Snap, Crackle and Pop Culture
Being in Kyrgyzstan I have found that I’m pretty out of touch with American pop culture. Even though 50 cent and Shakira are ubiquitous here, I still miss out on quite a bit and I have already accepted the fact that I am going to be like a Martian when I get home. Maybe it’s just as well, I have seen the direction that music and movies are headed and I’m definitely not missing Reality TV. I cannot help but confer my thoughts on the current state of music. Well, maybe not current to you, but current to me. Without further ado, here is my 2006 Year-In-Music Review. If you’re not interested in music or know less than I do (highly unlikely) I suggest you skip this entry entirely.
Let’s start off with James Blunt. The only way I can describe listening to him is to compare it to watching a bad car accident: you know you should stop but you can’t seem to pull yourself away from the catastrophe. If his songs were travesties then he’d be a genius but I think he’s actually trying to be serious. Let’s review some lyrics from the song ‘Goodbye My Lover’- “I’ve kissed your lips I’ve held your hand, shared your dreams and shared your bed. I know you well, I know your smell, and I’m addicted to you.” I’m sorry- what? You know my smell? Is he kidding? I don’t know if it makes me want to laugh or cry but I find myself giggling uncontrollably when I listen to this song. Maybe because I know my smell and I can’t imagine anyone else would ever memorize it. Another good line is, “I’ve seen you cry, I’ve seen you smile, I’ve watched you sleeping for awhile, I’d be the father of your child.” Uh… creepy! Do people actually fall for this? Do girls actually think this is romantic? Am I the only one that finds this hilarious?? The only time I listen to his album is when I’m feeling down and I need a good laugh. It’s so unintentionally funny I almost think the joke is on us for taking him seriously.
I discovered my next selection on a Running Mix that my cousin sent me (thanks Linds!). Eminem’s new song ‘Shake That’ is misogynistic, derogatory, offensive, depreciating, and I absolutely love it. I can’t get enough of it. Besides having a good beat the lyrics are straight to the point. I can’t quote any lyrics here on my blog without some serious repercussions but I highly recommend this song. It not only sets a good pace when I run but I really do find it encouraging to “shake it”. This gem isn’t going anywhere for a while.
Moving on… the next song I heard over and over again at clubs in Turkey and it’s also very addicting- Madonna’s Hung Up. I was actually surprised to find out that’s she’s still alive but when I caught about 30 seconds of the video on Russian MTV it rendered me speechless. She looks younger than ever and she rocked that leotard like no one’s business! The video also teaches a very important lesson: Spandex is a privilege, not a right.
My brother sent me "Where'd you go" by Fort Minor. The lyrics first start off with, “Where’d you go? I miss you so. Seems like it’s been forever since you’ve been gone, please come back home.” When I first heard it, I almost teared up when I listened to how appropriate the words were. I thought it was so thoughtful until I remembered the source… my brother. I had guessed correctly that it was a complete accident and that he hadn’t intended to send it and he hadn’t even considered the lyrics. Coming from anyone else, it would have been the sweetest gesture but now the song is ruined for me. Too bad, it’s a pretty good song.
Lastly, Stadium Arcadium, the latest album by none other than Red Hot Chili Peppers, is seriously life changing. I have not one critique of any of the songs on either album. If anyone needs a good example of perfection, this is it. It’s unlike anything I’ve heard in a really long time and I can’t imagine hearing anything better in my lifetime. I know, I know, these are pretty strong words but I’ll stand by them. This is one of the most innovative, heartfelt, inspiring albums that I’ve ever heard. Brilliant.
The amount of bad music certainly outnumbers the good and I find it sad that most of America’s exports are from the former category. I am embarrassed for American culture when the radio here plays songs like “My Humps,” especially when my students ask me to translate the lyrics for them. I try to explain that it’s slang but they still want a literal translation. The other day my sister and I were listening to one of the European stations that gets broadcast here, I wasn’t really paying attention to the music but all of a sudden my sister got a quizzical look on her face and goes, “what’s a sex crime?” I cry for the future of pop music.
Let’s start off with James Blunt. The only way I can describe listening to him is to compare it to watching a bad car accident: you know you should stop but you can’t seem to pull yourself away from the catastrophe. If his songs were travesties then he’d be a genius but I think he’s actually trying to be serious. Let’s review some lyrics from the song ‘Goodbye My Lover’- “I’ve kissed your lips I’ve held your hand, shared your dreams and shared your bed. I know you well, I know your smell, and I’m addicted to you.” I’m sorry- what? You know my smell? Is he kidding? I don’t know if it makes me want to laugh or cry but I find myself giggling uncontrollably when I listen to this song. Maybe because I know my smell and I can’t imagine anyone else would ever memorize it. Another good line is, “I’ve seen you cry, I’ve seen you smile, I’ve watched you sleeping for awhile, I’d be the father of your child.” Uh… creepy! Do people actually fall for this? Do girls actually think this is romantic? Am I the only one that finds this hilarious?? The only time I listen to his album is when I’m feeling down and I need a good laugh. It’s so unintentionally funny I almost think the joke is on us for taking him seriously.
I discovered my next selection on a Running Mix that my cousin sent me (thanks Linds!). Eminem’s new song ‘Shake That’ is misogynistic, derogatory, offensive, depreciating, and I absolutely love it. I can’t get enough of it. Besides having a good beat the lyrics are straight to the point. I can’t quote any lyrics here on my blog without some serious repercussions but I highly recommend this song. It not only sets a good pace when I run but I really do find it encouraging to “shake it”. This gem isn’t going anywhere for a while.
Moving on… the next song I heard over and over again at clubs in Turkey and it’s also very addicting- Madonna’s Hung Up. I was actually surprised to find out that’s she’s still alive but when I caught about 30 seconds of the video on Russian MTV it rendered me speechless. She looks younger than ever and she rocked that leotard like no one’s business! The video also teaches a very important lesson: Spandex is a privilege, not a right.
My brother sent me "Where'd you go" by Fort Minor. The lyrics first start off with, “Where’d you go? I miss you so. Seems like it’s been forever since you’ve been gone, please come back home.” When I first heard it, I almost teared up when I listened to how appropriate the words were. I thought it was so thoughtful until I remembered the source… my brother. I had guessed correctly that it was a complete accident and that he hadn’t intended to send it and he hadn’t even considered the lyrics. Coming from anyone else, it would have been the sweetest gesture but now the song is ruined for me. Too bad, it’s a pretty good song.
Lastly, Stadium Arcadium, the latest album by none other than Red Hot Chili Peppers, is seriously life changing. I have not one critique of any of the songs on either album. If anyone needs a good example of perfection, this is it. It’s unlike anything I’ve heard in a really long time and I can’t imagine hearing anything better in my lifetime. I know, I know, these are pretty strong words but I’ll stand by them. This is one of the most innovative, heartfelt, inspiring albums that I’ve ever heard. Brilliant.
The amount of bad music certainly outnumbers the good and I find it sad that most of America’s exports are from the former category. I am embarrassed for American culture when the radio here plays songs like “My Humps,” especially when my students ask me to translate the lyrics for them. I try to explain that it’s slang but they still want a literal translation. The other day my sister and I were listening to one of the European stations that gets broadcast here, I wasn’t really paying attention to the music but all of a sudden my sister got a quizzical look on her face and goes, “what’s a sex crime?” I cry for the future of pop music.
posted by Katie P. at 11:20 PM
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