Friday, October 26, 2007
Music Hogs
Time to talk about music hogs on The Music Blog. I guess it doesn't matter if this post kind of rambles, since this blog hides in the dusty corners of my site... since I don't go to shows as often as I used to... and many of the ones I've been to lately weren't so great...
But I digress. I actually thought to write this post because in the recent past I've been pleasantly surprised by people willing to share their music choices.
When Miranda and I were in Barcelona, we came upon a cool dress shop. While Miranda was making her selection, something caught her ear and she asked the salesperson what was playing. He was more than happy to go through the mess of wires and connections to find out for her, which I thought was really sweet.
When I was back in New York, spending my last few days there enjoying parts of town I should have just moved to (LES and SoHo), I wandered into a boutique run by some French people. "Think Twice" by Ralph Myerz was playing, and I know that's who it was because when I asked the salesperson what was on, she went to her iPod and wrote down the artist and title of the song on a slip of paper and gave it to me.
I think my surprise at such kindness can be attributed to the many music hogs I've endured as a teenager and young adult. You know what I'm talking about. You'll be in the car with a friend and a good song will play from a mix cd she made. You say, "Hey, I really like this track. Who is this?" And she'll reply, "Oh, I don't know..." and trail off or change the subject. Or you'll ask, "Where did you find the such-and-such single?" And she'll say something like, "I don't really remember..."
If you don't know what I'm talking about, then lucky you. But for those who do know what I'm talking about, please take a moment to commiserate with me.
WHAT THE FUCK? You don't remember? You made the damn tape, you bought the damn cd, you engaged in some kind of action to obtain the music and put it in the stereo. Maybe your level of caring wasn't of the highest order, but you had to be somewhat intersted in the music in order to want to play it. Come ON.
A semi-recent conversation with a friend revealed that she was indeed a music hog. Whenever she discovered a new band, she never wanted to tell anyone. Her excuse was that she grew up in rural Iowa and needed something to call hers. Even though I feel sorry for her, that doesn't seem like a good enough reason.
No one should "own" music. This was a line in a movie that was made in the pre-Napster days. Before I ever thought that such rapid, free-for-all music swapping could ever be possible, I totally agreed. Everyone should be able to listen to everything. You shouldn't try to place ownership on sound. Sure, you should always give credit to the people who made it and never try to pass it off as your own. And yes, it's understandable that people want to own types of medium to hold and play their music. But that's not what I'm talking about (and you know it!).
If you love music so much, why be a music hog? Why not take the compliment that someone appreciates your taste enough to want to share it with you? Be proud of your music and enjoy it for what it is. Don't concern yourself with how many other people like it and whether or not they're "worthy". (On that note, keep in mind that just because you listen to a particular band or heard of them first, you are not any more "worthy" nor does it mean you like the band to any greater degree than anyone else.)
In short, don't be a music hog! Love your sounds, share your sounds. Then you can love that other people are loving your sounds with you. And while I'm at it, PLUR.
