MUSIC WAS MY FIRST LOVE

Ever since I was a small child I liked music. The first song I sang along with was “Kiss me honey honey” from Shirley Bassey (Our maid was called Hannie and me, being a 3-year-old kid in Holland, did not understand English so I thought the song was all about her). Music became very important for me and after I bought my house (I still had to wait for 2 months before I could move in) I bought a brand new sound system. I can still hear my father say “Boy oh boy. Shouldn’t you buy furniture etc. instead?” My answer? “Dad, I could sleep on the floor for a year but I can’t live a day without my music.” At first, there were a few pop groups that I liked very much but growing older my musical taste got broader. 

This resulted in me losing interest in the variety of hit lists. Too often the hits were too ‘cheap’ for my taste. Of course, there were exceptions. They, after all, make the rule. Is there a definition of ‘good’ music? More than likely there is none in general. As long as it makes people happy and feels good it is good for them. From that point of view, we can’t really criticize music. It is simply is a matter of personal taste. But then again, it is my belief that most of the music that comes out is not born out of love for the music. That’s why I like to call it cheap music. 

Some like to call it MOR (Middle of the road). Actually, they are not the same. MOR can be pleasant to listen to. The cheap music I mean is the kind where very little is done. The music (if you even can call it music at all) there comes from a box. No drums, no guitars were used. For the singers, it is more about showing themselves in video clips that one really can’t take seriously. One can see, hear and feel the lack of love for music.

There are also a lot of covered songs. Basically the original always should be the best. But sometimes covers are made with so much love for the music that they are good as well. When a writer composes a very good song, coming from the heart, you really can tell. It is pure and honest. Some other artists do a great job performing those songs as well while others can make quite a mess of it. Somehow you can tell if the song means a lot for the artist. As to say the song lives. 

There are some examples. My brother in law, Ton, was a great admirer of Simon and Garfunkel in the seventies. He never liked the kind of music I loved so much. One day I was playing a Supremes album and on it was “Bridge over troubled water”. Ton was very surprised to hear it and… he loved it very much. 

Because the arrangements were completely different and the producer used the voices of the Supremes in a perfect way. But one could tell it was not done overnight. The team must have had quite a job re-making this great song. 

In the past few years, I have heard ‘new’ songs in which old tunes or even parts of songs are mixed. To me, it feels like a fast and cheap way to make money. There seems to be no love for the beauty of music whatsoever. It is like floating on the success of others. A very cheap ride. Quality music still exists thank heaven!

But for quality music, I learned not to listen to the radio. Most programs are filled with MOR. The real good music (and that is for each to define in his/her own words of course) for me comes via friends or in bars. I am glad a lot of music came my way. Soul, pop, classical, rock and even torch songs. I can love it all, depending on my mood.

Love the ones you’re with (and the music) and be loved in return