I quote... "I kissed a girl and I liked it" ... I feel like Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler on Weekend Update: "Really? You kissed a girl and you liked it? Really?" How is this music, what have we come to, the number one song according to Billboard.com's "Hot 100" chart is "I kissed a girl" by Katy Perry.. It's like the all the world has ADD and will listen to anything that is repetitive and upbeat. Yes, I know everyone can have their opinion (and yes I have been known to be a music snob "If I don't like it, it's crap") and through learning about methods of communication I am learning to respect that, but have we really gone this far?Not far down the list coming in at #3 in "Lollipop" by Lil Wayne. Why don't we take a look at some of these lyrics together, what do ya say?
"Shawty wanna thug, bottles in the club, shawty wanna hump and ooo I like to touch ya lovely lady lumps"
"Shawty said the ***** that she with aint ****, Shawty said the ***** that she with aint this, Shawty said the ***** that she with cant hit and shawty ima hit it (hit it) like I cant miss and I cant do this and I dont do that, Shawty needa a refund needa bring that ***** back, This typa refund; i tell her bring that *** back and she bring that *** back (she bring that *** back)"
Really? wow, I am speechless, I am without speech. What happened to singer songwriters writing about something that was important and made sense to the masses. People talked about things such as love, war and stories that everyone could relate to. Where have those times gone?
I can't help but laugh when I think of this scenario: Picture this, the artist walking into a room full of record executives or even friends and family and they say something along the lines of "Hey guys, I got this new single that I have put a lot of hard work and thought into and I hope you really like it." They push the play button, and the first thing these people hear are a girl yelling "I kissed a girl and I liked it" or some guy mumbling "her wanna lick the rapper, so I letta lick the rapper." Really?
I don't expect things to change, I don't expect singer songwriters to make a comeback. But I just want people to know that while they are entitled to their own opinions there is good music out there you just need to look for it and chances are you will not find it on mainstream radio.
so remember this one thought: Really? Listen to the lyrics of the songs you hear while you are driving to work or doing work and ask yourself "Really?"
Tim Keating Recommendations:
- Jason Mraz "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things"
- Dave Matthews Band "Remember Two Things"
- Donavon Frankenreiter "Self Titled"
- The Kooks "Konk"
- Red Hot Chili Peppers "By The Way"
These are only a few selections if you are in need of some good advice when it comes to Pop, Hip-Hop, Classic Rock or Country do not hesitate to drop me a line and I will give you some goodens to listen to.
