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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder what 'classics' my generation has to offer?

146 replies

OrangeLavenders · 13/08/2020 14:43

Music wise. Just listened to yet another new release that's a pile of shit. 'Joel Corey. - Head and Heart'. Sounds the same as the last however many mainstream club music.

I'm a club classic 80's and 90's fan. I also like a lot of other stuff like Pet shop boys etc. Nothing like that has been made again. It's all completely unremarkable.

Even if my music taste doesn't suit you, surely you can agree the current generation is rubbish for music?

The only name I think I'll remember when I'm 50 odd is Adele, maybe.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Thecobwebsarewinning · 13/08/2020 17:48

When ABBA were in the charts in the 1970s no-one would have thought their songs would become classics. They were Eurovision winners for heavens sake! The epitome of throwaway pop. Little did we know.

PickAChew · 13/08/2020 17:50

I don't think younger musicians are all bland or without talent. They're not exactly mainstream but I've loved some of Kae Tempest's stuff and have been enjoying Jehnny Beth's output. A PP mentioned Idles and they're great.

Bassettgirl · 13/08/2020 17:59

Don't get me wrong, I am all about older music. But the thing about a classic is you don't know they will be one until they have left their legacy. Even I know that Taylor Swift will leave one. Most of today's music is by definition too recent.

I was born in the seventies and spent most of the 80s and 90s wondering the same as you.

2andahalfpints · 13/08/2020 18:40

Today 17:59Bassettgirl

Don't get me wrong, I am all about older music. But the thing about a classic is you don't know they will be one until they have left their legacy. Even I know that Taylor Swift will leave one. Most of today's music is by definition too recent.

I was born in the seventies and spent most of the 80s and 90s wondering the same as you.

👆🏻 This, I thought you were asking for classics from the 90s and noughties 😂

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 13/08/2020 18:51

I’ve thought of some more; Taylor Swift, Stormzy, Lizzie, the 1975, Lady Gaga... it might not be to your taste but I’m sure these will be among the classics when we look back in 20 years

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 13/08/2020 18:51

Lizzo not Lizzie ffs

woodhill · 13/08/2020 19:08

Prefer Thin Lizzy😊

namitynamechange · 13/08/2020 19:33

Its more complicated than purely generational though, because for example I associate Ella Fitzgerald with the fifties, but actually she started out way before that and continued well into the 80s. SO some artists that started out in the early 2000s but are still making music today might be looked back on in 50 years time as classics of the 2010s/2020s .
Also though "classics" are often looked at with a historical lens and often the ones that are most remembered are those that reflect political changes/the zeitgeist of the time (I think theres a law that Bob Dillons "the times they are a changing" has to be played in any documentary about the 60s.) The 2020s are shaping up to be an urrmmm, interesting decade so it will be interesting to see how music reflects that.

namitynamechange · 13/08/2020 19:37

And actually 80s dance/the Pet Shop Boys/Bronski beat etc are a key part of that because whilst the songs are melodic and easy to dance to etc, they are also linked to changing attitudes to homosexualtiy/other social issues etc which are a key part of how the eighties is remembered.

Original poster
OrangeLavenders · 13/08/2020 19:38

I can't believe someone had said LGrinittle Mix

So when do we think the radios will stop playing current 'classics' and play things that were popular 5 years ago from today?

Because surely the likes of 80's disco will stop being appealing eventually?

OP posts:
dazzlinghaze · 13/08/2020 19:38

I think Taylor Swift will absolutely stand the test of time. I'm thinking Harry Styles will too although he's not had enough of his own stuff out to know for sure.

enigma16 · 13/08/2020 19:42

OP, what do you consider to be 'classic' and standing the test of time? Let's hear it!

namitynamechange · 13/08/2020 19:46

@orangelavenders it depends on the radio station and the tastes/demographic of their listeners. SO... radio one is more likely to play stuff from the last 5 years or so, radio two is more likely to play music from a bit before then or music which sounds like its from a bit before then and radio three will play stuff from 200 years ago. Then you have dor example a dad-rock radio stations playing a load of stuff from the 70s (although maybe that should be grandad-rock now) as well as more recent stuff. I dont think people will just stop liking 80s stuff, in the same way people havent stopped liking stuff from the 60s or earlier.

Original poster
OrangeLavenders · 13/08/2020 19:49

engima Okay, a little list...

West end girls, everybody wants to rule the world, I wanna dance with somebody, you got the love, don't stop the music, like a virgin, papa don't preach, borderline, let's dance, you're the one for me (D Train), I feel love, my girl, build me up buttercup, just the way you are, locomotion, I'm coming out, I can make you feel good, rhythm is a dancer, chakha Khan, I love you baby, praise you.

I could go on x

OP posts:
GellerYeller · 13/08/2020 20:08

I suspect it will be the odd song that has longevity, Uptown Funk, Happy, some Beyonce or Adele, that sort of thing. I've got early teens and they just consume music differently. So Spotify will suggest things they might like. Consequently their play lists include Abba, Eagles, Beatles through to My Chemical Romance, Weezer, Eminem, Taylor Swift, Ariana etc. Not all from their generation for sure. Billie Eilish is another universally liked here. Thanks to Panic! At the Disco they discovered Sinatra!

Bassettgirl · 13/08/2020 20:09

OP your list was just catchy music when it came out. Nobody knew Rhythm is a Dancer would be a future classic. Well, I didn't!

I don't think radio stations will stop playing eighties pop just as they didn't stop playing sixties pop.

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 13/08/2020 20:09

Those are all good songs but to be honest there is nothing more tedious than people who think that all music nowadays is rubbish. There’s good music out there, some in the charts, some more unknown, but there are plenty of talented artists out there if you actually look for them.

Cam2020 · 13/08/2020 20:13

Coldplay
Greenday
Foo fighters
Arctic monkeys

Love these and I'd add Kings of Leon to the list, but they're all getting on a bit now. Maybe not Arctics so much, but the others are all into middle age. I can't think of any new bands post 2010 of that same calibre.

Wingingitsince2018 · 13/08/2020 20:15

Kendrick Lamar

annabel85 · 13/08/2020 20:15

It depends what genre you like.

If you like N this N that Rap then loads. Otherwise precious little.

Buttybach · 13/08/2020 20:18

I blame Simon cowell!

Even though he came from a manufacturered band Harry Styles is really growing on me musically. I was a teen in the 90s so have taste like nirvana, pearl jam, etc I also love lots of classics like fleetwood Mac and Johnny cash.

There are a few musicians now that are excellent like Adele and Ed Sheehan that will likely be classic musicians of the future

Wingingitsince2018 · 13/08/2020 20:19

Also, whilst Little Mix may not ever be a classic, wheb they come on the radio in 10 years time you will belt it out and still know every word.

As I did today to a Sugababes song 🎵

annabel85 · 13/08/2020 20:22

@Cam2020

*Coldplay Greenday Foo fighters Arctic monkeys*

Love these and I'd add Kings of Leon to the list, but they're all getting on a bit now. Maybe not Arctics so much, but the others are all into middle age. I can't think of any new bands post 2010 of that same calibre.

New mainstream Rock bands seem to have died a death since the early 2000s. It's always the older acts headlining.

It seems to be all solo artists these days, the Ed Sheeran generation.

PlinkPlink · 13/08/2020 20:23

@LakieLady

I'm the same.

Absolutely adore 80s stuff but was born in 88.

Alot of stuff out now just doesn't have that same classic/legendary status. To me anyway 😂

Never again will there be a band like Duran Duran.

Buttybach · 13/08/2020 20:23

I also think it's partly to do with the fact that music is so "throwaway" now when I was a teen in the 90s you would save up for a CD and it came with the lyrics in the booklet. You would listen to every single song not just the chart releases. Alanis morisettes jagged little pill was like a bible to my mopey teenage ass!
Also rage against the machine and all the nirvana albums. I recall driving 4 hours when my grandmother died and my parents were gracious enough to let me play all the albums swear words and all!