Late last week, I had the following status updates on Facebook:
I swear that is a true fact. Even though I’d been hearing about Lady Gaga for a couple of years, I had never knowingly heard her music. Then Pete decided to download some of her stuff and my Gagaginity was lost forever.
I figured that the girls had not heard Lady Gaga either. I figured wrong.
It turns out that the P.E. teachers at Graceful’s school play music while the students are exercising. Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift — someone else whose music I’ve never heard — are on the repertoire.
After getting some serious shit from people — including my mother, I might add — for having never heard The Gaga before the other night, I changed my status update to this:
At which point, I got even more grief from my so-called friends on Facebook. I don’t know, between that and the Canadian taunting over yesterday’s Olympic hockey game, I’m starting to wonder if there’s any difference between my friends and not-so-friends.
[To my Canuck friends: I'm just razzing you.]
So continuing my current streak of painful confessions, I guess we should talk about music.
[Actually, I don't find this confession to be particularly painful, as I've made no secret that I'm not hip or anything, so why should music be excluded from this?]
I don’t listen to the radio.
There, I said it.
I used to. For years, I had an hour-long commute to work, so I listened to the radio for two hours a day. But then car stereo CD players were invented and I never looked back. I keep a stack of CDs in both cars and listen to them to the exclusion of the radios, neither of which I’ve ever listened to.
At home, I don’t listen to the radio either. Oh sure, I’ve thought about putting one in the kitchen so that I can listen to the news in the morning, but that’s one of those thoughts that might take me months or years to act on, even though there’s a perfectly good radio somewhere in the Man Cave.
So how have I stayed minimally current with my music?
In a word: Pete.
If it weren’t for him, I’m pretty sure I’d be stuck in about 1997, which is when I stopped listening to the radio. You know, the year that MMMBop was so big.
For example, U2 played here last fall and Muse opened for them. I’d never heard of Muse, much less their music. Pete hadn’t either, but he loved the way they sounded at the concert and soon was the owner of a couple of albums, which he then played over and over at home. During this time, I started out threatening to smash his CDs and ended up liking about 50% of their stuff. (The other 50% I loathe, because it reminds me of Rush. And we all know how I feel about Rush.)
So, because of Pete, I now listen to Fountains of Wayne, Death Cab for Cutie, Air, the Chemical Brothers, Jem, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
But, because of my daughters, I’m probably going to soon know more about Taylor Swift and who-knows-who-else than I ever wanted to know. This is probably karmic retribution for the Madonna, Janet Jackson, and Duran Duran that I inflicted on my parents 25 years ago.
So what about the rest of you? Do you listen to the radio? Are you Top 4o people? What kind of music do you prefer?
BTW, two years ago today, Green Girl and I launched Eco Women: Protectors of the Planet. We’ll be celebrating all week and giving away prizes every day.
I go through stages of CDs and Top 40 radio or NPR in the car.
Taylor Swift has some good sing-along songs, mostly about teenagers and first love. I would suggest not exposing the girls to Lady Gaga videos….way too much explaining to do. I LOVE PINK!
When I listen to CDs, there are mix CDs of some of my favorites and some of my daughter’s favorites, otherwise it’s Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Norah Jones, Celtic Thunder, Ingrid Michaelson, Eva Cassidy…all the stuff I never hear on the radio.
You aren’t alone!
I don’t listen to Top 40 at all anymore. It’s so processed…so autotuned. No one seems to play an instrument and if they do, they play three chords.
When I look into the background of the artists I like most, I see people who studied music. They seem to delight in playing…any genre, any style, any instrument. They also tend to be influenced by classic rock and jazz.
As an aside, one of those groups once had Jay-Z guest on stage with them when they played in NYC. My boyfriend, who has similar taste in music, was at the show and had no idea who the guy was. I was proud of him.
I listen to the radio in the car — classic rock. Or else my kids play whatever is on their iPods…I have no idea who’s who.
I listen to the radio all day at work. Our radio stations change based on our mood. But it’s usually one of the “lite” rock stations.
In the car we listen to the iPod. Either my audiobooks (by myself), or the stuff I don’t mind a 3 year old hearing. His favorites right now are Owl City Fireflies and Miley’s Party in the USA. (Really? You’re 3. You’re too young for Miley.) In the car with hubby it’s top 40.
My personal choices would make me seem old. Mostly I rock out the Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Michael Buble. *hangs head in shame*
But I have a fair amount of country (NOT Taylor Swift. *gag*), hip hop, top 40, and every other genre you can name. Hubby and I both love music and aren’t very picky, so our collection is pretty decent.
When the kids aren’t around you should watch this:
(Christopher Walken performing Gaga’s poker face.)
I mostly listen to CBC1 in the car on the way to work/way home from work. The closest I can describe it is that it’s kind of like NPR, but has a lot of local focus, since I listen to CBC Ottawa. At work I listen to a station that plays a lot of 80s music.
Though lately I haven’t been listening to too much radio as I’ve been glued to the Olympics on TV and watching Canada win at hockey. (hint: stick and puck: hockey. White ball with black spots: soccer)
I have a love-hate relationship with the radio. I do like contemporary/pop music for the most part but can’t stand the “radio personalities”. That’s an oxymoron for sure!
I like to listen to music and talk about it with my boys–10 and almost 14. I honestly almost fell over when they both professed to love a Taylor Swift song (really????). We’re more Green Day/U2/Oasis fans than the sappy stuff but who knows?
I do have the NPR/music debate in my head every time I’m in the car alone and it depends on my mood which one wins.
Top 40 usually sends me screaming from the room. Pete has very good taste, though!
We listen to the radio very rarely these days. Mostly because Toby FREAKS out if they start advertising (this is my son, who can’t stand the 2 seconds between songs on CDs.) Also because the music on the radio seems … skanky… and all boring and lame. I think I’ve only heard one GaGa song but I did not approve. And I hate Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift and all the teenyboppers.
I loved Muse before it was cool. I loved them before America even knew who they were. But yes, their music can be hit or miss. I really don’t like their Black Holes and Revelations album, but I love The Resistance (their newest) and Absolution. Love. Toby adores them too actually.
Don’t get me wrong, we are music freaks in this household. We just mostly listen to our CDs in the car and to my iPod in the mornings. And sometimes, rarely, to NPR because I want to find out the traffic and then am too lazy to switch stations. Oh and on Saturday nights we listen to Showtunes Saturday Night which I love. But that’s about it.
Hahahaha. Yes this is Karma from 25 years ago. I wouldn’t be too concerned about Taylor Swift. Gaga for the kids isn’t cool considering that I know what she is saying – Poker Face and Bad Romance aren’t kid friendly. I’m a little shocked that Pete and your mom know who she is.
Jen,
I am with you….First CD’s and then the fabulous invention of the IPOD….I haven’t listened to the Radio…since I can’t remember when. Lady GaGa or as I like to call her Lady CaCa…she makes my ears bleed…..I have two daughters that love to listen to her just to watch the pain on my face…..I agree with you on the Karma thing…listening to Madonna, Duran Duran, Depeche Mode…..ohhh the 80′s nothing like it.
As one of your friends that gave you shit, I apologize and hope you know it was just good natured teasing. Your taste in music has no effect of me whatsoever.
I was more incredulous that you hadn’t heard her (or Tayolor’s) music simply because they were everywhere last year. All over the the internet, all over tv, all over magazines. And even if you don’t listen to top 40, I’m sure it was playing in one store or another while you were shopping. I know many more artists than I listen to for these reasons alone. Same with young actors…I would have no idea who they were otherwise.
And I haven’t listened to the radio in years. We have XM in the house & cars, and I hear everything from there.
I used to listen to the radio everyday when I commuted to college and then drove to work. Now that I haven’t had/needed a car in the past 6 years, I don’t listen to it at all.
I feel really out of the loop with what’s current. I do know who Lady Gaga is though
I listen to the radio, but not to music. I get bored with music unless it’s music I really like and even that bores me sometimes. When I am exercising, I want to be distracted from the hideous task of working out and music won’t do it, so I listen to talk radio, both conservative and liberal, which has the added benefit of increasing my heart rate, which I theorize burns more calories without my having to do additional work.
At home, I just want it to be quiet.
Nope, no top 40 here. I know of Swift and Gaga from People magazine. I’m from another century, myself. I like music that was popular in the 30′s and 40′s, standards they call them. And so my CD’s are Michael Buble and Frank Sinatra singing the same songs, love Eva Cassidy, anything Chet Baker (THE MAN), and Ella Fitzgerald. I like old James Taylor and original Beatles when I’m in a retro mood. Radio is usually on to NPR/talk. I know AC/DC, U2, etc because of my son, but would put on Rosemary Clooney first in a heartbeat!
I have one word for you, honey. Pandora. It will change your life and the way you listen to music. Check it out.
I don’t exactly listen to the radio, but to XM radio, and channel 44, which is New Wave, and all old stuff, not new stuff. But I do love a few Lady Gaga songs that I was told to listen to by a friend!
Music is my life. Sadly. I do listen to the radio. But only on the way back and forth to work (15 minute commute) which is enough to stay current since they repeat so. damn. much. Big fan of 80s, 90s country and, right now, am loving Gaga and Snow Patrol.
I PANDORA, but only sometimes and only at work. Can’t in the car, a 7-minute commute, so no opportunity there. And I have toddlers at home, ’nuff said.
I stopped listening to popular music in 1971, and I remember the moment and song exactly: I was driving down High Street in Columbus, Ohio, and American Pie came on the radio. I LOVED it. But for some reason I drifted from the radio then, and popular music. As regards your “music” (?), that was my daughter’s, too, and I always felt kind of sorry for her. You poor kids.
Jenny
I have an eclectic blend of music in my house – from Taylor Swift and country to rap, and – yes – even Nordic Roots.
We’re a strange lot.
I listen to music of all kinds. My iPhone is loaded with everything from the Beatles to Lady Gaga with a smattering of everything else in between. Sometimes, a little top 40 is good for making your booty shake.
I’m a sucker for Jay-Z, Rhianna, Lady Gaga anything with a good beat and catchy lyrics….This week’s Top 40 or last year’s one hit wonder. Not a fan of Taylor Swift or that Fireflies group, though. My iPod is a mish mash of everything…Culture Club, Johnny Cash, Echo and the Bunnymen, The GoGo’s, Eminem, CCR, Hall and Oates, etc. plus all of today’s stuff (love sharing the iTunes account with my 12 year old…I get to glom on to his music of the moment without spending MY gift cards…)
I almost never listen to the radio. When I do, it’s usually in the car and it’s the NPR/jazz & blues station. So, no Top 40 for me.
I listen to my iPod when I work out or walk or commute by bus. My iPod work out mix has mostly 80s & 90s stuff like Fat Boy Slim and C + C Music Factory and Technotronic to get my booty moving.
My friend Tim used to keep me apprised of the coolest music, but it’s been years since he’s hooked me up. JR and Troy Skott popped my Gaga cherry in mid-January, so you are far from alone, sister.
I listen to music in the van, and it’s usually top 40 (partially to appease the girls, but I like most of it). If it’s just me in the van, then a Broadway CD is usually playing.
I channel surf in the van when I’m by myself but when the Kid’s along for the ride he has his iPod plugged in.
I have way more exposure to Hip-Hop than I think is neccessary but I have to admit that some of it isn’t bad.
I despise top 40. I almost exclusively listen to NPR or my own CDs. Radio makes me cringe.
My music muse is my 17 year-old son. He listens to everything including: George Harrison, Electric Light Orchestra, Bob Marley, Tupac, System of a Down, Chevelle, The Shins, and more. I run into his room when he is not looking and look at his playlists (because he accuses me of stealing his music and gets mad).
I hate top 40.