Posted in: Musicouching by Ms. Reality on August 17th, 2010 | 4 Comments
50 years ago, bands like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and many others changed the way people thought about music. If these same bands tried to break into the industry today, they’d be hard pressed to find an opening.
Ever notice how when you turn on the “popular” radio station in the car and drive somewhere for an hour you’ll hear the same 10-15 songs on repeat? And it’d be one thing if these songs were good, but they’re just not. Now I hate to be a traitor to my generation, but hip hop SUCKS. I can’t relate to the lyrics, I can’t sing along, and to me, the whole point of music is to make me feel something…anything..and that stuff just doesn’t cut it.
Last week I went to a Something Corporate concert in NYC. Most of you are probably wondering who the heck is Something Corporate? The lead singer, Andrew McMahon has a very successful side band called Jack’s Mannequin that you might be familiar with, but even they are not considered mainstream. Something Corporate had a reunion tour this summer and played together for the first time in 10 years. The band started when the singers were just in high school in California, and even though their music has never made it to the radio, and they’ve been dormant for the last decade, they still managed to sell out at the Roseland Ballroom in NYC. How? you may ask, when 9.5/10 people on the street have never even heard of them…it’s simple, their music inspires feeling. It has brilliant melodies, moving lyrics and evokes feelings from the listener that stirs memories of the past and dreams for the future.
During the concert, McMahon got a little choked up by the response from the audience every time they played. While he said it’s been a long time dream of his to have his songs on the radio, it’s still a gift to have such a following. That’s when I got to thinking how could these songs that have so much heart and amazing messages not make it on the radio but songs like “I love the way you lie” by Rhianna and Eminem make it. The song’s main focus is on a seriously disturbing and abusive relationship. For example, one of Eminem’s rap lyrics include: “If she ever tries to f****** leave again Im’a tie her to the bed and set this house on fire” Nice message for teens to be listening to.
Look, I know I sound like a 75 year old grandma, but I’m really not. And yes, I like the occasional rap song, but that’s ALL that’s on the radio. I do think hip-ho[p has a place in our society, and it’s in dance clubs. But even when I go out, the most fun I have is when clubs play old songs like Journey and Bon Jovi. Underground bands like Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin have lyrics and style similar to that of the Beatles and it really does make me wonder if these bands were trying to break in to the business today, if they would fail. I just feel that the music industry is to focused on one genre of music right now and they have to give other bands and new sounds a chance.
Here’s a music video from Something Corporate’s “I Woke Up In a Car” Give it a chance, check it out!
STFU August 26th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
First of all, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones are BRITISH. They have nothing whatsoever to do with American music.
Secondly, how can you say a song like ‘Love the Way You Lie’ has no feeling in it when you contradict that with the quote you use a second later?
Thirdly, ‘I do think hip-ho[p has a place in our society, and it’s in dance clubs’. That’s a stupid sentence if ever I’ve read one.
Ms. Reality August 28th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
I’m sorry you feel that way STFU…even though the Beatles and Rolling Stones are British, they had (and still have) a HUGE impact on music in America. I don’t like the message “Love the way you lie” portrays..this article is my opinion, it’s not fact, I’m sorry you disagree with it, but that different opinions make the world go round! Thanks for stopping by…have a GREAAAAAAT day!
Serenity October 23rd, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Iam most def. jumpin’ on wat Reality is talking about with this music!! STFU…did u really read wat was said in Reality’s article? Obviously NOT? (”Nice message for teens to be listening to”) was meant as a bit of sarcasim!! Today’s music really doesn’t have any feelin’…WAT THE HELL R THEY TALKIN’ ABOUT? HOW CAN U EVEN DANCE TO THAT CRAP? Im a 70’s baby…grew up on pioneers like..RUN DMC..SALT & PEPPA, KOOL MO’ DEE, SLICK RICK THE RULER..at least u can bob ur head to that music…and feel good after listenin’…But after listenin’ to the CRAP OF TODAY..make u wanna go shoot somebody…or shoot urself!! Most underground music and artist don’t even stand a change…I quess society doesn’t want to hear anything meaningful!! I make it my business to purchase some local artist stuff….
take care and be safe.
peace and blessings
Orlando January 13th, 2011 at 12:02 am
First off, what you hear in the radio isn’t really Hip Hop. It’s called Rap music. There’s a difference, Hip Hop is a subculture. If you read about Hip Hop culture, it has nothing to do with sex, guns, gangsters, violence, and the like. Hip Hop is an artistic culture that promotes nonviolence and positive lifestyle. Rap is associated with Hip Hop since it is part of the culture. Hip Hop/Rap is about trying to get by in life and Rap music is just about showing off. Hip Hop/Rap is not the same as Rap music. The type of trash they play in the radio these days are Rap, Gangsta Rap, Rap/R&B hybrid, and elecronic pop. These days, it’s really worth listening to alternative or indie songs. I myself listen to a variety of 50s up to 90s music genres from rock, pop, funk, jazz, soul, rhythm and blues, etc. Real R&B is good (Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye) and some of today’s contemporary R&B (Alicia Keys, Joe, Maze, Avant, you’ll find that there good modern R&B if you look for the right ones). The ones played in the mainstream such Pop/R&B and Rap/R&B are rather trashy. Other stuff to look into are Electronic Dance such House, Techno, and Trance, if you have a taste in electronic and dance music, they are rather enjoyable to listen to compared to what’s played in the mainstream. Alternative Rock is good too.