I think it's utterly ridiculous to write off an artist just because they're a pop star. What exactly is wrong with selling lots of records/being a bit cheesy/having your clothes picked out by a stylist? I mean, really. It doesn't make your music rubbish, or make you an idiot, necessarily. It's a job.
It's nice to be able to write music and be beautiful and an amazing singer with oodles of drive and charisma, but more than likely you will be good at one or two of those things, so it's up to somebody else to do the rest. This means that (in theory at least) pop stars are more likely to come up with a truly excellent song, because they have legions of talented songwriters and producers behind them. Teamwork makes the dream work, as my best friend (who loves Kelly Clarkson) would say.
And you've heard it before, but look at Tamla Motown and the Beatles were a boy band. Etc.
Anyway, my point is, KELLY FRICKIN CLARKSON. She is great. Not only is she a bit normal looking, she has a mighty set of pipes and I heard her on the radio banging on about Opem Arms by Journey (what a great rock ballad), and ...well, OK the internet says that Against All Odds is her favourite song, but come on, Against All Odds IS an amazing song. Could you write Against All Odds? No you bloody couldn't, because if you could you'd be in a castle right now drinking champagne out of a Faberge egg. And Kezza's favourite artists are Johnny Cash, Bonny Raitt, Jeff Buckley.... you know. I'm not saying she's a record nerd, I'm pretty sure she doesn't have a secret stash of Rites Of Spring rareities or anything. I'm just saying she's a normal person who loves music.
My rather meandering point is that my best friend (see above) absolutely loves this song and always goes all coy when she talks about it. "It's my guilty pleasure!" she protests. I really don't think there is anything to be ashamed of though, because this is a great song, and so is Since You've Been Gone while we're at it. It's not like she's owning up to liking the Vengaboys. Best friend is outing her secret next year though, as Sausages are under instructions to perform this very song at her wedding. EEEEEEEEEEE. Gonna sing it like Kezza, or possibly (up to) 59% as brilliantly as she does *pumps fist*
What are your guilty pleasures? Stand proud and declare them - let them be a pleasure that is guilty no more.
I heart Kelly Clarkson. This is a perfect song for singing loudly in the car (something I don't get to do nearly enough of - note to self, must arrange a solo drive somewhere).
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree. Especially Since You've Been Gone, with its ridiculous high notes.
DeletePx
And Because Of You. My best friend and I used to sing this to our other housemate a LOT. He once threatened to grate his ears off if we didn't stop.
DeleteK x
I am generally considered to have fairly horrendous taste in music. Our wedding invites included requests for songs to put on the playlist and were sent out with the wording "If you don't pick a song, Katie will..."
ReplyDeleteAll of which is very unfair, because there is nothing wrong with adoring John Barrowman and Westlife. Nothing. At. All.
:-p
K x
John Barrowman :-D
DeleteI wish I had me an exclamation mark now...
Px
One way or another, it's nearly impossible to consider JB without an exclamation mark. Your restraint is admirable.
DeleteK x
Heh my entire music collection is one big guilty pleasure! I'm never allowed to pick the music, ever.
ReplyDeleteThat's no fair. Reclaim the stereo immediately. Everybody needs guilty pleasures... especially when it's sunny. And it's Eurovision weekend, anything goes :)
DeletePx
@Kirsty, my sister used to have a green toyota corolla named minty (cost, 1000 australian dollars, I've got frocks worth more than that) and she only ever listened to Kelly Clarkson's album in it because my brother wired the cd player in funny and you couldn't eject it. When she recently bought what we all term a 'big girl's car' (minty died) we had to get her Breakaway as a present. My guilty pleasure though, is Avril Lavigne. Especially Boyfriend. I know, I know, it's a blatant Ramones rip off, but I don't care. *singing* since you've been GOOOOOOOOOOOOONE
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