Pop music

As I was driving home today, my iPod shuffled up some 80's tunes that got me thinking about popular music and me.  (BTW - it was "Private Life" by Oingo Boingo and then "This Time" by INXS - two really great singing as loud as possible in the car songs).

Popular music was a huge part of my upbringing.  However, looking at the artists that were selected by my parents, and then older sister, I'm not sure how I became "me" with my tastes...or it makes great sense.  Doo-wop tunes like "Sh"boom", the Kingston Trio, Barbara Streisand.  (and I wonder why I gravitated towards metal.  Sheesh.  Couldn't see that one coming!)

I think everyone will look at the music of their youth, and teens and see that as the best music ever.  Its when we discover music that we like, helps shape our identity, creates friendships, reminds us of loves gained and lost, and even that part time job scooping frozen yogurt.  

What's funny about me is I started with the hard stuff (Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Judas Priest) but still made room for the rock of the 80's (anything on KROQ, Devo, Depeche Mode, Flock of Seagulls, INXS, Boingo, and virtually anything being shown on MTV in its heyday - why doesn't MTV rename itself RTV, reality television???)  Those two camps alone seem to be at odds with themselves.  Hair bands, finger-less gloves, shouting at the devil versus skinny ties, day-glo, and ironically bands to be id'ed by their odd hair.  Yet, I heard it, loved it all, and paved the way for whatever I chose to take in.

When I was a full time private music teacher in Chicago, while getting to know my students, I would ask what they were listening to for fun.  Although hoping to hear some names of trombonists, the artists mentioned seemed vaguely familiar to me only because I read them once or twice in Rolling Stone while flipping pages towards the blatantly left-slanted journalism that I love so much!  Every now and then, there might be some common ground, but as soon as I tried to have a conversation about Korn with Michael, and his mowhawk, the weird old-guy trying to be cool vibe kicked in, and it didn't go anywhere.

I'm convinced that kids today owe their cool music a round of thanks to those that came before it.  I see the 80's as a birthing ground for music of today.  Granted, 80's music can look back at 70's music and say the same thing, which I will not deny.  I just want credit damnit!  As a child of 80's music, I would like to think that the time and money I spent on my music meant something to where we are today...which is where, by the way?

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today's blog post was written accompanied by the following random tracks:

-Alpine Symphony: 21. Night, Chicago Symphony, Daniel Barenboim conductor

-Groovin' High - Airmen of Note "Legacy"

-5 Months, 2 Weeks, 2 Days - Louis Prima "Collectors Series"

-Main Title from "Shakespeare in Love" - Cincinnati Pops, "Mega Movies", Erich Kunzel conductor

-Artistry Jumps - Stan Kenton, "The Best of Stan Kenton"

-Blank Page - Smashing Pumpkins "Adore"