What Hurts The Most

I try to be respectful of other people’s music taste, even if it means responding to their comments with a straight face and maybe a slight nod of the head.  I find that with most music that I don’t like, I at least can understand the appeal.  I get why people like Ed Sheeran but that doesn’t mean that I like him (because I don’t). 

What really grinds my gears when it comes to music conversations is when people speak objectively about music when it is not an objective topic.  For example, I would say:

“I really like ‘Water Under the Bridge’ by Adele.”

Instead of saying:

“’Water Under the Bridge’ by Adele is a good song.”

Why would I phrase it one way instead of the other?  Because who knows if “Water Under the Bridge” is an objectively good song.  A lot of people enjoy Adele and she received great praise for this album, but that really has no bearing on whether the song is a masterpiece. 

People often talk about music in this objective manner.  “The Weekend is amazing.” Wrong!  You think The Weekend is amazing.  That is your opinion.  It is not the absolute truth.  How do I know it isn’t?  Because I think The Weekend is a waste of sound.  But I would not say he is a waste of sound; I would say, “I think he is.”

When you speak so definitively about music, it sends a message that you are not open to a discussion.   It says that you don’t want to hear any other thoughts on the matter.  That what you think of [insert band or musician here] is the end-all-be-all and the case is closed.

But for us music lovers, we want to talk about music.  We want to explain what we think and hear what others think, even if we have differing opinions.  Music changes and opinions change.  I used to hate Taylor Swift, but now . . . .

Ok, bad example.

We all experience music differently and feel differently and that is what is so amazing about music and that we can have so many genres and collaborations and remixes and side projects.  There is so much to say.  But when I am talking to someone and they say “Vampire Weekend is the best,” I get frustrated.  Because a) no one has proved that they are the best (when they do, let me know), and b) that person clearly is not open to a counter argument.

I always try to be very clear that what I am saying is my opinion, not absolute.  I love Skillet’s “Feel Invincible.”  That means others can hate it, or love it, it’s a free country (for now).

In light of this topic, I have decided to include a list of my least favorite songs.  These are songs that others may enjoy very much.  But, when I hear them, an eye roll is soon to follow.  Feel free to enjoy (or not).

01.  “1234” Feist

02.  “Float On” Modest Mouse

03.  “Bad Blood” Taylor Swift 

04.  “Moves Like Jagger” Maroon 5

05.  “How Bizarre” OMC

06.  “Time After Time” Cyndi Lauper

07.  “California Gurls” Katy Perry

08.  “Young Folks” Peter Bjorn and John

09.  “Too Close” Next

10.  “They Long To Be (Clsoe To You)” Carpenters

11.  “Love Shack” The B-52’s

12.  “Jump On It” Sir Mix-A-Lot (or “Apache” The Sugarhill Gang)

13.  “Sex With Me” Rihanna

14.  “Here It Goes Again” OK Go

15.  “ABC” The Jackson 5

16.  “Trap Queen” Fetty Wap

17.  “All Star” Smash Mouth

18.  “Groove Is In The Heart” Deee-Lite

19.  “The Lazy Song” Bruno Mars

20.  “Fuck You” CeeLo Green

21.  “Every Morning” Sugar Ray

22.  “Domino” Jessie J

23.  “What I Got” Sublime

24.  “Jaded” Aerosmith

25.  “My Sweet Lord” George Harrison

26.  “The Way You Move” Outkast

27.  “Call Me Maybe” Carly Rae Jepsen