Green Day
I’ve been listening to Green Day’s “American Idiot” practically nonstop these days. It’s sort of embarrassing, being an old guy and all. I ought to be digging on Coltrane or Mahler or something, but instead, I’m rocking out to post-punk anthems from a trio whose fan base is mostly a generation younger than me. So be it.
What’s more embarrassing, I think, is just how taken I am with such an unabashed piece of pop culture. It’s not like I’m fawning over Jessica Simpson or Clay Aiken (whoever they are) but in liking this Green Day album so much, I’m joining the ranks of millions and millions of fans who have pushed this record to near the top of Amazon’s bestseller list. Usually my tastes run to the far more esoteric. In fact, I have long maintained an inversely proportional relationship between how popular a band is and how much a fan of them I’ll let myself be. When REM, for instance, was a “cult” band, I liked them a lot; as soon as they became MTV stars, they fell out of my heavy rotation.
Sure this is snobbery, but it’s of a fairly harmless sort. I’m clearly not hurting anyone in having such an attitude. Well, perhaps I could be hurting myself in some small way—cutting myself off from the chance to enjoy something popular—but that’s hardly reason to disapprobate my behavior.
Anyway, “American Idiot” is great. For some strange reason, the song “The Waiting” brings tears to my eyes. “Are we we are the waiting unknown.” Yeah!
I’m going to try to get tickets to Green Day’s upcoming show at of all places, the Everett Events Center in Everett, Washington. There I’ll be with hundreds of other fans, pumping my fist in the air and singing along. Just don’t for a moment imagine it I’m doing it in the same spirit as all those kids. I’m doing it my way, unique and special.
What’s more embarrassing, I think, is just how taken I am with such an unabashed piece of pop culture. It’s not like I’m fawning over Jessica Simpson or Clay Aiken (whoever they are) but in liking this Green Day album so much, I’m joining the ranks of millions and millions of fans who have pushed this record to near the top of Amazon’s bestseller list. Usually my tastes run to the far more esoteric. In fact, I have long maintained an inversely proportional relationship between how popular a band is and how much a fan of them I’ll let myself be. When REM, for instance, was a “cult” band, I liked them a lot; as soon as they became MTV stars, they fell out of my heavy rotation.
Sure this is snobbery, but it’s of a fairly harmless sort. I’m clearly not hurting anyone in having such an attitude. Well, perhaps I could be hurting myself in some small way—cutting myself off from the chance to enjoy something popular—but that’s hardly reason to disapprobate my behavior.
Anyway, “American Idiot” is great. For some strange reason, the song “The Waiting” brings tears to my eyes. “Are we we are the waiting unknown.” Yeah!
I’m going to try to get tickets to Green Day’s upcoming show at of all places, the Everett Events Center in Everett, Washington. There I’ll be with hundreds of other fans, pumping my fist in the air and singing along. Just don’t for a moment imagine it I’m doing it in the same spirit as all those kids. I’m doing it my way, unique and special.
posted by Professor Dave at 7:28 PM
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