"What kind of music do you like?"
Don't you hate being asked that? I think I'd find it easier to explain quantum mechanics than come up with a simple answer to that question. When I was about 14 I could just say (and I did) "I like ELO, Queen, and Elton John" which was as far as my taste went at that age but, like everything else in life, it's so much more complicated now. If I said "well, I like all sorts" (which is true) it would be too vague and noncommittal and I'd sound like one of those people who isn't all that bothered about music and only buy two albums a year, both of which are related to something they saw on the telly and were on sale at the supermarket. For a while I used to say "I like everything from the Sex Pistols to Frank Sinatra" which is more specific, also true on one level, and name-drops two acts with unimpeachable cred, but I don't really like everything on the imaginary spectrum between those two and sorting out who I do and don't would take all bloody day, by which time the person who asked the question would have left the room or fallen asleep. If I was a real ponce I could reference Miles Davis' quote about there being only two types of music — good and bad — and say "I like GOOD music" but I think I'd want to punch myself in the face if I ever said anything as smarmy as that.
But what I think annoys me the most about the question is the assumption that a person's taste can be reduced to a single "kind" — and even if it could wouldn't you hate to be that person?
So next time someone does ask me I think I'll just sing this song to them.
Download: Music - John Miles (mp3)
(For those that don't know this was a big UK hit in 1976)
9 Comments:
if you sing them that i'd wear a lot of protection if i were you
x
Wow. Thanks Lee - I was just thinking of this song last night (as an extension to your Chris Rainbow post). I was a big Alan Parsons fan back in High School, and I do have John Miles' Sympathy and Miles High on LP (both of which are pretty forgettable). HOWEVER - could never get my hands on Rebel. My sister's boyfriend did manage to pick up a cut-out of the Rebel LP. Lucky bastard. Worked in a record store though.
"Dear Brian" was a big hit at music club (for theme 2 - songs that reference another artist). Thanks for posting - you have pretty impeccable taste in GOOD music.
Cheers -
George
Also - I think Highfly might have got some radio play over here. Either that, or it was one of the last UK singles I remember before emigrating. A bit less saccharine than music (which is still a great song). I remember my sister's boyfriend being very impressed at the tempo of Music (maybe 9:8 time, or something like that).
geo
I've started saying 'Oh, stuff you hate' in response to that question, but that's just because I'm (clearly) becoming a grumpy old man.
I thought this might be an unpopular choice of song. The lyric is a bit saccharine but it's a great production piece - I like it when it goes all 'Pearl & Dean'. It's an Alan Parsons production, isn't it? John contributed vocals to 'Tales of Mystery and Imagination' (oops, my prog roots are showing).
I saw John Miles live twice in the late 70s. John Mellencamp was the support as Johnny Cougar in one of the shows. Used to love 'Stanger In The City' LP.
Yes an increasingly difficult question to answer. Nowadays my response to the question is "all sorts really, mostly stuff you will never have heard of" which immediately makes me sound like a music snob. That is partially true, as is my answer. Same as you, in my teens it was quite easy really (Bowie, Roxy, Elton John, Steely Dan - and Motown I guess). I have been thinking more lately about why I am drawn to a piece of music but the answer remains somewhat elusive - it’s like trying to hold onto an eel. My current thinking is that lyrics are of no great importance, neither does the music have to be technically clever, but - hence the title of my blog - I simply have to be able to feel it (whatever that means! – it doesn't explain anything really, just stating the obvious?).
I can take or leave John Miles, I love “Rhiannon”, and that Smiths track DavyH has just featured has great lyrics. The lyrics are an important part of why I like The Jam too so that is in direct contradiction to what I said above. Damn, I’ve dropped that eel again!
Can you not just shoot them for being difficult where you live?
One word answer nowadays - Morrissey.
It kills the conversation as the person asking the question immediately decides I have weird tastes not worth following-up. Or if its a Morrissey fan asking the question they will smile knowing there's so much that could be but doesn't have to said....
Worst question ever. 'The good stuff' usually shuts people up.
Post a Comment
<< Home