I hope that when Janis Joplin went to blooz heaven, she got her Mercedes-Benz. And if God is in the business of handing out cars, I’d like an Audi Q5, please. Blue.
Rock
James Taylor
James Taylor is the epitome of the “sensitive white guy” school of rock. Also known as the “music I would happily never listen to for the rest of my life, ever” school of rock. (Bonus points for having Joni Mitchell sing backup on “You’ve Got a Friend,” because, you know … Joni Mitchell.)
Heavy Metal
My friend Marcy, a big metal-head, was furious the year that Jethro Tull won the Grammy for best heavy metal group back in the late 80s. “Jethro Tull? NOT! METAL!” she shouted to anyone who would listen. I don’t know much about metal, but I’m pretty sure that any group that has flute as a lead instrument doesn’t qualify.
Hall & Oates
Fun facts about Hall & Oates: 1) They once appeared on an album cover in full make-up—because, why not?; 2) They are the first group to take a song containing the word “b***h” all the way to #1; 3) My friend Chuck is a dead ringer for Oates (also, Cat “Peace Train/Kill Salman Rushdie” Stevens), which might explain his intense and possibly unhealthy passion for the group; and 4) They’ve been together 40 years, and still no one is exactly sure what Oates does.
Groove Instrumental
Alternately known as “bachelor pad music,” which implies “music for straight dudes.” As a gay man, I guess my soundtrack is supposed to include Madonna or Judy Garland—but I’d rather listen to “Grazing in the Grass” any day.
Grateful Dead
Bleccch. I know, I live near San Francisco—I’ve been to the Greek Theater! Many times!—and just … bleccch.
Glam
For all the bad things one can say about the 70s (and as a child of the 70s, I’ve got a laundry list from here to Alabama), one good thing from that era was male rockers feeling comfortable performing in makeup and outfits that even RuPaul would dismiss as “too gaudy.” Come to think of it, that might be the best thing to say about the 70s.
Girl Groups
Things I resent, part 1: Being born in the mid 60s, I was a couple of years too late to hear these songs on top 40 radio all the time. WOULD IT KILL SOMEONE TO WRITE A HAPPY SONG ONCE IN A WHILE? (Not you, Pharrell … you did your job … thanks.)
Garage/Surf
Because I like to make things up, I always thought “garage” rock and “surf” rock were pretty much the same thing. Now that I am more educated, I know they are quite different—surf is more guitar-heavy, with generally no lyrics, while garage is more drum-heavy, with lyrics that don’t make any sense. I’m keeping them lumped together, though, under the category “Songs that were played at every frat party I ever attended.”
Frank Zappa
Given how much I like the weird and unusual in music, you’d think I’d be a huge Frank Zappa fan. Truth be told, the only Zappa song I know is “Valley Girl” from the 80s. At least I have the decency to be embarrassed about that.
Playlist of the Day 