Mrs M
yoda76My Music is Outdated?
November 25th 2008 02:48
A couple of weeks ago I saw Def Leppard in concert. It’s been 16 years since Def Leppard has toured Australia. 16 years ago…1992. I was 18 and Def Leppard was living in the moment of their success.
16 years on…2008. I’m 34 and Def Leppard and I (as well as the rest of the crowd judging by the demographic) were re-living past moments. I can’t speak for Def Leppard but why was I there? Well Def Leppard were one of those bands I listened to incessantly as a teenager. Ah the teenage years…when time was aplenty and my identity yet to be cemented.
Like most, if not everybody, the music you listen to as a teenager stays with you for a lifetime. When I put on some of the 'old stuff' it’s a wonderful escape when the world of adulthood becomes all too confronting. For me, it’s like a step back in time when times were simpler….or they seem so now.
But why, when it comes to music, we seem to be suspended in time. I don’t listen to nearly as much new music as I used to. But then again, what I have heard just hasn’t captured my imagination. Have I changed that much that new music seems alien to me? Without doubt, I have changed and so has music. And that is a good thing. It would serve no purpose for either to remain static. But have music and I drifted apart?
Rock 'n' Roll was seen as young peoples music. But even Rock 'n' Roll has aged. So it's not just for the young.
Sure time has played a part. As has money. Unfortunately both are spent elsewhere. But what else happened? As a teenager I very much liked the ‘hair metal’ bands of the late 80’s, early 90’s. That was my thing. That seems like a very teenager type thing to do. I can only get away with singing “Youth Gone Wild” because I sung it in my youth. Can I be 34 and antiestablishment? Sure. But I’m hardly youth and youth is, more than not, associated with being antiestablishment.
Where am I going with all this? Can I get into My Chemical Romance’s “Teenagers” with as much fervor as I did “Youth Gone Wild’? I don’t think I could pull off the Emo thing as well as I did the pissed off ‘hair metal’ loving teenager. Emo is not for 30 year olds…is it?
What about The Who’s “My Generation”? That song was for the generation before mine but I certainly feel the sentiment. I don’t own the 60’s hippie movement but I feel I can champion the ideals of the time; a time before mine. But I don’t think I could champion Emo ideals; a time after mine. Even if I did agree with them, I would just look like an imposter.
Music is a curious thing. Music was the one popular culture element that I really connected with. Mr M on the other hand, really connected with film.
So while most will agree that the music we listen to as a teenager is probably the most influential of our lives….why can’t we move on with as much enthusiasm? Or is it just me?
Why is it that as we get older our tastes in popular culture change. We see different movies, read different books. I certainly won’t be going back in a hurry to read the books I read as a teenager…Sweet Valley High just doesn’t cut it for me anymore.
The identity I created, the ideals I identified with as a teenager are still with me. Maybe my approach is a little less “F**K YOU!” and a little more “f**k you…and how am I going to change what I don’t like”. I have to admit, I am a little more sensible these days.
So what am I saying here? For me, I am just as passionate about music now as I was as a teenager, but no-one has captured my imagination as much as when I was a teenager.
But on the flip side, I have definitely broadened my horizon on books, film, theatre and musicals.
What say you?
16 years on…2008. I’m 34 and Def Leppard and I (as well as the rest of the crowd judging by the demographic) were re-living past moments. I can’t speak for Def Leppard but why was I there? Well Def Leppard were one of those bands I listened to incessantly as a teenager. Ah the teenage years…when time was aplenty and my identity yet to be cemented.
Like most, if not everybody, the music you listen to as a teenager stays with you for a lifetime. When I put on some of the 'old stuff' it’s a wonderful escape when the world of adulthood becomes all too confronting. For me, it’s like a step back in time when times were simpler….or they seem so now.
But why, when it comes to music, we seem to be suspended in time. I don’t listen to nearly as much new music as I used to. But then again, what I have heard just hasn’t captured my imagination. Have I changed that much that new music seems alien to me? Without doubt, I have changed and so has music. And that is a good thing. It would serve no purpose for either to remain static. But have music and I drifted apart?
Rock 'n' Roll was seen as young peoples music. But even Rock 'n' Roll has aged. So it's not just for the young.
Sure time has played a part. As has money. Unfortunately both are spent elsewhere. But what else happened? As a teenager I very much liked the ‘hair metal’ bands of the late 80’s, early 90’s. That was my thing. That seems like a very teenager type thing to do. I can only get away with singing “Youth Gone Wild” because I sung it in my youth. Can I be 34 and antiestablishment? Sure. But I’m hardly youth and youth is, more than not, associated with being antiestablishment.
Where am I going with all this? Can I get into My Chemical Romance’s “Teenagers” with as much fervor as I did “Youth Gone Wild’? I don’t think I could pull off the Emo thing as well as I did the pissed off ‘hair metal’ loving teenager. Emo is not for 30 year olds…is it?
What about The Who’s “My Generation”? That song was for the generation before mine but I certainly feel the sentiment. I don’t own the 60’s hippie movement but I feel I can champion the ideals of the time; a time before mine. But I don’t think I could champion Emo ideals; a time after mine. Even if I did agree with them, I would just look like an imposter.
Music is a curious thing. Music was the one popular culture element that I really connected with. Mr M on the other hand, really connected with film.
So while most will agree that the music we listen to as a teenager is probably the most influential of our lives….why can’t we move on with as much enthusiasm? Or is it just me?
Why is it that as we get older our tastes in popular culture change. We see different movies, read different books. I certainly won’t be going back in a hurry to read the books I read as a teenager…Sweet Valley High just doesn’t cut it for me anymore.
The identity I created, the ideals I identified with as a teenager are still with me. Maybe my approach is a little less “F**K YOU!” and a little more “f**k you…and how am I going to change what I don’t like”. I have to admit, I am a little more sensible these days.
So what am I saying here? For me, I am just as passionate about music now as I was as a teenager, but no-one has captured my imagination as much as when I was a teenager.
But on the flip side, I have definitely broadened my horizon on books, film, theatre and musicals.
What say you?
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Comment by James Rickard
unlucky_ fishermen.com
Angling Fish
Comment by Anonymous
Then again they're probably still here.
L
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Yup.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Well then let's hope Jagger never bites the big one.
Hi L,
You're so sweet. You have such a fabulous memory. And yes, complete shush is still required.
Hi yoda,
And don't you forget it.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I seem to be similar. Most of my top 5 favourite bands haven't changed that much in 20 years. I've added favourites to my Top 10 but my core loves still remain: The Smiths, Depeche Mode, The Cure and Echo and the Bunnymen. I recently saw Paul Weller and was gleeful to see the average crowd age was about 45.
That's not to say I don't have other passionate musical loves, but I'm happy with my consistent faves.
As you said, my film and book tastes have changed but my music taste is slower. And I'm not complaining, it shows my loyalty
Comment by Sara Dobson
Love Mate
Parents Precinct
The Travel Map
My Turn
Pour Some Sugar on me - running through my head.
Comment by George
The Re-Parenting Revolution
I loved Def Leppard as a teen too! I was at the Pyromania tour in the States. I haven't even thought of their music in ages...Rock of Ages : )
Peace and Love,
George
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Because our hormones stopped raging and we took our fists out of the air?
I never made the transition either, although I did move onto new music, but certainly not the same kind I listened to as a teenager *cringe* To quote one fellow... this aint Rock and Roll, this is genocide! (Diamond Dogs/Bowie)... a far cry from todays peaceful ambient sounds of flutes, drums and flamenco guitars of a New Age.
Lilla ...
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Because our hormones stopped raging and we took our fists out of the air?
I never made the transition either, although I did move onto new music, but certainly not the same kind I listened to as a teenager *cringe* To quote one fellow... this aint Rock and Roll, this is genocide! (Diamond Dogs/Bowie)... a far cry from todays peaceful ambient sounds of flutes, drums and flamenco guitars of a New Age.
Lilla ...
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Most new music I dont 'get' and I find it sad...Im young enough to get in on Emo if I wish...But I dont. I think what keeps Kman and me home now is that we would look like the 'old losers' we used to tease.
Basically though, in terms of rebellion it comes down to this - we are all still rebels. We want to fight the man. But.....The older you get, the higher the fine. And thats it.
Kman and I went to the last Live concert. We saw the kids in the row in front of us smoking, and damn, did we want to....But we couldnt afford the fine. So screwin the man just becomes, "Yeah dude. My hands are up, ok?"
Lilla you better not be dissin the Bowie...I still rock out to him!
Comment by Janet Collins
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
Maybe it is not about age. It might be just that with a lot of things we get bored with the same things but there are always special somethings that will never bore us.
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Comment by yoda76
The Tube Blog
Sigur Ros and Bliss n Eso are good examples. I would have ever heard these guys, and they are now among my favourites.
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
A rather long afterthought :
Some would say that it is because children are the accumulation of addiction, I say otherwise.
The truth is that as your children grow and develop their own musical tastes; you will find a remergence of interest and take on some of the new sounds, almost echoing your own past? My daily exercise routine is now undertaken solely to songs my girls have introduced me to! By re~opening my mind thus; I have been led to new sounds which more clearly reflect my own age (many are artists I missed along the way), some new ones who better appreciate my need to kick back and chill these days! *lol* Nora Jones comes to mind as a fav new artist, and of course new songs and albums from those old rockers who wont die, or who live on in todays trend of remixes. Thre will always be my love of classical spanish guitar and such like, but nowadays i just love what the World Music Musos and Coffe Club soundz do to these tunes.
Which leads me back to my innate curiosity and a question for you Mrs M. Has anyone you know of ever remixed a Def Leopard song? Or perhaps turnede it into a heavier metalic version of the original? I cannot think of one?
As always, I have enjoyed the thoughts your posts always invoke.
Lilla ...
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
Whenever I get really jaded I know I can count on your posts to give me a lift..thanks!
Age made me more open-minded about music than I ever was as a teen or 20-something. I was a kid during the "classic rock" years of the 60s and 70s..and to be dead honest, no offense to anyone who loves that stuff, it bores me silly to hear now. Overkill from the classic rock craze, radio, and being a paid musician who always gets the same 10 requests, I suppose.
Except for Bowie. The man kept reinventing himself and his sound; the Stones, too.
Classic Funk, now--that's a whole different story. Love it, always have, always will!
As a 40-something musician, I'm into almost every genre of music from Perez Prado to The Reverend Horton Heat to Jimmy Reed to Lester Young. There are entire worlds of music out there I'd never heard before, written and performed before, during and after my time! An endless cornucopia of blues, jazz, rockabilly, funk, punk, latin, rock...it's a wonderful thing to have an open mind now.
In my thirties I fell in love with modern music again --with all of the new blood in the mid-90s, real musicians with real talent. (P.S., yeah, I still have that Live cd! Loved "I, Alone"!
Weezer, Counting Crows, Live, Better Than Ezra, Black Crowes, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Toadies, Collective Soul, Filter, Third Eye Blind, Hole, Alice in Chains, Green Day...just waves and waves of new, talented musicians and fresh sounds--but always paying tribute to the music their parents had listened to, like Kiss, Sly and the Family Stone, etc.
I was blown away when I saw Kurt Cobain and Nirvana playing "All Apologies" on MTV Unplugged....
..but then, >Boom<!! They all disappeared! Just dropped out of sight, replaced by creepy corporate acts-- sex kitten Lolita types, pretty-boy dancers who were triple-dubbed to sound like they could actually sing, and bad hip-hop. WTF???!! Was it the new millenium? Where did all of those musicians go?
Does anyone know??
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Paul Weller...you know I always liked The Jam and The Style Council but they weren't my favourites. In the last couple of years I've really started to take note and read up on Paul Weller. I'm playing catch up really.
Hi Sara,
One lump or two Sara?
Hi George,
I'm on a journey of rediscovery too
Hi Kleo,
You know it's funny you talk about fines. Remember when a slow song played and everyone would light their lighters? Well the Man stopped that from happening and now people use their mobile phones which just looks poxy.
But at Def Leppard, people broke out their lighters. It was a beautiful thing. I didn't have a lighter but I hear ya. Is it worth getting thrown out of the show and copping a fine just to light a lighter??? I don't know. We're not going soft are we?
Hi Janet,
I agree with you. When I'm looking for a pick me up I know exactly where to go. It's time as well. I don't have time to to try and find me a new pick me up. I already know what works....why change the formula.
Hi Lilla,
I think someone sampled Love Bites...I'll have to get back to you on that one.
I hear you on my children introducing me to new music. I hope my ears are open. To date that's been Mr M's job. Having said that I've introduced him to some old stuff that he's never heard of before. Just last night he heard Cream's Strange Brew for the first time.
I suppose my musical tastes don't vary. I listen to more varied music now, but the core remains. For example, I really like Nine in the Afternoon by Panic at the Disco. But this song is so very reminiscent of Sgt Peppers. Even the video clip has them all dressed up in costume.
Also, I studied Music and the Related Arts at school so I went through the mechanics of understanding Baroque, Classical, Romantic, etc but only now will I really listen to this music and enjoy it...more than ever before.
I have always found music fascinating. It has kept me company, helped me though bad times and enhanced good times.
I had a dream a few weeks ago that my house was broken into and the first thing I did was run to my CD cabinet to see if my CD's were stolen. My music collection is my autobiography.
My story isn't finished yet so I suppose my kids will influence where I go from here.
Hi D,
Alright music lover.
I went away with some friends a couple of weeks ago and we were at a bar where a guy was playing acoustic guitar and singing some tunes. My friend requested Sweet Home Alabama. The muso groaned and was worried that no-one wanted to hear it anymore. Begrudgingly he played it and most people in the bar enjoyed it but there were some who were just plain over it.
I go through cycles. 70's rock will bore me then I'm into it again. It could take a couple of years.
I'm really liking Kings of Leon's Sex On Fire. But again, the lead singer sounds like a lead singer from an Aussie group that was around in the 80's.
Where did the real muso's go? They'll be back D. Music goes in cycles.
I often ask why were The Beatles so big? What was it about them in 1962 that catapulted them into superstardom? Why did Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet become a mega hit in 1986/87? That whole hair metal thing had been happening for a while. Aerosmith released Permanent Vacation before Slippery, why didn't that album take off? Was Slippery musical genius or was it just right time for a change and Slippery was released. Aerosmith's follow up album Pump went through the roof. Was it riding on the hair metal wave that Slippery started or was it a better album than Permanent Vacation?
I have broadened my musical tastes but I'm still learning about all the stuff that has come before. So much music...so little time.
Also, one final thought. I stupidly, as a teenager, thought that as a teenager if I liked one specific genre of music then I couldn't possibly like another. Where was my loyalty? Luckily I got over that.
Have you seen the doco Metal? It's a fascinating watch.
Thanks all for the visit. You all stimulate my mind.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
"Sweet Home Alabama"....grooooaaannnnn.
There's a running joke, a "setlist ad nauseam" that every working musician will inevitably get requests for, and heartily detests playing (if they've been playing for a living)...
I was going to expound on that, but I think I'll make a post instead. Thanks Mrs. M.! You are always an inspiration.
That return of musicians--seems to be a 20-year cycle, and is definitely influenced by what the musos' parents were listening to when they were kids. You can bank on that.