Something I haven’t done it a long time is listen to new music from the first song to the last, in it’s entirety without skipping a song or putting the music down halfway through. I got on my bike and completed a 23 km spin, all the while listening to the latest offering of one of my favorite bands. I got out of the habit of doing this because I’m not a patient person. I get bored easily and I was always so busy with moving onto the next thing. “I’ve got no time for this!! What’s next?! Where too?!”
The music in question was the latest offering by U2. I’m a fan of theirs but if I’m to be 100% honest here, my interest in their music has waned over the last decade or so. I haven’t much liked some of their more recent stuff, liking their older stuff way better. At least I will always have the classic U2, and because I’m being totally honest, if I were to keep seeing them in concert (4 times now, yes I know, not as much as others) I’d most likely go to just hear the classics.
My schedule has been pretty crazy over the last 2 years and somehow I stopped listening to music. I always have it on in the car, but at home, not so much. It never used to be like this. Then all of a sudden I rediscovered music all over again. I cleaned up my iPod, downloaded a bunch of more music and reflected on memories that the music brought back to me. When I hear an old song it never fails to take me back where that song was significant at that point in my life. It’s an understatement to say that songs can carry a lot of emotion. Some songs have the ability to hit home just a little to close. Very surreal.
A few things I have learned about my music tastes. I will never understand Rush, Tori Amos, Bjork, Kim Mitchell, Nicki Minaj or County Music. They have all done great things and deserve to be where they are, but I just can’t get into them. Yes, I tried.
I also will never understand boy bands. I was in junior high when New Kids on the Block came out and I think I was the only girl who didn’t drool over them. I was too busy rocking out to Inxs and Bon Jovi. Same goes for Back Street Boys and that other one with Justin Timberlake (I can never remember their name) I will also never get the likes of Brittany Spears, Jessica Simpson and any other bubble gum sugar pop tartlet. Are they selling a song or they selling sex? I’m not saying they aren’t talented, but what their talent is comes into question.
Bon Jovi, whatever happened to them? Last I heard they had stormed up the country music charts. What the hell? Did they not used to be rock? I’m so disappointed. I guess Jon Bon Jovi is too busy buying football teams. Then there’s the bands that didn’t fair well from the leap into the millennium from the ’90s. Def Leppard and Van Halen come to mind.
I remember the first musician that caught my attention. Good ole Micheal Jackson. This was around the time that Thriller came out and I remember my brother got me a poster of MJ that was as big as my bedroom door!! The question remains about Micheal, did he or didn’t he enjoy little boys too much. Either way, it was such a sad thing to see how he seemed to slip into crazy a little more each year before he died. He was incredible talented. Pure waste. At least his music will live on.
Michael Hutchence, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse, all great artists and all gone way too soon. I wonder what they would think of the music scene now? Especially Kurt Cobain and Micheal Hutchence with the invention of iPods and music downloads.
I think that some bands will surface but won’t truly be appreciated until one is older. Nirvana, Green Day and Red Hot Chili Peppers come to mind for me. I really like the Blues, especially the likes of Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughn (true tragedy he died when his plane crashed) and of course BB King. I’ve also gotten into the likes of Miles Davis, Diana Krall and Frank Sinatra. As for rock, The Black Keys and The Sheepdogs are on heavy rotation at my house. I also like a lot of classic rock; The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Doors, The Guess Who, Pink Floyd, and Queen among others.
Another important music era for me was the last part of the 90’s. Alanis Morissette, Our Lady Peace, Radio Head, Garbage, Lenny Kravitz, Oasis, I Mother Earth, Smashing Pumpkins, Econoline Crush, The Tragically Hip, Sarah Mclachlan, The Verve. I’m sure there are many more, but those ones stand out the most for me.
We can’t forget about the the 80’s music scene. I was never into the hair metal bands like so many others. I was a kid during that decade but I remember liking Tears For Fears, The Eurythmics, Cory Hart, Tina Turner, Simple Minds, Tiffany, Debbie Gibson, Cyndi Lauper and of course Madonna.
Speaking of Cyndi Lauper and Madonna, from what I can remember, they both came out around the same time and there were debates which artist would have longevity and remain on top. All bets were on Cyndi. Not so in the end. She sorta faded away. Although active, it was nowhere close to what Madonna achieved (another one of my favorite musicians) FYI, I dressed up as both for Halloween. When I was Cyndi, I received more candy. Hmm.
Then there’s the musicians that have so much talent but have wasted it on foolishness. I’m sure to them, it hasn’t been a waste. I wonder though if they ever regret their actions. I’m talking about Sinead O’Conner, Lauryn Hill and Fiona Apple. How the fall from grace must be painful. And can someone please tell Elton John, Billy Joel and Phil Collins to please stay away from Disney??!! Yuck. No, not a big fan of Disney. I left that back with my childhood thank-you very much. Then you have the artists that have gone just plain stupid, yes I’m talking about you Justin Bieber.
As I write this post, I’m true to my word and have music playing on shuffle. I was never lucky enough to have the desire to learn how to play a musical instrument. Even now, if I had the desire, I have no idea what I’d pick. Maybe the drums because then I could do a lot of smashing. Until next time. I’m off to find that next song.