Putting On New Music

I’ll admit it. I hardly ever try anything new. I eat the same foods I have always eaten. I sleep on the same side of the bed I’ve always slept on. I watch the same types of TV programs I’ve always watched. I even wear the same colors I’ve always worn (they bring out the hues in my skin tone). But for some odd reason, I do like to expand my tastes when it comes to music. I’ll give anything a shot once, just to see if it will fit into my “like zone.”

Funny how other people will judge what they think is your listening taste based on one song they caught you singing. Granted, the song was Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” but that’s neither here nor there. I like a wide range of music, and being judged on one song is something I don’t appreciate. Also funny how people look at me and they assume I like R&B and rap exclusively. Sometimes they’ll even assume gospel. So when I’m singing Metallica or Black Lab or Disturbed, they look at me strangely. Why can’t I like all of those different genres and artists?

I’ve discovered so many new artists and bands in so many different ways throughout the years. One of my good friends likes this band called Geographer, and now I’m checking them out,  just based on her say-so. I found a cheap copy of Marc Cohn’s first record in a used CD shop and bought it without having heard a song. Just on a whim. And now he’s one of my favorite singers. KMFDM had this really cool album cover, so I bought it. There are so many ways to find new artists and bands, it’s ridiculous to just stick to whatever you’ve always listened to, in my opinion.

The five most recent songs played on my iPod:

1. Heartz of Men – 2Pac

2. Don’t Forget to Remember Me – Carrie Underwood

3. Murder Ink – Dr. Dre

4. We All Fall Down – Darius Rucker

5. After Tonight – Mariah Carey

Wow, that seems like I’m a big country/rap fan. And I guess I am. Those two genres are heavily represented on my iPod, but so are metal, pop, and Christian. I guess I just like what I like, and if it happens to not fit an assumption, oh well. Then there are those people who think mainstream is lame, who covet indie music because they feel like they “own” those bands or artists. I don’t care. If it’s indie and it’s good, great. If it’s mainstream and it’s good, great. Elitist I am not when it comes to music.

But when I need an onion bagel with garden veggie cream cheese, I need an onion bagel with garden veggie cream cheese. Nothing else will do.

Sam