In music, what are my Top5 guilty pleasures? Hmmmmmmm.......
What is it about an artist/band that would cause you to classify them as a guilty pleasure? The topic arose a while back as my brother, Frank (shoutout)and I were driving home from Fort Worth listening to some great music on my Sirius/XM radio. After an hour of listening to the All Elvis Channel (ch.18), my brother managed to flip the dial without receiving a verbal lashing. The sweet melody of "Mona Lisas and Madhatters" played on the radio. "Good song," Frank said. "Great song," I concurred. We both agreed that we should leave the dial on this Elton John classic. Moments later, the question arose that has inspired me to Jive for the first time on my website. My brother stated that he considered Elton John somewhat of a guilty pleasure. I completely disagreed."Why so?", he asked. At that time I couldn't come up with a satisfying answer. So here we are, weeks later and I have decided to list some guidelines to follow when trying to decide if your liking of an artist/band should constitute some feelings of guilt. And here...we...go...
It is more than likely a guilty pleasure if:
-The artist in question competed on American Idol
-The artist's music is very popular among teenagers
-The artist does not write their own songs
-Their brand of country music is extremely popular in Nashville, Tennessee
-If you are somewhat embarassed to admit you like the artist
It is more than likely not a guilty pleasure if:
- The artist in question has been inducted into the Rock n'Roll Hall of Fame
- Their music has been featured prominently in Cameron Crowe or Martin Scorsese Movies
- The artist writes their own songs
- They refuse to allow their music to be used in commercials
Of course there are exceptions to every rule. "Like a Rock" was used by Chevrolet for years and years. But, do I consider Bob Seger to be a guilty pleasure? No, I don't. John Mellencamp...absolutely not. However, if an artist refuses to sell their music to big corporations, there is a very good chance that their music is bonafide.
A few days after the issue was first brought up, a friend asked me if I would feel a little uncomfortable playing an Alanis Morissette album while hanging out with my buddies. I told him that I wouldn't, stating that her international debut album, "Jagged Little Pill", was one of the greatest albums of the 90's. However, I was not the best person to be asked the question, being that in the past, I've had no shame in rockin' out to "Mambo No. 5" while running on the treadmill. But I could see his point. Here we had a beastly, bulging, high school football coach that probobly showers with Lava soap, admitting that he would feel a little uncomfortable playing Alanis' music in a room full of dudes. I definately see his point. As much as I might disagree with his hesitation in playing her album in public, I cannot deny that "embarassment" is definately featured in my criteria above.
So in conclusion, I hope that you find my personal guidelines helpful in deciding if you should readily admit to being a fan of one's music. I suppose it's time for me to do just that.
So...in music, what are my Top5 guilty pleasures?
5. Big and Rich - Ouch. That kinda hurt to admit.
4. Kid Rock - He borrows famous guitar riffs, shamelessly name-drops, and makes music for the sole purpose of selling records. I dig it...just don't feel good about it.
3.Toby Keith - This is a controversial entry for sure. When trying to decide if he qualifies, think of "I Wanna Talk About Me."
2. Andrew W.K. - Party Hard!
1. Shania Twain - Guilty as Charged
Now it's your turn to confess. No worries,we're all friends here.
Until next time...
Demand Satisfaction,
CWC
