For most of my adult life, since first being subjected to, quite literally, 'music free commercial marathons' on New York City radio in the late 1980s, I've opted out as a radio listener.
To me, there is nothing -- no thing -- more grating, like nails on a chalkboard or through the skull, than a shouting, hyped-up radio ad. Annoyingly crass, too often unfunny, always talking too fast and demanding I hear ... There has been, and remains, no single thing that will make me move quicker to turn off or unplug an inaminate object, than an obnoxious and overlong music- and energy-sucking commercial on non-public radio.
Inasmuch, society's "hits" have never meant anything to me. I couldn't say thirty years ago what you, as a kid, were 'dancing' to; I certainly can't tell you now.
Wait, that's untrue. In fact, I'm "hipper" today ... better informed musically, from a societal (or "Top 40") perspective, than I was in that era when U2, Whitney Houston, Roxette and Lisa Lisa -- and Crazy Eddie -- all shared the airwaves and vied for attention.
This, of course, has as much to do with social media, as it does the little "rugrat" vying for my attention (guilelessly bopping now to One Republic :) ... not only the Internet, but the prevalence of Things. Music -- news, weather, awareness in general -- seep in today, more than they ever were able to.
Today then, is a forced content (non-"on demand"), overly ad-serving platform like radio even necessary?
Along these lines ... Should anybody really be surprised about Beck winning Grammys in 2015? Be asking, even jokily -- like Kanye stalking forth to claim "his" prize (for Beyonce!) -- "Who the fuck is Beck?"?
You know who Beck is! Even you, little "Rugrat" ... Inconceivable back when Beck was 'losing', you're old enough now for 'lost' worlds to seep in ... You should add a Republic! A Direction or two! Become multi- ... Span generations. Expand.
And above all, learn ...
And above all, learn ...
to respect artistry.
