If I ruled the world, I would most definitely make it law throughout the planet that no one would be treated differently because of his or her taste in music.
For far too long, a dark, menacing cloud fraught with crackling judgment and down-pouring prejudice has hovered over our musically diverse world. It is a bigotry born from those who view their musical tastes as naturally superior to other forms of music, simply because of their rhythm, rhyme scheme or performer.
But as leader of the United Nations of Planet Earth, I would bring an end to “musical taste-ism.”
I grew up in the 1990s, when Britney Spears, N’Sync and the Backstreet Boys ruled the airwaves and when Christian metal bands were all the rage at youth rallies. I remember my first favorite song was “Shine” by the Newsboys, my second was “Mamma Mia” by the A-Teens (even though it was a hopeless ABBA spin-off) and my third was definitely “Blue Da Ba Dee” by Eiffel 65. On the car ride to school my parents would play any of the following: Jars of Clay, Celtic Hymns or the “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack. As we grew older, my father started slipping in Styx and Queen when my mother was out of hearing distance. So, I’ve listened to my fair share diverse genres.
I remember when I first felt the blunt force of “musical taste-ism” as a high school freshman, when I told a few classmates I did not like the Beatles.
That is right. I did not like the Beatles, nor do I like the Beatles now. I do not care for them. I think their music is boring. And I thought “Across the Universe” was stupid.
The class gasped in synchronized horror as I made my proclamation, and they never treated me the same since then, at least where music was concerned. “Yeah, but your taste in music is terrible,” has been a phrase I have heard many a time. This is something I usually do not go ranting about; do you know how many Beatles fans are out there? Do you know how many Beatles fans will get genuinely angry when you tell them I do not like the Beatles? It can be scary sometimes.
My tastes are more for the techno variety, with quick tempos and electronic beats. My latest craze is the underappreciated genre of techno opera. Not only do you have the energy and beat of techno, but you also have the classical might of opera to create a symphonic rush through your senses like no other.
I have also been judged for my strong disinterest in John Mayer, Mumford & Sons, Train and Iron & Wine. My response to criticism has always been: Why do you care what music I listen to?
While this column is a little exaggerated, there is some truth to it. As silly and juvenile as it seems, there are those who judge others based on their artistic preferences. Just because a guy follows Lady Gaga on Twitter and reads Japanese comic books does not mean he is in any way less worthy of your time. Just because a girl only listens to music with back-up dancers and pop lyrics does not mean she is any less intelligent. We all have our preferences, and we should be able to prefer them without being judged. We should all have the unabashed freedom to dislike the Beatles.
