I always find it funny when people
look through my iPod and by the time they reach the “O” on my artists they look
up at me, with a look of pure disbelief, and say, “I don’t understand how you
listen to such great artists and then have One Direction on here.” I never
really know what to respond to that, because in my opinion One Direction is a
group of great artists as well. All I can really do is shrug and say,
“Different strokes for different folks, I guess!” I’m totally aware that most
people scoff at every boy-band, and deem them unworthy of being called “great”
simply because they’re products of pop music. It’s not like I would compare
boy-bands and their music to the likes of Arctic Monkeys or Vampire Weekend, I
know pop music isn’t at the same level as these bands, and I don’t dispute the
fact that pop music lyrics aren’t as poetic as indie or rock lyrics. However,
that doesn’t mean that pop music isn’t worthwhile; music made by boy-bands,
like One Direction, is fun, it’s meant to pump the adrenaline in the body and
release endorphins. One Direction make “feel good” music, and there is no
reason to make someone feel like less of a person simply because they listen to
music that makes them happy. Whether it’s a boy-band, or a pop princess, it’s
time to stop calling this music “guilty pleasures” because there’s nothing wrong with listening to songs that
make people happy, why should that be a reason for guilt?
There is a song for every mood, and
perhaps the folk-y sounds of a banjo and the crooning of Marcus Mumford isn’t
going to cut it in order to capture the feeling of finally kissing someone
after finding out feelings harbored for days were mutual; perhaps a pop song
captures that moment perfectly, “Wish I
could freeze this moment in a frame and stay like this, I’ll put this day back
on replay and keep reliving it.” Now I’m not saying there isn’t a song that
can be considered “indie” that’s about the same kind of happy moment, I’m sure
there are hundreds. What I’m trying to explain is that while someone may stick
to just one genre of music and one style of artists, there are others who like
to delve into all sorts of styles and enjoy music by artists that may be
completely out of their usual range, and that doesn’t disqualify their music
taste. One of the worst things a person
can be is a music snob and say, “I’ve lost respect for you because you listen
to so and so.” There is nothing more pretentious than placing a person beneath
another simply because of their likes and dislikes. Music is subjective and to
look down upon people simply because their taste is different than others is
simply ridiculous.
I could jam out one night to The
1975’s groovy sound on “Settle Down,” bop along to it in a small and personal
venue, sweaty bodies pulsing to the same bass rhythm, and be close enough to
Matt Healy that I can see his neck veins strain as he hits the notes on “You’re losing your words, we’re speaking in
bodies, avoiding me and talking about you. You’re cold and I burn, I guess I’ll
never learn, guess I’ll stay another hour or two.” Then the next night I
can be in a sold out stadium, straining to see the five boys of One Direction
jump across the stage, and scream my lungs out as I match their voices singing,
“I would carry you over fire and water
for your love, and I will hold you closer, hope your heart is strong enough.
When the night is coming down on you, we will find our way ‘Through the Dark.’”
At the end of the day I wouldn’t feel ashamed or guilty about either night,
because I would have had the time of my life for both concerts.
