The Music Never Stops

The Music Never Stops

Man I’ve been busy this Summer. I haven’t posted anything in a month. What have I been doing? I’ve been listening to music. I love music. Music is great, but most modern music is just bonkers. For the most part, I think it’s a bunch o’ trash. I’m talking about the pop music songs that are overplayed on the radio. Most of the new stuff is ridiculous in my opinion.

I think the biggest problem with music today is the “competitive singing” phenomenon started by TV shows like NBC’s “The Voice”, “America’s Got Talent”, and “America’s Greatest Unknown Singers” (Is that a show?) Seriously, the show that started it all was the British guy who used to rip on the youngsters until they cried. What was it called again? Maybe “Idiot Surprise, the TV show”? Just kidding. No, it was “American Idol”.

The problem with competitive singing is the singers are doing it for the wrong reasons. They’re not doing it for the passion and beauty of singing moving music. They’re doing it to prove how great their voices are. In other words, they’re bragging with their voices. They should be singing a great song just because they want to make awesome music, to be used as art that may brighten up somebody’s day. Instead, they’re like, “Hey, listen to how crazy I can make my voice by changing octaves and in general, just being an annoying kid on the playground”. In sports terminology, it’s like Tom Brady trying to throw the prettiest deep ball. The deep ball was intercepted, but boy did it look pretty! Or, he could just throw solid passes underneath the coverage, moving his team down the field for the game-winning touchdown. Hmmmm, what should he do? Brady would score and win. These competitive singers are overthrowing their receivers. They don’t care about the beauty of the song. They care about showing off their arm, or in this case, their voice.

We lost something in this century when “American Idol” debuted in June 2002. Fronted by British critic Simon Cowell, this show aired on Fox for 15 seasons before calling it quits. Sure enough, ABC revived “Idol” and ran a 16th season that ended in May. Plus, a 17th season has been announced despite recording their lowest TV ratings ever this past Spring.

What does it all mean? Well, it means let’s celebrate the great music from years gone by. Check out this list of songs I compiled while listening this Summer (constantly listening) during my road trip vacation (Spoiler alert, a travelblog is coming soon!), while I ran with an IPod in hand, while I was sitting in the house trying to stay focused while reading since the wife and kids are always deviously distracting me, and while blasting party favorites as we sang and danced the night away.

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2018 Get Your Rock On! MUST-LISTEN-TO MUSIC!

• “Young Blood” by The Naked & Famous
• “Jacob’s Ladder” by Huey Lewis & The News
• “Coming of Age” by Foster the People
• “Flying” by The Samples
• “The Streets in the Rain” by The Samples
• “Love My Way” by The Psychedelic Furs
• “The Wild Kind” by Silversun Pickups
• “If You Were Here” by Thompson Twins
• “When You Close Your Eyes” by Night Ranger
• “Dirty Little Secret” by The All-American Rejects
• “Dance Inside” by The All-American Rejects
• “100 Miles & Runnin'” by N.W.A.
• “Shimmer” by Fuel
• “Hideaway” by Fuel
• “Humpty Dance” by Digital Underground (* JUST KIDDING! What a joke of a song! *)
• “Give to Live” by Van Halen
• “Take A Picture” by Filter
• “All Summer Long” by Kid Rock
• “Every Little Step” by Bobby Brown (extra credit for all “New jack swing” songs! Check out Bobby’s hilarious video.)

• let’s throw in “If It Isn’t Love” by New Edition (don’t make fun of me)
• “Buffalo Stance” by Neneh Cherry (how many people do you know that like “Buffalo Stance”?…… I know two. My neighbor does!……and me.)
• “Fader” by The Temper Trap
• “Epiphany” by Staind
• “Patience” by Guns N’ Roses
• “Adam’s Song” by Blink-182
• “Always” by Blink-182
• “After Midnight” by Blink-182
• “Stone in Love” by Journey
• “Set the Ray to Jerry” by Smashing Pumpkins
• “Tunnel of Love” by Bruce Springsteen
• “Little Red Corvette” by Prince
• “Purple Rain” by Prince
• “Lost Highway” by Bon Jovi
• “Bad” by U2
• “Boat Drinks” by Jimmy Buffett

The “Get Pumped, I’m Here To Pump (clap) You Up” Workout List

• “Stars” by Hum
• “I’d Like Your Hair Long” by Hum
• “Reinventing Your Exit” by Underoath
• “Would?” by Alice in Chains
• “Rocket Queen” by Guns N’ Roses
• “It’s So Easy” by Guns N’ Roses
• “You Could Be Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
• “Spitting Games” by Snow Patrol
• “Wide Eyes” by Local Natives
• “Afraid” by Motley Crue
• “Sweetness” by Jimmy Eat World

and Dutch Lion’s favorite song ever…….

“Boys of Summer” by Don Henley

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I hope I gave you some new songs for your own playlist. So listen & Enjoy!