This song seems oddly appropriate today:
There was some hoopla last week about it being the anniversary of Woodstock and all. So I am reminded, and I am appreciating artists like the ones above. I also submit The Band, Sly and The Family Stone and whomever (!) from that day and age when music was wonderful, magical and REAL in contrast to some of the current popular music. I am considering all of this because I (finally?) heard a song this week called "Low" by Flo Rida and T- Pain, and let me just say, Pooh-pooh!
Why did I finally hear it, and how did I even come across it, living in my insulated Christian world? Because one of my 4 year old charges this week, looked at me with sweet seriousness over the lunch table, and asked, "Ms. 'EB', do you like the song Sweet Home Alabama?" "Sure, honey," I said. "Doesn't everybody?" I thought to myself, though that song was not exactly a favorite since it's tired from over-play on the radio.
Actually, I can't think of that song without recalling a warning from my my long-haired, heavy metal loving high school boyfriend of eons (not ages) ago. He said that was the only classic rock song you could crank up and not get your *bahookie* (he used another word) kicked in the small Central Florida town where we attended high school. It was a very country town back then, and he with his shaggy long hair and me with my punkability (G. K. coined it back then) we were not well received by a majority of our classmates. So it seemed at the time. But I'm digressing...
Anyway, back to "Low" and the kid from my class. This sweet-faced little cherub-rascal went on to recite some of the opening lines to the song the "Sweet Home Alabama" and then he quickly asked me a follow up question. He asked me if like the "Apple Bottom Jeans" song? And he sang some of it. "Apple Bottom Jeans*, boots with the fur*, the whole club was lookin' at her..." Having never heard it, I googled. All I can say is, "Rap stinks."
Actually that isn't true. There is some good, creative rap out there. "Low" is a catchy song, but the lyrics go from PG to R to X and it BOTHERS me. There is nothing left to the imagination anymore. That is the problem I see with most Hip-hop music in general. Sure there are dirty and gritty songs in all genres of popular music, but in my opinion, modern (not old-school) rap and hip-hop are dirty almost ALL the time. Forget double entendres, or even vague and thinly veiled mature or graphic content. We live in a p*rn saturated world, and we've come a long way since the Beatles wanted to hold your hand and even those old devils the Rolling Stones wanted to spend the night together. Sigh. Rant over, stepping off the soapbox.
* a brand name
*Uggs, perhaps?
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