Call Me Maybe – One of the catchiest songs in the past ten years…
This song follows Pop Music Hooks 101 – Rule #3: “When in doubt, add strings.” Now I am not exactly the target demographic for this song, but damn if it won’t get out of my head! I’m sure half the world is going to hate this thing in a couple of weeks, but right now? Yeah, it is stuck in Trent’s head.
Poor wittle innocent pop song:(
Some of you are probably asking yourselves: “Why the f*ck did Trent post about some teen pop song?” I love music, and always have. It affects me like little else, save reading and writing. It speaks to something primal in all of us, regardless of what particular type of music we listen to.
But mainly I wanted to write about something not quite so heavy. Don’t worry though – heavy and dark will be back very soon 
One of the first things I like to ask when I’m getting to know someone is what kind of music they like. Perhaps I am guilty of being a tad overanalytical, but I’ve always felt it gave me a tiny glimpse at what kind of person they might be. Now, that said, I make sure not to make generalizations or assumptions about people based on what they listen to. Taste is subjective. One man’s masterpiece is another man’s emetic.
What got me thinking about music was when I was going through my phone, updating the songs on it. Yes, I stream – a LOT (Pandora, I heart thee) – but I also buy quite a bit of music. All digital downloads of course; I am struggling to recall the last time I actually purchased a CD. And while I was updating my playlist, I was struck anew at the bat poop crazy range of music that is on my phone.
You’ll never hear me criticize the music others choose to listen to, mainly because for me to do so would be akin to the pot calling the kettle black. Perhaps there are others out there like me – maybe this is the new normal in an increasingly specialized and subdivided entertainment culture – but my musical tastes are…schizophrenic. You’ll find anything from metal to country, Debussy to Deftones. There’s New Age (yes, really), pop, gangsta rap, trance, trip hop, ambient, etc. There’s even a super trippy, long form yoga composition(!), complete with spoken word segments mentioning the stars – and I don’t even do yoga. The point is, I’m all over the place.
Now, my personal favorite band is TOOL. I can’t pick out a favorite song of theirs – there are just too many. I can narrow it down to a few though:
- Reflection – These guys managed to create a song that’s dark, serpentine, even thoughtful – and sneak in cool references to the story of Narcissus from Greek mythology. The fact that this song does all of this without being pretentious is simply amazing.
- Lateralus – The title track from their nearly flawless album released in 2001. This is one of my favorites due mainly to an incredible arrangement, complicated time signature and a stunning, soul-stirring finale. This song is eleven years old and it still gives me chills.
- 10,000 days – Wings for Marie (Part 2) – Written by lead singer Maynard James Keenan as a sort of elegy (no, I did NOT confuse this with ‘eulogy’) for his disabled mother following her death. It’s so powerful, so heartbreaking, and, ultimately, supremely uplifting. This is a moving, incredible gem of a song that will make you want to give your mom a huge hug.
There is a lot of other music I love, but I am boring you all at this point. I would really love to know what music you guys like to listen to, what moves you. Please feel free to comment, or send me an e-mail if that’s more comfortable for you. Until next time:)
Trent
Lol, I swear you must have been picking my brain when you wrote this. I too love all types of music, and usually attend Bonnaroo (a 4 day music & arts fest) every June, I wasn’t able to go this year. Last year I watched Buffalo Springfield, Loretta Lynn, Ray LaMontagne, Warren Haynes, and Eminem all in a 24 hr period.
But tonight I’ve been tortured by the song stuck in my head. Thanks to my kids, I have a song from a Nick show (Victorious) stuck in my head. I’ll admit it: I listened to 5 Fingers to the Face, on YouTube tonight…HELP???
Ah! A fellow music schizo! I feel better now, knowing it’s not just me
I’ll have to look up Bonnaroo…
My husband loves Tool. He brought me to see Perfect Circle many years ago. I am rocking on the songs you listed. Thanks. I needed some more inspiration.
APC is great too. A totally different spin on things as compared to TOOL but in it’s own way, really, really good. Billy C and Maynard make a great team, and I hope they decide to do some more in the future – without impacting TOOL releases (ahem).
Glad you liked the songs. I could have picked 7 or 8 more that I love, but it would have bored the shit out of everybody else
Wow Trent. This rocks. And I meant Thank you Trent. (slipping over here) I need to be beat so badly right now I can’t even tell you. Way over due.
This music is doing it for me. I need to be beat to this.
You need to ask your husband about what Danny Carey does with the drum set in Jambi (from 10000 Days). That guy can beat the hell out of a drum set.
Listening to it now. This would be nice to be beat to. We surprisingly enough don’t really get music going most days like I would like to. I don’t know why. Me being such a music person.
http://youtu.be/NNojdoI_D_M
I like the video to that song as reminds of book covers of 80′s Mills & Boon novels; yeah I read them also.
I also love every kind of music, but the one it get up everyone’s nose in my social circle is my love of country music; classic and new. they can’t understand it at all.
I’ve heard stories about these notorious Mills & Boon novels. Were they as over the top as I’ve been lead to believe?
You’ve got good taste Foxy! I love country too – also old and new. I’m the only dude my age (I’m not that old – yet) I know that likes both old school guys like Marty Robbins or Don Williams AND the new guys like Luke Bryan or Jason Aldean. If it’s good, it’s good.
One of my favorite bands is The Bravery. Maybe it’s the writer in me, but I am a stickler for good lyrics, so no matter the genre, that is a requirement.
I think I’ve only heard their song Believe. Do you have a particular favorite of theirs, or do you just like all of their stuff?