Guilty Musical Pleasures

[Smails]

Amidst the political sparring that is going to take place between now and November, I thought I'd bring a little levity to the "Mall".

Last night I was sitting on my patio listening to the radio with a buddy of mine who is an absolute music junkie. You know the type..2 external hard drives, 3 ipods, every Dead concert bootleg known to man. Anyhow, we're listening to the radio and a Hall and Oates song comes on...he starts singing along and when he realizes what he's doing, he looks at me and says...they're my guilty pleasure...those two white boys can harmonize with the best of them. I thought to myself...that might be a good topic for XU hoops. So here goes: Who is your musical guilty pleasure? Here's mine:

1) The Cars...yes I like old Cars stuff
2) Old Chicago with the full brass section

Ok...it's out there...no turning back

[DC Muskie]

Jimmy Buffet.

Grew up on the music, and for whatever reason I can't get his music out of my head.

[Snipe]

Old Cars is great stuff.

Rage Against the Machine in one of mine. Mostly don't care for Rap or Hip-Hop, and I wouldn't play Rage amongst my friends or family. Don't care for their politics either, but I do respect how pissed off they are about everything.

I also like Frank Sinatra. Sometimes I like to sing "Fly Me To The Moon" or Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" in the shower. Now there is a visual.

Fill my heart with song
Let me sing forever more...

[Juice]

I listen to more rap music than what is acceptable for a white, suburban male.

[XU05and07]

Thanks for the horrifying mental image, Snipe

[Mrs. Garrett]

Amidst the political sparring that is going to take place between now and November, I thought I'd bring a little levity to the "Mall".

Last night I was sitting on my patio listening to the radio with a buddy of mine who is an absolute music junkie. You know the type..2 external hard drives, 3 ipods, every Dead concert bootleg known to man. Anyhow, we're listening to the radio and a Hall and Oates song comes on...he starts singing along and when he realizes what he's doing, he looks at me and says...they're my guilty pleasure...those two white boys can harmonize with the best of them. I thought to myself...that might be a good topic for XU hoops. So here goes: Who is your musical guilty pleasure? Here's mine:

1) The Cars...yes I like old Cars stuff
2) Old Chicago with the full brass section

Ok...it's out there...no turning back

There used to be a hot dog joint in Chicago near DePaul's campus called Demon Dogs. It was owned by the manager of the band Chicago, and had all kinds on the band's memorabilia. There was a plaque that read "Chicago: a band so great they named a city after it". That quote always made me laugh.

[The Artist]

Do Billy Joel and Elton John count? I've been made fun of for liking them before (in fact, they were my first ever concert), and I don't think it's warranted. Apparently, some do.

[Pete Delkus]

I too find myself having to make excuses sometimes for liking Buffett. However, you can’t beat A1A, White Sport Coat, Living and Dying, etc... Those early albums ‘have some good sh*t on um’.

I really don’t listen to too much after 1979 and his concerts have shifted to a different audience. When “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” is then new ‘Buffett Anthem’, I really don’t have a chance to hear My Lovely Lady (not that he has ever played this at a show) or Presents to Send You. I don’t blame him for this, it’s what a good amount of people want to hear. However, I listen to his early albums religiously.

[Muskie]

Do Billy Joel and Elton John count? I've been made fun of for liking them before (in fact, they were my first ever concert), and I don't think it's warranted. Apparently, some do.

Nothing wrong with either. I've seen both in concert (Elton at the request of a GF) and both were outstanding.

[Smails]

Think of a song/group on your Ipod you wouldn't want your buddies to know was on there

[Kahns Krazy]

I like Eminem. I can't help it. There are also a bunch of individual songs that I consider guilty pleasures, many of them from the early days of MTV. I don't think it's the music I like as much as the reminder of a time where I had nothing more important than to watch MTV. I mean, come on... Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, J. J. Jackson and Martha Quinn were my posse, and songs like Rockwell - Somebody's watching me; Stray Cats - Stray Cat Strut and Culture Club - Karma Chameleon that really aren't good songs were hits on MTV.

I don't think Billy Joel and Elton John are guilty pleasures. I guess it depends on what of their music you like. If you're rocking out to Uptown Girl and I'm Still Standing, that's a little gay.

I also like Prince, who I used to consider a guilty pleasure until I saw him in concert. That crazy midget is one of the most accomplished musicians I have ever seen perform.

[ATL Muskie]

I also like Prince, who I used to consider a guilty pleasure until I saw him in concert. That crazy midget is one of the most accomplished musicians I have ever seen perform.

No kidding. I saw him in ATL and when he did acoustic Purple Rain by himself on stage, it was amazing. That show kicked ass.

I don't consider Cars guilty pleasure b/c that's the kind of stuff I listened to back in the day and still consider it kick ass.

I suppose if I had someone scroll through my iPod, I would hope they wouldn't see the Huey Lewis and the News. But again, that was heavily played back in the day so kiss my white ass. And Journey. Yes, I have Journey.

[MHettel]

Lionel Ritchie
Jackson 5
Michael Jackson "off the wall'
Little River Band
Charlie Daniels Band
Beastie Boys
NWA

No country, no new rap

[Xman95]

Prince should never be considered a guilty pleasure. I once heard a woman tell her kids (who were making fun of Prince) that he had more musical talent in his pinky than they did in their three bodies combined. Funny...because it's true. Prince is a musical genius and it's odd that people could mock the guy. Tough to rip on him musically. Want to call him gay? He has probably had more women than this whole board combined. Short? OK, he's guilty. Bad clothes and a cheesy mustache...guilty again. Beyond that...

Now to my guilty pleasures: early Michael Jackson (probably through the "Bad" album), basically any bad 80's pop (Culture Club, a-ha, etc.), "Somebody's Watching Me" by Rockwell, Eddie Rabbit, Martina McBride, the soundtracks to movies like "Wizard of Oz" and "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (the original, not the creepy Johnny Deep version). Do I have to claim Sarah McLachlin? I'm sure there's more, but I'm getting to the point where I want to beat myself up so I should stop.

[Smails]

Lionel Ritchie
Jackson 5
Michael Jackson "off the wall'
Little River Band
Charlie Daniels Band
Beastie Boys
NWA

No country, no new rap

Please take NWA and the Beasties of that list...freaking Pioneers!

[xu95]

THings on my Ipod I wouldn't want people to know I listen to:

ABBA
Air Supply
Enya
Mariah Carey
Michael Jackson

The ones I listen to a lot on there that I am not ashamed of:
AC/DC
Eminem
50 cent
Linkin Park
Creed

xu95

[Mrs. Garrett]

I have a Tears for Fears song on my iPod

"Everybody wants to Rule the World"

[Xman95]

I have a Tears for Fears song on my iPod

"Everybody wants to Rule the World"


Girls, girls! (in a Mrs. Garrett voice of course) You'll get no complaint from me on "EWtRtW" and I wouldn't have a problem with "Shout" either. I believe both were from the album "Songs from the Big Chair" that came out somewhere around 1985-86.

[boozehound]

I am the king of guilty pleasures. Some particular ones:

St. Elmo's Fire -- John Parr
Anything by Lionel Richie
New Chicago
Toto
Safety Dance -- Men Without Hats
Phil Collins
I even have that "Rock me Amadeus" song on my Ipod. No Joke.

I love 80's one hit wonders.

[Mrs. Garrett]

Girls, girls! (in a Mrs. Garrett voice of course) You'll get no complaint from me on "EWtRtW" and I wouldn't have a problem with "Shout" either.

It's not so much the song as the sneaking suspicion I have that the two guys in that band were gay lovers. I have no proof they just kinda seemed "that way".

On the other hand I'm a 33 year old man calling myself Mrs. Garrett on a hoops message board. Go figure.

[The Artist]

A few things to say:

Miles Davis once called Prince the most talented musician of all time. I don't know how many times I've been mocked for listening to Prince.

The Beastie Boys and NWA are nowhere near a guilty pleasure.

Neither are St Elmo's Fire or the Safety Dance

[Tardy Turtle]

Enya.
Weird Al.

/thread

[Smails]

No kidding. I saw him in ATL and when he did acoustic Purple Rain by himself on stage, it was amazing. That show kicked ass.

I don't consider Cars guilty pleasure b/c that's the kind of stuff I listened to back in the day and still consider it kick ass.

I suppose if I had someone scroll through my iPod, I would hope they wouldn't see the Huey Lewis and the News. But again, that was heavily played back in the day so kiss my white ass. And Journey. Yes, I have Journey.


I downloaded some Journey after the final Sopranos episode....

[Juice]

Smails, I hate to knock your guilty pleasure but no band in history angers me more than Journey. I have no feelings towards their music one way or the other, but the way that people react to them at parties, bars, games, in public or where ever pisses me off so much. People sing that crap in bars like they are some hipster that just "re-discovered" some band from the 80's that no one has ever heard of. People think they are so cool because they listen to some band "that they shouldn't listen to because they are so retro!" The worst part is that girls listen to them. My rule of thumb is never to listen to any music that a large majority of the female gender enjoys. Women usually ruin things for many different reasons and music is one of their favorite victims. They hear one song by someone, act like they are an expert, and play the song until it is buring into the ground.

Sorry to go on this rant which isn't aimed at you but the people I see out in public, but you just brought them up. That is my psycho rant for the day.

[PM Thor]

This is going to go over great I can tell....

but I catch myself listening to Queen, Prince, (some) Elton John, and Faith No More constantly. I got busted just yesterday singing along to Rocketman at the firehouse. That was a beating...

You name it from the 80s, it's probably on my Ipod. "Panama" Van Halen to UB40 to Jesus and Mary Chain to Skee-lo, I have a ton of it, and listen to it all, all the time.

[The Artist]

<<I don't think Billy Joel and Elton John are guilty pleasures. I guess it depends on what of their music you like. If you're rocking out to Uptown Girl and I'm Still Standing, that's a little gay. >>

I'm not sure what's wrong with Uptown Girl, but in terms of Elton - the older the better for me. I'm more of a New York State of Mind/Bennie and the Jets fan.

[ballyhoohoo]

I have a strange affection for early and mid 90's power ballads

[Smails]

I have a strange affection for early and mid 90's power ballads

Are you talking "Fly to the Angels" or "Nothing Else Matters"

[ballyhoohoo]

Are you talking "Fly to the Angels" or "Nothing Else Matters"

Think Extreme "more then words" Mr Big "next to be with you" Damn Yankee, up to Googoo dolls

[Smails]

Gotcha....Damn Yankees..the ultimate hair All-Star band

Ted Nugent
Jack Blades-NIght Ranger
Tommy Shaw-Styx

God how sad is it that I know that

[GuyFawkes38]

George Michaels
Michael Jackson
Abba
Prince
Donna Summers (so hot)

(its a shame that male culture in the US is so anti-pop/dance music...I'm confident enough in my manhood that I have no problem admitting this)

[Smails]

Who the hell are George Michaels and Donna Summers

[GuyFawkes38]

Who the hell are George Michaels and Donna Summers

They aren't my favorite artists. Just fun.

[muskienick]

Wow! What a surprise! Guy missed the point.

[GuyFawkes38]

Wow! What a surprise! Guy missed the point.

hmmmm, did I?

[muskienick]

I am not ashamed to admit I like the following:
Sarah Vaughn
Joe Cocker
Janis Joplin
Elton
Queen
LRB
Pink Floyd
Aerosmith
Jesse Cook (acoustic guitarist)
Live (especially "Awake - The Best of Live" - includes a DVD)
Allison Krauss + Union Station
Sister Hazel
South Sixty-Five
No Doubt
Mike and the Mechanics
Over the Rhine
and any cd of Paavo Jarvi conducting the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

My taste in music is a bit eclectic.

[boozehound]

Mike and the Mechanics were good. The Living Years was a great song.

[golfitup]

Think of a song/group on your Ipod you wouldn't want your buddies to know was on there

Well let's see. I own all three of Avril Lavigne's cds and Shania Twain's greatest hits cd. (I've also seen both of them in concert). I also have Lily Allen's cd and a Michelle Branch cd. Basically, I like way more female singers than any guy should. And believe me, I'm very ashamed of my taste in music. But I just cant help it. You ever seen that show on A&E called Intervention for all the drug addicts? Well that's what I need, only for my taste in music.

I can't believe I just admitted all that.

[Smooth]

Sweet - Little Willy
Slade - Run, Run Away
Gordon Lightfoot - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Elvin Bishop - Fooled Around and Fell in Love

and the anthem of every Americam male.....

Gloria Gaynor - I will survive.

Previously mentioned: old Chicago, Little River Band

[Smooth]

Well let's see. I own all three of Avril Lavigne's cds and Shania Twain's greatest hits cd. (I've also seen both of them in concert). I also have Lily Allen's cd and a Michelle Branch cd. Basically, I like way more female singers than any guy should. And believe me, I'm very ashamed of my taste in music. But I just cant help it. You ever seen that show on A&E called Intervention for all the drug addicts? Well that's what I need, only for my taste in music.

I can't believe I just admitted all that.

I also enjoy listening to female artists more than I did in my teens and twenties. Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Edie Brickell, Joan Osborne, Diana Krall, Grace Potter, Norah Jones.

[xubball93]

I own every freakin' Chicago album from CTA to XXX. Journey is good stuff to run to.

[Kahns Krazy]

Oh, chick singers. I totally forgot about that part of my guilty pleasures. I have Avril's first CD, though I don't know if it's fair to say I own it, in the sense that I just have it on permanent loan, and I will agree that I like it more than I feel like I should. I was unaware there were two more. I do have a couple acoustic versions of songs from the first album on my iPod.

I also have Jewel's first two CD's. I still like the first one, but the second one sucked so bad that I don't even know if there are more than that. I believe I actually purchased those. I probably also own Natalie Merchant and Norah Jones, though I will say it's been a long, long time since I've listened to either of those. There is also some Christina Aguilaersa or however you say that on the iPod, but not much. That broad can sing but in general I don't like what she sings about. I have an album by Sister 7 that falls somewhere between regular and guilty. I don't think an all-girl band can ever be guilt-free if you're a dude, but they are pretty good. Oh, I have Alanis Morrisette's first album too.

I like No Doubt, but I do not put Gwen in the guilty catgory. That bitch rocks. The Gwen Stefani Dealertainer at the Imperial Palace in Vegas also rocks. I also count Cheryl Crow as a chick singer that I think is talented enough that I don't have to consider it guilty.

There are a couple of covers that I consider guilty because of the original tune. Obadiah Parker covered Outkast's "Hey Ya". If you haven't heard this one, check you tube. Also a chick fronted group (I think) called Willis covered Cameo's "Word Up".

Jesus. Do I listen to any good music?

[Smooth]

I like to listen to Bob Rivers Twisted Christmas songs year round, especially the Hendrix-inspired Holidaze.

[Tardy Turtle]

Gordon Lightfoot - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald


There is nothing about Gordon Lightfoot to be ashamed of.

[GuyFawkes38]

There is nothing about Gordon Lightfoot to be ashamed of.

For some reason, whenever I hear the Edmond Fitzgerald on the radio, I laugh.

[ATL Muskie]

I also have some Kenny Rogers on the iPod.
http://www.brainerddispatch.com/images/041504/tmp_KRchair.jpg

[Miller'sTale]

Kenny G and/or Michael Bolton.


I once requested Gordon Lightfoot's "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" as the last song at a high school dance.

[PM Thor]

^^^^ I have heard that song, along with every freaking Jimmy Buffett song, probably thousands of times each. That's what I get for being a bartender at a resort island for years....

To this day I want to gouge my ears off every time I hear them. Even the mention of them makes me throw up in my mouth.

[ballyhoohoo]

I also have some Kenny Rogers on the iPod.
http://www.brainerddispatch.com/images/041504/tmp_KRchair.jpg

Islands in the may be as guilty pleasure as it gets!!!! I love me some Kenny Rogers

[Xman95]

For some reason, whenever I hear the Edmond Fitzgerald on the radio, I laugh.


And, for the record, GuyFawkes hates guilty musical pleasures.

[waggy]

Smails mentioned Chicago in his initial post (as did others). They have some great stuff. Like any group spanning 4 decades they will have some stuff that goes out of style. We could have a whole thread just them, or at least similiar bands with horn sections like Tower of Power and Earth, Wind & Fire two of my other favorites.

What I've really fell in love with lately is YouTube. Here is a wonderful video of Chicago playing Searchin So Long outdoors. It's the short version, and the audio has some issues, but still a very cool little clip. Great song too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y9VmfKcOYc

[waggy]

Don't know if this qualifies as a guilty pleasure, but Gonna Make You Sweat is more of a club anthem, but it rocks. Crank it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b714Wi4CDsQ

[Smails]

I like the Chicago stuff prior to Peter Cetera doing an entire album of love ballads.

"Does anybody really know what time it is"....Solid
"Beginings".....Stellar

'Love me tomorrow'...Pee-yew
'You're the inspiration"....ralph

[Strange Brew]

Jimmy Buffet.

Grew up on the music, and for whatever reason I can't get his music out of my head.


Nothing wrong with Buffet. My guilty music pleasure is Rod Stewart. Horrible, i know.

[muskienick]

I attended the Geezer Chicago/Doobie Concert tonight at Riverbend. Had any of you doubters been there, you would likely have been blown away like the rest of us were. Their separate sets were outstanding, but the highlight of the evening was the 5-6 song finale when the two groups combined. Both groups have great (and extremely versatile) individual musicians. And their collaboration was simply outstanding.

The crowd (the pavilion was packed) was extremely energetic and appreciative (especially for a Cincinnati crowd not witnessing a Jimmy Buffett concert).

[xu95]

Had any of you doubters been there, you would likely have been blown away like the rest of us were.

I doubt it.

xu95

[muskienick]

xu95,

I realize that you were speaking only for yourself but I would like to report seeing a significant number of people at Riverbend last night who seemingly were dressed up and masked to look like people in what I suspect is your age group (30-42?). Obviously, there were more from my age bracket there (43-150). But the age group ratio of the fans was not nearly as one-sided as I would have imagined.

And, like I said, I saw absolutely no one there who seemed at all disappointed with the entertainment.

[Fred Garvin]

I attended the Geezer Chicago/Doobie Concert tonight at Riverbend. Had any of you doubters been there, you would likely have been blown away like the rest of us were. Their separate sets were outstanding, but the highlight of the evening was the 5-6 song finale when the two groups combined. Both groups have great (and extremely versatile) individual musicians. And their collaboration was simply outstanding.

The crowd (the pavilion was packed) was extremely energetic and appreciative (especially for a Cincinnati crowd not witnessing a Jimmy Buffett concert).

And the entire ride home you sang "Music is the doctor."

[Fred Garvin]

Nothing wrong with Buffet. My guilty music pleasure is Rod Stewart. Horrible, i know.

Rod Stewart was cool when he was with Ronnie Lane in The Faces.

[Fred Garvin]

The Edmund Fitzgerald often tops these types of lists. Of course it is famous for being crucified in Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs. He also ripped America(Muskrat Love) so what does he know.

It is funny how an artist can be ripped for his later output. I see Billy Joel, Elton, Chicago and The Cars as guilty pleasures. They should be ripped for their lousy output. But don't act like "Captain Jack" and "Honky Chateau" are anything other than brilliant. And Chicago was great til that one dude died and Cetera took over. Who hasn't been hammered and sprawled on a stranger's floor only to look up at the clock and think of "25 or 6 to 4"?

BTW, if you want my guilty pleasure go to youtube and check out Jill Sobule's version of Chicago's "Saturday in the Park." It is called "Cinnamon Park" and it is shroomtastic.

The Cars first album was a classic and I'm sure it ranks high in Rolling Stone's list of top albums. They actually had to delay the disappointing Candy-0 for close to a year since The Cars was still topping the charts. And Ric Ocasek would go on to nail Paulina and produce Weezer.

[Strange Brew]

Rod Stewart was cool when he was with Ronnie Lane in The Faces.

Faces was a good band and produced the song "I wish that I knew (what I know now)". Which is a great song. Rod (man, i sound worse by the minute) was better in the early days.

[Fred Garvin]

Who here hasn't rocked out to Eddie Rabbit's "I love a rainy night"?

Embarassing admission: I actually liked the two original songs at the end of "Music and Lyics."

[chico]

The Cars first is a great album, but Candy-O was very, very good as well. It actually sold more copies than their first album. If any of The Cars would be considered a guilty pleasure, it would be Heartbeat City (although that's a great album as well).

Chicago before Cetera took over was a really good band. Fred's right that they died along with their lead singer when he decided to play Russian Roulette. Anything after Alive Again is a guilty pleasure.

When I think of a guilty pleasure musically I think of a guy like John Denver. I really like some of his songs but I don't want anyone seeing me singing along with Rocky Mountain High. Al Jarreau is also one of my favorite singers - I guess him along with The Spinners are also guilty pleasures.

I guess some can consider hair bands guilty pleasures but I never will because I hate all of them.

[Strange Brew]

When I think of a guilty pleasure musically I think of a guy like John Denver. I really like some of his songs but I don't want anyone seeing me singing along with Rocky Mountain

Country Roads is simply infectous. Now much how much I try to resist singing along, I'm never successful.

By the way, "That John Denver is full of crap"

[ATL Muskie]

You gotta throw Neil Diamond in there if you're going to mention John Denver. Although, Neil was invited by The Band to perform at The Last Waltz so it's hard to put him in any kind of cheese category.

[ATL Muskie]

This thread reminds me of the scene in Tommy Boy when they're tuning the radio and land on Superstar by The Carpenters and neither one changes the station.

BTW, I love Sonic Youth's version of that song.

[waggy]

Jay Z & Foxy Brown. I'm too old to know hip hop, but I know there's got to be some smoother stuff out there kind of like this YouTube. I'd like to learn more, but it seems like I have to wade thru way too much crap to find anything I like. Recommendations?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxUoySP9zqg

[Tardy Turtle]

I've seen Neil Diamond in concert twice.

[Masterofreality]

Geez,

Chicago, Tower of Power, Aerosmith, Rage Against the Machine? Those are adamantly not anything to be guilty of. Rod Stewart today is an embarrassment, but adamantly NOT when he was A) With Jeff Beck, B) With the Faces, and C) When he had his early solo career- (best sample- downloads of Italian Girls or Reason to Believe).

I'll tell you a guilty pleasure- Kelly Clarkson's album Breakaway. She actually has talent as a song stylist and the only American Idol winner with any stuff. The title song is really good.

Want my greatest regret album purchase of all time?- Red by King Crimson. A total 40 minutes of mindless noise. Just a pathetic effort. That one stays in the back of the cabinet. I also always kind of thought that The Firm mailed it in, but I bought both their albums, mainly to listen to how lazy/drug affected Jimmy Page had become.

[Fred Garvin]

This thread reminds me of the scene in Tommy Boy when they're tuning the radio and land on Superstar by The Carpenters and neither one changes the station.

BTW, I love Sonic Youth's version of that song.

Hilarious, I actually went to youtube last nite to check that out.

[Smails]

Had to bring this up...listening to Pandora radio at work (highly recommended site) and just realized that I like Tesla....yes Tesla.

[blobfan]

Enya.
Weird Al.

/thread

I think we may be related. I'm a sucker for all novelty music, not just Al. The Scotsman, Wet Dreams and Polka Dot undies are hilarious but definitely need to keep the windows closed while listening.

I also have to add disco, particularly ABBA. And Captain and Tennille. Those are the folks that brought us Muskrat Love and Love Will Keep Us Together.

The song I feel most guilty about, the one that I have to role up the windows to listen no matter how hot it is, but rarely skip when it comes up in my iPod rotation, is Shoop by Salt n Peppa. It's not so much the song. It's a good song. Fun and a bit dirty. But think about sitting at an intersection and looking in the next lane to see a chubby 30-something white chick in her minivan rapping along to SNP: That brotha had it goin with a certain kind a uh .... Lick him like a lolipop should be licked...

Guilty pleasure. Definitely.