? The Beatles? I always figured something became a cliche because of it's popularity. If wearing flared jeans is a fashion cliche, doesn't that mean a lot of people are digging the flare? If liking The Beatles is a cliche, doesn't it follow then that a lot of people are into their tunes?
What has happened to sincerity? My generation is exhausting me. My sneering, sarcastic, slouching, artistic contemporaries are wearing me out. Am I doomed to share sidewalks and subways with sarcastic, oversized sunglasses wearing, strange hair cut sporting, too cool for schoolers?
Tough crowd, these New Yorkers. But are they New Yorkers? These scruffy haired, androgenous "free thinkers"? Don't they all come from someplace else, like me? It's rigorous trying to stay in on the joke. And always with the sarcasm, the irony, the smug smirking.
I never thought I'd say this but give me a squealing TRL fan any day. At least they're sincere. They wear their emotions on their sleeves and don't care who liked which band first, they're just happy you like the music. They dance at concerts (I know, it's crazy) actually seem to enjoy themselves instead of standing there, feet super glued to the ground, cigarette dangling from sneering lips, smoke hazing around disheveled hair that took ages to perfect. If you watch them long enough, you may spot a tapping toe, a slight nod of the head.. Maybe..
I like what I like and it doesn't mean I don't understand music, that I can't appreciate 'real' music'. You hipsters just want to feel like you're on a higher musical plane than the masses, that your finely tuned ear picks up what the rest of us idiots stupidly ignore.. But the minute the world discovers your band you're on to the next obscurity. You'll stick around long enough to utter "I've been listening since..." "I remember when..." "They're such sell outs now..." and then you're off, in search of the new and obscure as a means of setting yourself above the rest of us musical morons.
P.S. I listened to Milli Vanilli in junior high and I luuurrrved them and even though I hate her on general principle, Britney Spears' music makes me sing along AND tap my toe! How is it that I never bought a single album of hers AND don't listen to much radio yet I know every damn song.. THAT'S musical genius my friends..
Oct 21, 2005
Reader Comments (20)
Helter Skelter..come on. it doen't get more hard core than that!
Keep your additude girl! That's why we love you!
P.S. I looooved New Kids on the Block...and I still know how to do "The Right Stuff Dance" :)
I'm over it. Give me my Pearl Jam. My Duran Duran. My Cure and my Depeche Mode. I don't care if I have to sit in the last row because there are 45,000 in front of me. I don't care. I grew up listening to these bands and I love them.
I like what I like. I am sure we all know bands that someone else has never heard of, but it doesn't make us cool! LOL I like what I like!
I am a huge ROD STEWART fan, I don't care who knows. Whew, ok, got that off my chest!
My sister is 30 years old, and she knows EVERY Justin Timberlake song, and I mean EVERY ONE OF THEM!!!
Oh yeah, I went there.
Credit for that belongs to the mighty Buddy Holly and the Crickets, and none other than The Beatles would back up my claim. Not only are they on record as being hugely influenced and inspired by Mssr. Holly and his Crickets musically, but they've also noted that said influence extends up to and and includes the very name of their band (as in, their choosing an insect for their band name was both inspired by, and in homage to, the Crickets).
Rave On.
- John
That man can pick out a bad note three miles away.
It's scary.
For me I've had a thing for Rick Springfield since I was 7 years old. I'm not ashamed to say I listen to him still. LOL And I've just recently heard that Rick Springfield will be appearing as Dr. Drake again on General Hospital for at least 4 episodes. Makes me happy. 56 years old he is and he's still HAWT!!! :)
Oh blind dates.
http://www.lightsplashed.com/photos/vesuvios.html
That being said, I'm more teeny-bopper now than I was back then. You called it, Britney AND Justin are on my workout mix.
Oh Who this takes me back to a time, where I pretended I was "jesses girl"