Sunday, August 21, 2011

Culebra harbor from our hotel room P.R.

 
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Puerto Rico

 
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Saturday, August 20, 2011

Skanky Songs

I know I feel like I'm an old fogie when I hear the lyrics of some current pop songs and cringe, because I'm being no better than Ed Sullivan hiding Elvis's hips or telling the Doors to change their lyrics, really. Truly I'm glad I live in a country where you are not jailed for criticizing the president or simply playing a certain kind of music. These artists have every right to sing about anything they want.

"Last Friday Night" by Katy Perry is a great example, it's an extremely catchy and well-produced tune that is heard night and day on tons of radio stations night and day. Only problem is the lyrics; they extoll binge drinking, casual sex with multiple strangers, unspecified illegal activity, and on and on. Then at the end Katy says she's going to "do it all again, THIS Friday night." And the listener is sure she will, because "Last Friday Night" "ruled."

No doubt the song is merely reflecting what is actually going on, and has for many years, but it just makes you wonder how many impressionable teenagers will decide to follow the blueprint, even subconsciously. But crashing into someone drunk does not "rule," nor all the things that can go drastically wrong. I guess they'll figure that out on their own.

The other song out there that is cringe-worthy is also a very good one, it's "S & M" by Rhianna, who is a piece of work by all definitions. She's bellowing "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but whips and chains excite me." Then she chants "S, S, S, S M, M, M, M." That's a long ways from "I Want To Hold Your Hand."

I'm sure the youth of today will survive just fine, it's just the notion that this stuff is programming them that is unsettling.

For local bands from Richmond, check out www.rockitz.net