There's nothing like watching the top music video countdown on VH1 to bring about a slew of youthful memories. The veejays aren't the same and to my dismay, "Barbie Girl" isn't in the Top 10 anymore (or probably the top 1,000 for that matter).
We never had cable when I was a kid. Then my dad moved in with a woman who did have cable when I was 12, but she had a block on MTV/VH1 because her son had been living with her and she didn't want him exposed to that "trash." It wasn't a big deal to me; you can't really miss something you've never had. But when we (dad, Sherry, and I) moved to a rural area, those channels came standard with the package and dad never saw the need to block it out. It was then that I discovered the realm of music television.
Every day after school I would come home and watch "My So-Called Life," followed by the music countdown. I got really hooked, really quick. I also got up early to watch "CardioVideo" before I went to school. That started when I was about 15; it was about three years ago that I phased out of the stage and started opting for Law and Order and Sex and the City. Oh yeah, and Game Show Network. Man, I had a thing for GSN one summer.
Anyway. The point here is, I haven't watched MTV/VH1 in a looong time. It was odd this morning that I woke up with the urge to watch the video countdown, but I'm glad I did. I learned a few things:
1. There's more substance to videos than there used to be. Or maybe there always has been and I just never recognized it in the ignorance of my youth. Or maybe I am just able to identify more now after being "trained" to look for certain elements. I don't know, but some of these videos have distinctly strong messages. And I didn't get the impression that it's all about semi-naked fly girls like in the era of Snoop and Dre. (But I still love their music.)
2. Names have changed. Yes, the veejays have changed. But so have the bands! I couldn't believe I'd never heard of some of them. I also never thought I'd see the day when Fat Joe and Ricky Martin would hook up. I don't even remember the name of the song now, but I LIKE IT!
3. Political messages are soooo evident in these videos. (See #1.)
4. I'm old. 'Nuff said.
Miscellaneous notes:
Dave Matthews STILL ROCKS!
I can't believe Mariah Carey is still around. And still in the #1 position. That was the shock of the day.
Weezer had better not break up before I get a chance to see them in concert. And I don't even like concerts all that much. But I really want to see them! I heard they were in Chicago recently and it was supposed to be their last performance together.
Nickelback is my new favorite group. There is something about their song, "Photograph" that has been haunting me lately. (I'll explain more later.) When I first heard the title of the song I was pretty adamant about NOT liking this one because there's already one song with that title by Verve Pipe. Immature thinking, maybe, but that's how my mentality works sometimes.
6 comments:
GIRL, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? MARIAH CAREY ROCKS! SHE HAS THIS GREAT ALBUM OUT. I WAS NEVER INTO MTV THOUGH.
MTV! Woo-hoo, that was the best. I loved it when it very first began and it was ALL music. I was MTV junky!! :):)
lol...I thought Mariah got a little too smutty there for awhile, though I used to like a lot of her music. I tell ya, I am out of the loop, so to speak!
Part of the reason I quit watching MTV was because of these nutty shows on now. I like the MUSIC, dangit! Yesterday, for instance, I was at the Y and on one of the TVs was the MTV show, "Super Sweet Sixteen." Terrible, terrible, terrible!
Three Doors Down is one of my faves right now.
and I agree with everyone who says Mariah rocks...that girl can sing!
yeah i thought maricah was dead, but her slutty self worked back into the business i guess...lol i used to love MTV back in the days where they actually played music all day, now you have to kinda catch it at the right time.
"I can't believe Mariah Carey is still around. And still in the #1 position. That was the shock of the day."
- I know. And I actually like some songs from this last album. I'm ashamed.
Post a Comment