Ever go to a party and try to have a conversation with a stranger about the music playing, only to discover you've been trapped by the dreaded Rock Snob? That's the guy who will only listen to a band if he's one of their 10 fans. He criticizes you for not knowing more about quality music, but of course if you and 10 of your friends actually start to listen to said band, he will accuse them of having sold out.
I am never that guy, and that is one of the many reasons you should talk to me at a party (another is that I know where the good liquor is and probably a good bit of dirt on the hostess). At worst, I will throw out some dancefloor oddity at you. For the most part, I am an unabashed fan of pointless catchy pop music. This music is the sort that, when you're driving and you hear it on the radio, you know the words but you don't know why. Many people would hide this behind something more intellectual, but I put mine right out there on the shelf (though admittedly, I own two Spice Girls CDs that I won't allow to be seen).
So anyway, not that anyone cares, I started putting together a little list hoping to stir some debate in the comments section. After finishing the list of my favorite pop songs (leaving off a handful of classics from the 60s by Dusty Springfield and the Mamas and the Papas), I realized something.
DAMMIT, WHEN THE HELL DID I GET THIS OLD?!
With the exception of #11, all of them were recorded at least 15-20 years ago! Am I listening to oldies? WTF?!
1. "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)" by Dead or Alive
2. "Bizarre Love Triangle" by New Order
3. "Rock Lobster" by the B-52s
4. "How Soon Is Now" by the Smiths
5. "Suedehead" by Morrissey
6. "Being Boring" by the Pet Shop Boys
7. "Venus" by Bananarama
8. "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?" by Culture Club
9. "Invisible" by Alison Moyet
10. "Like a Prayer" by Madonna
11. "Believe" by Cher
I think I will just go back into denial and convince myself that aside from Cher, no one has recorded anything good since 1989.
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5 comments:
HI, Christopher.
You feel old?
Heck, I know only two of those songs on your list, and I am not sure I have actually heard them as opposed to simply having heard their titles. :-) (The ones by Cher and Madonna).
Of course, I stopped listening with intention to pop music more than 20 years ago, so that may account for it, but since that decision was an adult decision, I am back where I started from: feeling old.
best,
David Brown (from MediumGreen)
As someone whose musical tastes are stuck in the 80s, I can't argue with your picks - in fact, I have three of them on my IPod right now (and God bless ya for including Alison Moyet). How about sticking a Blondie song on there (Dreaming, Rapture, One Way or Another - take your pick). Prince would have to be on my perfect pop song list, too -- maybe 1999 or Kiss. And I'd have to include the Go-Go's Head over Heels, just because it's one of the few songs I can play halfway well on my guitar (you don't find too many complicated chords in a Go-Go's song, you know).
Ahhhh, David, you are missing the sheer joy of useless silly sweetness! Of course, some would say the same of me. A friend begged me to listen to some awful hot mess by James Blunt who I understand is the new hot thing. I considered suing him for the intentional infliction of emotional distress.
And Jim, I love love love the GoGos and Blondie! Before I bought my iPod, I made a compilation of my fave 80s music for road trips, and it turned into 5 CDs of about 80+ songs. I even own The Best of Frankie Goes to Hollywood. I have no shame.
Hey Christopher!
Have you been tapping into my CD collection? Sounds likew your taste in music and mine are right up the same alley! Whenever someone needs to find an 80's or Disco song they come running to search thru my CD collection!
Wow - I think you're my twin separated at birth. Most of my friends know that I have a deep love of cheesy pop for which I make no apologies - I'm glad to find another mo who is willing to admit the same. To prove this point, I'm listening to All That She Wants by Ace of Base at this moment, after finishing the Roxette CD that was playing minutes ago. Rock on brother!
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