Playlist: LFDH- The Next Generation
Featured Artists:
There is a common trope among older music enjoyers that kids these days don’t know what good music is or that music isn’t “what it used to be”. I have a whole mess of kids and a curious mind so lets put this belief to the test. Here are the terms for our little “experiment”: I ask each one of my kids (the ones old enough to participate) to recommend me a song. It has to be one they enjoy and it can’t be a song that they like because I showed it to them. They had to discover it themselves. The majority of my brood agreed to this. The only hold out was my 16 year old who claimed “I don’t like music” to which his siblings replied. “You listen to it all the time!” He then went on the assert that while what they said was true he doesn’t like any of the music he listens to. I feel like he missed out on an opportunity to at the very least troll me by making me listen to some random meme song. We are probably better for that not crossing his mind. What I did get was 6 recommendations that I have listed here in order of oldest kid’s suggestion to youngest.
“It’s Called: Freefall” by Rainbow Kitten Surprise. First off. Rainbow Kitten Surprise is an absolute boss of a name. I really enjoy the cadence and smoothness of the vocal performance. While I called it smooth. My son who suggested it said he’s never heard anyone describe it that way. We both decided that mellow works as well. I feel the song is about the anxiety of dealing with relationships. Not wanting to be a burden on friends and the intention behind your interactions with them. I think it is a pretty deep song with quite a few layers.
Next on the playlist is “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” by Jeff Buckley. This is a love song. It’s about the pining after a lost lover. I think the tempo and melody do a good job at conveying a sense of longing. The lyrics are very sorrowful. Seriously, this dude is working through some shit. Hopefully he becomes a better person when he comes through it all. This is definitely the kind of song I could see someone putting on after a break up when they need a good cry.
The next song on the playlist is “Rock DJ” by Robbie Williams. I really don’t have much to say about this song, it is an upbeat party/dance song. Its good for what it is.
“Fill in the Blank” by Car seat Headrest is probably the song that is most similar to my musical taste. Its got a really nice indie rock vibe. The lyrics are very sarcastic and talk about dealing with depression and life. Its tempo is upbeat which I obviously like and it really adds to the tongue and cheek nature of the song.
When I ask my kids for suggestions, I guessed I was going to get an Eminem song. I find it endlessly amusing that my 12 year old kid discovered Eminem on his own and now a few times a week I get slim shady ‘factoids’ that are highly mythologized. Like he tells me stories about things I remember happening but with a highly fantastical and dramatic slant to them. It’s really great. Anyway, his song suggestion is “Lose Yourself” by Eminem. It’s originally from the movie 8 mile. I think most people know about it. If you like Eminem, you like this song if you don’t? Well nothing I say is going to change that.
The last song is “Sunroof” by Nicky Youre and Hey Daisy. This is another song I think most people know about. It has gotten a lot of radio play. This is a upbeat pop song. When I listen to it I get the vibes of cruising around in my car with the windows down on a warm summer day.
I think the propensity to believe that the youth don’t have good music tastes is really just a show case of some people’s refusal to discover new music after they graduate from high school or college. I think the kids are doing just fine. I really enjoyed this playlist and talking to my kids about the music they like. I think it is cool how the song each of them suggested seemed to fit their personality really well. I hope y’all enjoyed it as well.
