I have great respect for older generations, but when I hear them arguing that music today isn’t as good as it was “back in the day,” I can’t help but to disagree.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of the classics from the ‘50s to the ‘70s and I agree that many songs are better left untouched by other artists. However, I believe that many older generations would appreciate music from modern artists if they gave them a chance instead of changing the station when they hear the newest hits.
Adele is a great example. When hasn’t she given an amazing, gut-wrenching performance? Let’s give that girl some props! I don’t know of any other artists who could convey her soul and true vocal vulnerability. She tells a story with her heart in every song she performs.
She’s part of a new British invasion that we can actually be proud of. I’ll plead the 5th Amendment on One Direction!
Last week on Ryan Seacrest’s Top 40 Countdown, the Top 10 hits were 1. “Stay” by Rihanna, 2. “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars, 3. “Feel This Moment” by Pitbull featuring Christina Aguilera, 4. “Suit and Tie” by Justin Timberlake featuring Jay-Z, 5. “Just Give Me A Reason” by Pink featuring Nate Ruess, the lead singer of Fun, 6. “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz, 7. “Daylight” by Maroon 5, 8. “Sweet Nothing by Calvin Harris” featuring Florence Welch, 9w. “Heart Attack” by Demi Lovato, and 10. “Don’t You Worry Child” by Swedish House Mafia.
Out of these top 10 songs, I would suggest about half of them to older audiences. By no means am I suggesting that these artists could ever replace their predecessors, but they could at least compare.
Bruno Mars might appeal to some older generations with his gentle falsetto and love ballads along with Pink’s honest and harmonic duet with Nate Ruess.
Maroon 5 has come a long way since “She Will Be Loved” which was released in 2004. While most of their songs are catchy and poppy, many of their newer songs that they are turning out are about sincere and often times complicated situations that happen in love.
Calvin Harris is also an up-and-coming artist with “Feel So Close” and now “Sweet Nothing” featuring Florence Welch. He offers up a fun dance beat with meaningful lyrics.
My last suggestion from this top ten 10 is Swedish House Mafia with “Don’t You Worry Child”. It offers up a fun and inspirational message to their listeners with an all-around great sound.
Others that didn’t make the list but are still worthy of older generations’ ears are artists like season 11 winner of American Idol, Phillip Phillips with his Mumford and Sons kind of vibe has a style of music that would appeal to a variety of generations. Along with Phillips, I would also suggest the Lumineers, Fun, Imagine Dragons, and newcomer Emeli Sande with her hit single “Next To Me.”
When I first heard Sande, I mistook her for Beyoncé without having prior knowledge of who she was. But then I was able to make the distinction and I quickly became a fan of her music.
Another artist to watch is Ed Sheeran with hits like “A Team” and “Lego House.” As my fanatic roommate would say, “He’s the best singing ginger I’ve ever heard!” If that doesn’t convince anyone to listen to him, I don’t know what else would. That has my stamp of approval written all over it.
I am a little surprised at a lot of country artists that are turning to a rap style of country songs such as Florida Georgia Line’s remix of “Cruise” with Nelly, Blake Shelton with “Boys Round Here,” and Jason Aldean with “1994”.
I think it’s more of the preteen circuit that I want to stay away from, but then again who wouldn’t, other than preteens of course.
While I appreciate many current chart-topping hits, that’s not to say that people like my parents would agree with me. If it were up to them we’d be listening to the Bee Gees or Conway Twitty. While I’ll respectfully listen, I’ll be fighting to be ah, ah, ah, ah, Stayin’ Alive, just saying.
