February 4, 2008
-
I’M COOLER THAN YOU BECAUSE I LISTEN TO “CRADLE OF FILTH” AND YOU DON’T
I have a confession to make. I despise people who think they are superior to other people because of their taste in music. I first ran into this type of person when I was a music major in college. These were the guys who would stay after music theory class and endlessly debate the subtle nuances in the styles of various 20th century composers. They would roll their eyes and display intense pity if some poor student declared that they liked something the other students had determined was passé. These people are pompous weenies.
After graduating from college I discovered people who act the same way about their tastes in popular music. These people are also pompous weenies.
One of my favorite movies of all times is “High Fidelity” with John Cusack and Jack Black. Oddly enough, the reason for this may be that their two characters epitomize the type of people who make me want to beat my head against the wall. When John Cusack asks Jack Black who his musical influences are and he replies “you wouldn’t recognize them, they’re mostly German” I’m suddenly back in music school listening to the theory geeks posture all over again.
Music is an intensely personal thing. Most of us identify most closely with the music of our youth. My high school and college years were in the 70’s so I still enjoy Credence Clearwater, the Eagles, Iron Butterfly, etc. In fact, I once caused my father to go into a near homicidal rage because I played “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” 37 times in a row. I did not grow up in the era of rap music so most rap music makes me want to put a bullet in my head. However, there are millions of people who do like rap and that’s OK (just please pull your pants up.)
I’ve noticed a trend recently in books, blogs, movies, etc. where more and more esoteric pop-culture references are made while the writers wink at their audiences with smug self righteousness because of their obvious coolness and disdain for the masses. I don’t know if this is a marketing ploy, or if people have no other means of pumping up their self esteem, but the trend pisses me off.
All I can say is (and I can’t stress this enough) these people are pompous weenies.
My theory is; if you like it, listen to it. I don’t care if your favorite album is “Mister Rogers Sings the Blues,” if it floats your boat, I’m cool with that. I’ve also found my musical tastes changing over the years. For example, as a teenager I would have never listened to Johnny Cash because my friends didn’t like him and my father did. Now I find that I’m fascinated by his voice. It’s kind of shame I missed out on years of enjoying his music because of what other people thought.
My son bought me an IPOD and loaded it down with music he thought I might like or would enjoy being exposed too. I hadn’t heard 80% of it before and I’m like a kid in a candy store nibbling at all of it. Most of it I like, some of it I don’t, but I’m not letting my peers or any music critic tell me what to enjoy.
I referenced “Cradle of Filth” in the title because it’s a band one of our former foster children listened too. I didn’t care for the music, but you’ve got to admit, that’s a great name. I hope to someday start a rock band called “Discernibly Turgid.”
So…enjoy what you enjoy, hate what you hate, it’s all good.
However, if you ever found boy bands to be irritating, you’ll get a kick out of this…
Comments (18)
Yeah, people like that make my stomach a bit queasy. Having said that, though, it does sadden me and irks me a little when I see people with no interest whatsoever in listening to anything other than what’s on the radio, for example. People that, even if you try to make an effort to expose them to a little bit of something different, are completely indifferent to it. It’s like you said, peers and the media have such force unfortunately. When I was a kid, I listened to what Mtv played, and my older sister/cousin listened to. By the time I discovered Metallica in the 7th grade, my ears were opened to a whole new world of music, and I never again cared about what anyone else listened to, or what the media tried to shove down our collective throats. By mid high school, I was into Jazz, Funk, classic R&B, Afro-Cuban music, Reggae, Blues, Classical and Death Metal. Can you say eclectic?
Unfortunately I can’t listen to your music because I am at work, but I agree. I absolutely HATE when people judge me for my opinions. I was just talking about this yesterday about a friend who belittles the movies I watch. She is into the movies that have peoples heads getting cut off and fun stuff like that. I prefer to kick back and watch a Disney or a chick-flick with my kids. She was really knocking me for that. As with music too, I listen to everything from Amazing Grace to AC/DC…whether they like it or not! It drives me nuts when people try to impress their tastes of things onto me. Oh well…to each his own.
charming anecdote related to this entry.
witty remark.
…
punchline that makes you laugh out loud, and the guy in the cubicle next to you looks at you funny.
-colleen
So… I’m ok - You’re ok! Ok?
While I agree with you in principle, I do have to draw the line at Mr. Rogers Sings the Blues.
Great post. I too can’t stand the pompus weenies you refered to in your post.
I am usually asked what kind of music I listen to and all I can say is that I listen to what I like. That ranges from 50′s, 60′s, 70′s, 80′s, 90′s and a few bands or songs from bands around now days. I tend to enjoy music that effects me in different ways no matter were it comes from. However in all I am a classic rock kind of girl. Although my dad will be happy to know that I don’t listen to Alice Cooper no wear near as much as I use to.
However, I doubt the pompus weenies will stop their antics anytime soon.
Illyria
So glad to see an entry from you. I look forward to downloading Discernibly Turgid’s first album. Probably illegally.
I am decidedly out of witty words today, so I will only say, I agree and where’s the webcam?
I’ve heard good things about Discernably Tugid’s album.. But personally, I like what I hear from The Flaming Weasels. They have an awesome bass player.
Great post, Mark. The lead singer’s voice sounds like Paul Simon to me. Maybe I have just listened to too much Paul Simon. Is there such a thing?
The only thing my mom ever listened to was Elvis, and my dad was obsessed with Johnny Cash. I grew up predjudiced against both because who wants to listen to what your parents listen to, right? Now I can appreciate their music. I listen to almost everything, but I do draw the line at rap. I just can’t get into it. This is good song you’ve got on here. I’ve never heard it before, but now I will have to check them out.
Amen…I’ve got a thing for Donnie Osmond now that I’m 51…couldn’t stand him when I was young
I also despise book snobs for the same reasons….
Totally agree!! YOU ROCK!!!
Smiles!
Excellent post !! Well, for a CCR fan.
Guess me and Trotta109 must be way too cool… we like Manilow! LOL
I’m still giggling over your band name…..
Hahahahahaha! I picked a good day to visit. Really needed the smile.
Boy bands make my skin crawl – maybe its the tight t-shirts. I’m bigger on rugby players LOL
Just passing through and stopped to read – then I laughed -then I had to get a kleenex and make my husband read this. You have a wicked sense of humor and we enjoyed it.