No Rules Just Rock
Yesterday, I was driving home from the grocery store listening to the local Classic Rock station. On came a promo for the station showing off about how they don't talk to consultants when they pick they're songs and they don't work with focus groups; they just pick good music. The promo finished with the slogan, "105.9: No rules, just rock.
The whole thing struck me as kind of funny. I mean, who is their demographic? Isn't it like 50-something fathers? Aren't these guys probably very rule abiding folk? I imagine the majority have kids, decent jobs, and are against law-breaking. So why would the station be appealing to their "anti-rule" side?
I assume it's because we've defined music for the past 50 years as "counter-culture". For some reason, whether it's rap today, heavy metal in the 80's, or Classic Rock in 60's/70's, we want to feel rebelious when we listen to music. So even though a teenager might find it odd, his dad still does feel anti-establishment when he listens to the Eagles. And this station seemed to be centering its Ad campaign on maintaining that feeling. But why do we find it necessary only with music? And will we ever get to an age where we don't want to feel a little "bad" when we jam out in our cars?
The whole thing struck me as kind of funny. I mean, who is their demographic? Isn't it like 50-something fathers? Aren't these guys probably very rule abiding folk? I imagine the majority have kids, decent jobs, and are against law-breaking. So why would the station be appealing to their "anti-rule" side?
I assume it's because we've defined music for the past 50 years as "counter-culture". For some reason, whether it's rap today, heavy metal in the 80's, or Classic Rock in 60's/70's, we want to feel rebelious when we listen to music. So even though a teenager might find it odd, his dad still does feel anti-establishment when he listens to the Eagles. And this station seemed to be centering its Ad campaign on maintaining that feeling. But why do we find it necessary only with music? And will we ever get to an age where we don't want to feel a little "bad" when we jam out in our cars?
posted by chuckdaddy2000 at 11:54 am
4 Comments:
First off, I wanted to thank my #1 (or is only?) fan for the long thought-out response. Unlike me, you have a life to keep you busy.
You make a good point that music isn't always anti-establishment. Britany Spears, Michael Jackson (in the pre-accused molester days), and New Kids on The Block are examples of musicians who made it big without being rebellious (and the New Kids failed when they tried to become the tough rapping team NKOTB). Maybe it's certain times of music that identify themselves with rebellion and thus, need to stay that way for eternity. So the 60's radicals want their music always to be, well, radical.
One more question about classic rock stations though. Why are they always obsessed with music marathons? Not only do they seem obsessed with playing more songs in a row, but they even seem to use that term, no matter where you are in the country.
R u really armenian? I armenian! You lucky to have rock stations. in armenia no good music stations.
ok so nobody is going to read this because it is like 50 posts back, but i've just now become fascinated by the blogging. and i like arguments. i'm not going to get too into it, but...
Britany Spears -- TOXIC? and what about kissing madonna? she was pretty crazy rebellious with that one...the whole white cotton panty thing too? that's pretty rebellious.
Michael Jackson -- "BAD"?
i can't remember what New Kids on The Block called their songs but i think you might be right on that one.
Don't worry K-Bro, I'm not working so I have plent of time to find posts, even if they are 50 back.
And... Yah. You're right! I shouldn't have given in so early. Brittany Spears from the outset defined herself as the sex-starved virgin school girl. And even Justin Timberlake sings, "I'll have you naked by the end of this song." I guess the bands that market themeselves to 13-year old girls do not need rebels (New Kids, N'Synch, Backstreet Boys), although I think each one porbably had one shady chacter in the band (Wasn't a Backstreet Boy know for weird facial hair?) But for anyone over 13, some sort of rebellion seems necessary.
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