Stuck in the 90s
I was debating about writing a blog post, because I didn't have anything particular to write on at this moment, but then something happened.
I went to open up my Spotify App and a 2020 Year in Review popped up, detailing my so-called favorite genres, top 5 songs and musical artists, and the number of minutes spent listening on Spotify.
So, here's some of those highlights:
Top Genres
Rock
Pop
Pop Rock
Rap
Pop Punk
Top Artists
Collective Soul
Bruce Springsteen
U2
The Goo Goo Dolls
Matchbox Twenty
Top Songs
Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
Slide - Collective Soul
Closing Time - Semisonic
Beautiful Day - U2
The World I Know - Collective Soul
19,189 minutes so far this year.
If I break down those minutes by day, it comes to roughly 57 minutes a day (basically an hour per day). That really isn't a whole lot. Plus a good portion of it comes from educational podcasts that I listen to, which are mainly mental health related for obvious reasons.
As one can tell, I'm a mainstream music listener. Never really got into underground music, not because I don't like it, but just never was around it.
I'm definitely a 90s Kid!
Collective Soul has always been a top 5 band of mine. I prefer their older songs in general. About 5 years ago, I finally got to see them live. Unfortunately, Ed Roland didn't sound too good in person, so it was a disappointing experience. Not sure if it was age or the outdoor acoustics that distorted the sound and voices.
I grew up with a lot of 70s and 80s classic rock, even though that isn't exactly depicted in the "finalists' list.
CCR, Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Sting, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd... you get the gist.
Born in 1980, I was ingrained with the beat of classic rock throughout the 80s. This was my father's favorite genre. I remember the hours of listening to the radio and later on, CDS in the car when we traveled to see grandparents.
Then in the early 90s, I developed my love for grunge music.
When I look back to circa 1993-94, I can see an instance where my mental health wasn't good.
Ok, this is going to sound ridiculous, but I remember a friend of mine having 100s of CDS. On the other hand, I sadly only had 12 CDS to my name. We all know that the early teen years is often when "first impressions" make a big deal, right?
I seriously thought I could become "cooler" if I obtained a better knowledge of music and collected more CDS. I shake my head now at the absurdity of it all, but it makes sense that I was suffering from FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). I've learned about this acronym just this year.
If you've heard my story, you know that I didn't really have any friends throughout a good portion of my teenage years. I never really had anyone over to my house anyways, so I can't think of any other plausible reason other than what I just mentioned.
Anyways, music for me, like many of us, is about what moves us. While the actual music itself generally trumps the lyrics for me, as I've gotten older, I've noticed that I've paid more attention to lyrics of songs now.
The period of grunge music spoke loudly (and still does today) to my pervasive feelings and mood. One can likely correlate my depression and anxiety to it.
In my early 20s, rap music became somewhat of a staple in my collection. Now, for the most part, I really can't stand much of it, especially when you come to realize, and more importantly accept, that it often demoralizes women in a number of ways. It's not even so much the cussing that bothers me compared to that. I have somewhat of a "potty mouth" at times anyway.
There was a couple of years I got into House/Trance music in my late 20s. This was my heaviest partying time, so it's probably not surprising that I got into that genre.
Now, for me, music is all about moving my soul. As I'm writing up this blog, I'm listening to "Miracle Frequency Music" channel, which is meditation. I generally prefer no vocals when writing or reading content. I become too distracted otherwise.
I've slowly, and I say that with emphasis, slowly have become to appreciate country more. I prefer country rock over the heavy-laced "twangy" kind. The things you do for your native Texan partner!
I like some newer music, if it has a good beat, but prefer music from points in my past.
I guess I've become like many people; forever connected to their generation of music.
- Ben