Kids these days…
Apr 18th, 2007 by Tony
You guys know how I like to rant. Well recently I was reminded of a rant I had probably 3 or 4 years ago…
It started as a group of us were tailgating before a Sooner football game. Someone brought up a topic that was mentioned on the Animal earlier in the week (The Sports Animal, the name of the sports talk radio station in Norman.) All of us immediately knew what he was talking about. I don’t remember who said it, but we were all thinking “When did we start listening exclusively to talk radio?”
I know I was the one who said “Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I cant listen to anything else… the music on the radio is HORRIBLE.” This sparked a conversation that I have rehashed before, and will mention again here:
I am, officially, old.
And it all started with that simple comment. Because taking that comment, you could use a different phrase which has the same meaning, and we’ve all heard it before. “Kids today don’t know what music is. All I hear is noise! When I was growing up; now THAT was good music.”
And that’s exactly how I felt. I still feel that way. Maybe I’m just listening to the wrong stations.
I think the truth probably lies somewhere in between. I firmly believe music that I would enjoy is still being made. I just got the new Chili Peppers double album and its pretty good. But the problem lies in the “Top 40” music. (Do they even call it Top 40 anymore?) I can’t think of many songs that aren’t rehashed, stolen beats, remakes, or just flat horrible. I don’t have the time or desire to describe what has happened to hip hop; the music that I actually would consider my preferred. But to me there’s a big difference in the story-telling of the Wu and singing about jewelry or spelling words over and over.
Which brings me to what reminded me of this topic. Seeing this video (below) and thinking that Alanis Morissette agrees with me. This cover of “My Humps” destroys Fergie and everything she stands for. I stand and applaud, and I don’t even like Alanis. Now she needs to tackle about a dozen other bands who could be even worse…
Enjoy.
Td
ETA: To agree with a comment, this song below IS difficult to listen to, especially when you’re forced to listen to the words.
Well that was certainly interesting. I found it rather difficult to listen to just as I did the original song. I agree that there is not much good out there but sometimes you have to listen a little further into the song to appreciate it.
Often times I find I will appreciate a song more for what it says, but not so much the music. And sometimes I just like an upbeat tune that may lift my mood but not like the words. Does that make any sense? Anyway, I enjoyed reading your rant about “Kids these days.” THanks for sharing!
Chris
You have been tagged. I was tagged by Paris at Inky Art http://inkyart.blogspot.com/index.html. It’s a fun little game and I wanted you to know that I really enjoy your blog!
Hi…you have been tagged!
http://stampinwhenican.blogspot.com/2007/04/okim-it.html
Hi…you have not been tagged.
I’m Matt. Melissa’s husband. She’s a stamper. She saw your post on your wife’s blog about kids these days and how they are bereft of the Wu, and she thought I’d enjoy reading it. Naturally, I agree. I’m at least happy that the Wu seems to keeping the legacy alive, perhaps you had the chance to pick up Ghosts’ Fishscale or INS’ The Movement. (It’s sure to move your feet, like a gun in a club) or perhaps the Wu-Tang Clan & Friends: Unreleased, or Wu Tang Meets the Indie Culture. My favorite track on that one is with RA the Rugged Man and J-Live (half famous for being unknown).
I’ve found pandora.com to be invaluable as a source of music. There’s also a very good rap show that you can stream from The Current (Minnesota Public Radio…seriously), or you can at least check their playlist. The show is Redefinition Radio and its on saturday nights or you can stream it from The Current’s website. Also try rhymesayers.com.
Kids these days. It’s like torture, m****************.
I guess I’m REALLY old. I prefer the music from the 50’s and early 60’s. Of course my parents thought it was awful, I thought the music my kids listened to was awful, and the music my grandkids listen to is downright horrible. I appreciated listening to your “rant”….didn’t care much for the song though. LOL
I am only 27 but I agree that alot of music these days are just noise. Thats why I listen to country and christian these days! Thansk for sharing the video, I enjoyed it.
I loved it. I already saw the video and giggled my way through it. Nice little slam indeed. But…I’m 46 and am a closet listener of today’s music. (Don’t tell my husband and kids.) I really appreciate the raw sound of a lot of music out there such as Linkin’ Park. Go figure, I grew up on Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith and assumed by the time I was this age I would be doing elevator music. But there is alot of good music out there and Pandora.com is there for whatever mood I’m in. (hopefully it will continue…congress willing!)
Thanks for sharing the video.