On Demand
Your Secret iPod Shame Revealed!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
(iDJ/Flickr)
Leave a comment about the songs you’re most embarrassed about having on your mp3 player. Don’t worry, you can use an alias. And you'll probably be defended on-air by New York Times pop music critic Kelefa Sanneh, who says there's no such thing as a musical shame.
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I have some very saccharine stuff that brings a feeling of ironic joy to my heart!
Not sure if I'm more embarrassed by the Bangles' "Eternal Flame" or Jackie DeShannon's "What the World Needs Now is Love"
And then there's the Carpenters...
this question annoys me. I object to the tyranny of the so-called "discriminating." You can love mac and cheese at the same time you love having dinner at Taillevent without closeting yourself, can't you?
For David Cruz,
Like you, I love the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and I think Jeff Lynne is a pop music genius. However, unlike you, I wouldn't be ashamed to have ELO on my Ipod . . . if I had one. Long live vinyl . . . but CD's are OK.
There are so many guilty pleasures on my iPod, I wouldn't know where to begin. I'm not sure if I should be more embarrassed by the Annie movie soundtrack, the multiple Spice Girls albums, or the fact that I try to overcompensate by downloading lots of 'high-brow' world music cover my tracks. There have been occassions while listening to my iPod library with friends (using a dock) that I've hit 'shuffle' instead of selecting a 'pre-censored' playlist, only to run across the room to skip a song that I'm too embarrassed to share with them. Who would guess something as basic as sharing a favorite, silly song would cause such anxiety...and explosive laughter when you're exposed :)
I listen smugly to Elvis, live, miffing his lines in "Are You Lonesome Tonight?". The King, singing in Las Vegas, is apparently narcotized or something because he gets into a giggling fit fot the remaining two minutes of the song. The Las Vegas backing band and backing vocalists stay on script, making it into a 2 minute instrumental where one of the instruments is a white-suited Elvis, laughing continuously.
I feel guilty because I am laughing at him to make myself feel superior.
I'm more annoyed that "iPod" is used as a generic name for ALL mp3 players. Anyway, I've got lounge; space age, martini, crime scene, you name it, on my device. :D
The only reason people think there is such a thing as "guilty pleasures" is because of media critics. The only music that brings embarrassment to me were those that I felt intimidated by music critics into patronising, like Patti Smith, Lou Reed, Pat Martino and others of that ilk. That said, if anyone likes these artists, it's OK with me.
10CC, Wall Street Shuffle
Gretchen Wilson, Here for the Party
NPR, It's All Politics podcast
There's no shame in my game. Pilot's "Magic"--a '70s AM radio staple--happily shares space with Miles, Aretha, Bach and Mary J. There's "Wildfire" by Michael Murphy, Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf," the Carpenters' "Close to You" and so on and so on. . . .
I think that the idea of guilty pleasures has been created simply because people are overly self concious about what they like and wear,tht they feel they can not openly express what it is that they actuallt like because they may look "uncool" I think that that is simply a load of... well you get what I mean. In my opinion if there was none of this, then there would be no guilty pleasures and everyone would be free to say and show off what they like
I don't have an IPOD. I don't intend to get an IPOD.
Whoever came up with this segment is part of the whole process called The Dumming down of
America.
Perhaps Mr Lehrer was told to increase his 18-30 age group of listeners. I can think of no other reason for him to agree to this type of programming. How awful.
I have a lot of music for my almost 2 year old daughter on my iPod so when that comes on in the middle of my "cool" adult playlist, it can be kind of embarrassing like The Wonder Pets coming on right after Wilco or Raffi after The Raconteurs or Free To Be You and Me after Franz Ferdinand.
As far as songs I intentionally put on my iPod that are "guilty pleasures," that would be any corny or totally overplayed song that I downloaded because it only cost a buck and I never had a good excuse/chance to buy before like Bette Midler's "I Think It's Gonna Rain," Gnarls Barkley, "Crazy," or Justin Timberlake, "Rock Your Body."
Oh and the entire Hall & Oates discography- I can't help it- I love them!
Paula Abdul's "Promise of a New Day" (a soaring number that if Rufus Wainwright redid it would be an acceptable hit) . . .
The Hillary Duff song ("Come Clean") from the Laguna Beach MTV show . . .
"Seasons Of Love" and "Another Day" from the Rent soundtrack (however, I draw the line at "Light My Candle," which is just silly) . . .
ZZ Top's "Tush" (sadly, no one "gets" this song) . . .
Also, while I appreciate some commenters' "I'm OK, You're OK" outlook, I think guilty pleasures are there not necessarily because of condescending record store clerks but rather because we as a culture agree generally that there is such thing as "good taste" -- and if we didn't have that, not only would we be lost as a society but Sofia Coppola herself probably would cease to exist -- and are you ready for that? I didn't think so.
OK, not P-C, but I have "Me So Horny" by 2 Live Crew, that and "Isla Bonita" by Madonna.
These musicians top the list...
Ace Of Base
Basia
Rin'
:-)
I actually have 3 live bootleg recordings of the song "Seasons in the Sun" -- one by Terry Jacks, one by some obscure folk artist at an open mike and the other by a punk band.
I'm 16 and my friends would punch me in the arm if they knew I had Lionel Richie's "Hello" on my iPod. I remember my mom used to play it when I was younger and even though I'm not supposed to like cheesy pop songs from before I was born I do like that one. I'm not usually very sentimental but sometimes I like music for reasons that I just can't rationalize.
Canadian content
Sexyback by Justin Timberlake. Oh, the horror.
Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Alone Again, Naturally"
AND
Tanya Tucker's "Delta Dawn"
Afternoon Delight, Papa Was a Rollin' Stone, anything KC and the Sunshine Band, I could SO go on...
Kylie Minogue because I'm a sucker for Australian pop music
and
Israeli Folk and classic rock songs
Elvis did not miff his lines in "Are You Lonesome Tonight". I think he realized that he could not perform something so sensitive as the spoken portion of this song in front of a live audience, and made it into a joke instead. It wasn't the last time he'd do it, either. And although I'm not a big Elvis fan, I'm not embarrassed to say that I have visited Graceland - just to see how the other half lived. I visited during xmas week in 1991, and enjoyed seeing people from other countries dressed in their white jump-suits (I don't own one).
Britney Spears "Toxic" ... the dance re-mix no less!! I'm always afraid to turn it up too loud on the subway lest my neighbor pick up on the thumping beats.
Creed. What could be more embarassing that alternative Christian Rock?
okay....the little mermaid soundtrack. i have to say i belt out "under the sea" and "les poussins", and yes i am an adult. but i dont hide it!
None of the comments here hardly mention "shame in their Ipod, except maybe for BenInBrooklyn & Name Withheld So As Not To Appear Like Such A Dork. They just mention the music that, I presume, they like, and hence in their respective Ipods, which should be no shame nor guilty pressure. With that said, a few "guilty pleasures" in my Ipod are Barbie Doll by Aqua, few songs by The Jets (yeah, remember them), a few melodramatic songs, Sentimental Lady by Bob Welch, Sometimes When We Touch by Dan Hill, theme song from Ice Castles by Melissa Manchester. Oh wait, that pretty much constitutes the songs in IPOD. I guess the whole concept of the Ipod is to satisfy our guilty pleasures.
"Come Sail Away," by Styx.
I think that Sophia Coppola is indirectly responsible, since she included this song in her film "The Virgin Suicides" and it got stuck in my head. Could Mr. Sanneh offer any guidance on how guilty pleasures sneak into people's brains, and possibly some methods of defense?
1812 Symphony. The lowest firm of classical music - but hard to avoid being elated when you hear it.
Lots and lots and lots of Mariah Carey, which I'm not so much ashamed of, but who my friends pick on me relentlessly for being a fan of.
I've got Kylie Minogue too, but since I'm a Doctor Who fan it's not so uncool in my opinion anymore. Oh and the Doctor Who podcast for three episodes that haven't aired in the US yet.
I will never be ashamed of Duran Duran.
"dick in a box" by timberlake and andy samberg.
OMG. There are so many.
- Muskrat Love (Captain and Tennille)
- The Devil went down to Georgia (Charlie Daniels Band)
- You may be right (Billy Joel)
Just a sample of my heinous nostalgia.
Culture Club - Time
DAP (Digital Audio Player) is the term of choice, please. Not iPod. iPod is a specific product.
seriously nothing on my ipod is shameful- many others might disagree but i certainly don't justify my music to anyone
RICK ASTLEY'S GREATEST HITS!
I have downloaded three songs from the Xanadu soundtrack including Magic by Olivia Newton John after seeing the broadway musical. It is now on my "most played" list on my Ipod!
You suck! ELO is nothing to be ashamed of! now Poco & Styx... THAT'S something to hide!
I leave my ipod on random and I've got some Mob hits that play really loud in the beginning but its still embarrasing. when i freak out to lower them!
i love xanadu, and i don't care who knows
I listen to you via Itunes stream. A friend once downloaded several Rick Sringfield tunes while I was not looking. I definitely don't want my cooler friends seeing that on my ipod. Love your show. Listen everyday. Jamie in Atlanta
c'mon Wildfire is an awesome song....don't be a hata
That Bread song is amazing, just like guitar man which had is even better. How about 10cc "i'm not in love" so good!
I love to play and hear Persian Classical music but find myself lowering or stopping it whenever I am in public or with friends. not because of fear (Iran-axis) just unwarranted and understood shame. why?
please keep off my name.
I'm not particularly ashamed of these songs but my friends have raised some concerns...
Three Lions by Lightning Seeds, Baddiel, and Skinner - this is the anthem for England football (soccer) team in Euro 96.
Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion
I am not ashamed to say one of my odd favorites is the Best of the Mills Brothers.
I bought LCD Soundsystem's last album through iTunes (even though I disliked the previous album) because of all the hype surrounding its release.
I get embarrassed listening to the Wu Tang Clan sometimes because I am so not tough and don't understand that world.
How much is Apple paying you?
http://www.wnyc.org/search/?q=ipod&start=0
I have to admit, I adore Neil Diamond! In my teens in the 90s, this was very un-cool, particularly loving his B-movie, "The Jazz Singer." But as I got to know more singer-songwriters, I realized how respected he is as an artist. Back in the day, before I was even born, Neil Diamond was The Man, and I now re-proclaim that proudly!
I can't get you outta my head (old disco thing)
We are family
anything by cool and the gang
I agree with Kalefa's Junior High theory--I've gone back to the music I listened to then, like Duran Duran and Culture Club and I still listen to old Prince stuff and really old school Hip Hop from back then...it's the music that resonates with me the most and stays with me.
Also the idea of being ashamed of not liking certain critically-acclaimed music is an interesting one. I have tried really, really hard to like The Arcade Fire, and they're on my iPod, but I can't get past Win's singing voice.
Will Shortz, from the NY Times, was interviewed by John Shaefer and he admitted that ELO was his favorite band. Wear it loud and proud!
I have Disney's Greatest Hits on my Ipod. I try to convince myself that I put them on for my baby, as I play my ipod from a dock when I bathe him. But..."The Circle of Life" never fails to choke me up when I sing along. My husband thinks it's hilarious!
Hey Julia, I'm with you. I'm a middle-aged Black boomer who carries Wichita Lineman on my ipod.
It's not so much that I'm ashamed of liking any particular genre or musicians, I'm embarassed of how I sometimes will listeen to one song over and over. It's like an addiction. Months later, I'll come back to the song and find that my earlier overdose has spoiled it. I think that it must be like those people who tell you they can never enjoy a margarita because they got sick off of them once. My most embarassing song addiction- Kelly Clarkson's "Since you've been gone."
Shame on you radio guys for being so closed-minded about Glen Campbell. He had some great songs. Look beyond the style--you'll learn something.
So called (hee-hee) guilty pleasures seem practically a requirement for hipsterdom now. I find the whole premise of this show disingenuous.
two words: The Eagles
you know i looked at a book called "Art USA Now" from the 60s - 2 volumes of pix of works of visual artists then beloved by hip sorts - only a handfull of them remains relevant - so much for what the groovoids think! chacun a son gout
When did Apple buy WNYC? I thought that my membership dollars bought WNYC back from the city a few years ago - I guess it was actually Steve Jobs who made that purchase.
Over 250 people died in Iraq today in one of the most coordinated attacks to date. (I know people die in Iraq everyday and that's such a downer.) But I'm glad you were able to find time for some more iadvertising!
To Robert, Really, David, & others who would be posting similar comments like what they just had posted -- LIGHTEN UP & GET A LIFE! What do you suggest WNYC should run in their program? And where (what PC) are you people posting these comments, Dell, IBM, Microsoft PC's? You have no proble giving your money to Bill Gates, Dell, & Sam Palmisano, but purchasing or just the mere mentioning of Ipod is considered advertising to Apple?!? I suppose, you would prefer patronizing the pharmaceutical companies (since you guys are probably on Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Litihium, etc.). Stop being "intellectual" snobs, you're no better than anyone else.
Rihanna - S.O.S.
I imagine this is very popular with exotic dancers.
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