So one of my ongoing psychological experiments with the Young Carnivores involves basically brain-washing them into only liking good music. By good music, of course, I mean music I like. This translates to absolutely no Justin Bieber* or Miranda Cosgrove but lots and lots of 80s New Wave. Totally.
Here's the thing: we all do it. Our parents did it too. And eventually we couldn't stomach any more Sundays with Sinatra or whatever, and we dyed our hair pink and listened to too much Depeche Mode. Or was that just me?
Anyway, it's super fun. I know it won't last, and eventually they'll go all Alex P. Keaton on me. They'll find some music that speaks to them and to me it will be the sound of tiny trolls hammering nails into my spinal cord. (Sorry about all that Depeche Mode, Dad.) In the mean time, there is nothing so exquisite as watching my munchkins rock out to Blondie's Maria.
Our iPod does include some non-80s tunes. I don't want them to be social outcasts or anything. But if we're going to listen to "Single Ladies," we're also going to learn that Beyonce owes a little Respect to Aretha Franklin. And if we're going to listen to the Black Eyed Peas sing "I Got A Feeling" for the 30,000th time, it's going to be back-to-back with James Brown's I Got The Feeling.
This all leads to the nice people at iTunes making some really awesome recommendations for me. They're so right most of the time it's like they're in. my. head. And then they step over the line and it goes horribly awry:
Oh my gosh, iTunes, how did you know I would like The Knack? And Dexy's Midnight Runners? Yes, please. The Clash? iTunes, you're my new BFF.
Lady Gaga? OK, well, maybe ...
Lil Scrappy? Wait -- what?
Sorry iTunes, you totally got that one wrong. Yes, I just bought more Black Eyed Peas but Lil Scrappy sounds like that lame Scooby Doo spin-off. And that was just Bad 80s. So no thanks. I can't have my kids listening to Bad 80s. They have to listen to good music. You know, music I like.
*Cookie's reaction to seeing Justin Bieber perform on the Nick Kids' Choice Awards: "Meh. I'd rather listen to the Talking Heads." I just about burst into tears of happiness.
We are so TOTALLY on the same page. Love the post!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this post, I have decided that I am not doing enough to meld their minds to good music. My wife does have them more than I do, and they are more partial to "Mommy's music," although when I play Talking Heads and XTC my youngest says she likes it... You've inspired me!
ReplyDeleteYou? Are hilarious. While actually making a worthwhile point. As a mom of grown kids, and a teacher of wee ones, I can so relate. In fact, if I had known what blogging was 20 years ago, this is what I might have sounded like. You've given me my smile for the day.
ReplyDeleteYou hit just the right note of sarcasm. I always laugh at S*** My Dad Says, but I appreciate this blog more for it's lack of profanity.
@Bill, The Young Carnivores love, love, love XTC. Our fave album is Wasp Star. Just added several more songs from it onto our iPod. Had to rip from CD because it's inexplicably NOT on iTunes. (Another example of when iTunes goes wrong.)
ReplyDelete@60schic, wow! Thank you so much. I also love S*** My Dad Says. However, I've made it a challenge to myself as a writer to try to avoid using obscenities in this blog. I end up thinking "muttonhead" is funnier than a-hole, anyway.
ReplyDeleteRut Ro!
ReplyDeleteLOL
Good luck with the brainwashing.
Hey there! I found your site on the sit's community. It made me laugh becuse the brainwashing post reminded me of mine today, AND I found a link to "kids with depression". My daughter has been a challenge from day one with this. I needed your site today after a very frustraing yesterday.
ReplyDeleteAND if you just started your blog this week, how do you already have so many readers? You are doing great!
@Shmonae -- Thanks! I started my blog last week (Monday June 7). I am THRILLED with the response I'm getting. I'm fortunate that a lot of my friends have passed on the link. I've become a little obsessive about checking my stats on StatCounter, though!
ReplyDeletelove the post about opening these little minds to good music - a balancing act with the tunes around today... I agree completely! you're a riot!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. BTW, just found out Devo has a new CD out. Getting great reviews. Going to check it out!
ReplyDeleteCOOL! I am NOT the only Mom who does that to kids!! I told my daughter that if I had to listen to the Wiggles then she had to listen to my stuff. So the car rides had kid music then my 80's music then kid's music... then - she got to like my stuff more than the Wiggles.
ReplyDeleteAnd I was soooooo happy I did a dance of joy!! It was a splendid dance too!
M
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@middleagedcrazywoman, Yes, but was it The Safety Dance?
ReplyDeleteI wanted to let you know (as one who has vowed to give up my foul mouth) I GREATLY appreciate your effort to keep things clean. I have found that even though I don't 'speak' cursing, I still think it. I think that if I stop reading and watching it on TV, maybe my mind will let it go as well. Good luck, and keep up the good work.
ReplyDeletei subject my kids to Kings of Leon and White Stripes and Eric Clapton. however i cannot refuse them the chance to rock out (air guitar and The Robot included) to spongebob soundtracks.
ReplyDeleteMy daughters always insist on listening to the Ramones, my four year old asks for Sheena's a punk punk punk rocker. And she loves Rum and Coca-cola by the Andrew Sisters.
ReplyDeleteIt's all your fault ... I read one of your posts and now I keep watching "99 Luftballons" on YouTube (unless that was another blog I read...ah, memory loss). I should send you my bandwidth bill ... only I am hooked.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, as a parent, I knew I had "won" when I walked past my daughter's bedroom years ago (she's now 21) and heard the Mamas and Papas and the Beach Boys playing loudly. Ah such good taste my daughter had! She picked her parents well. But then, I am a child of the 60s - what are those 80s you keep talking about (well, OK, I know about the Luftballons)?