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Cringing at music you once loved…

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Have you ever overdosed on a particular artist/band/musical genre? Is it possible to rekindle the flame for a particular album you once held so dear? I’m not so sure…

…a particular song can be associated with a particular memory, and in truth, that’s probably what’s making today so enjoyable…

Since I can remember, I’ve always loved listening to music, mainly leaning towards rock/metal (although I love all genres… well,  nearly all!).

Most of my friends would recall I spent a large chunk of my youth sporting a white vest, blue jeans, even wearing a fake moustache and buck teeth, all in the aim to look and “sing” like Freddie Mercury. I cringe at the thought now, especially recalling my GCSE music exam – having to record and submit a video rendition of “I Want to Break Free”, where all participants, myself at the helm, re-enacted that video…

Musical overdose

I’ve always had a tendency to overdose on a particular band, artist, even a song. As mentioned above, I was (and still am) a huge fan of Queen, particularly their early career. Today, I’m having a somewhat reminiscent day, diving through my music collection, playing albums and tracks from artists who I openly admit I embraced with open arms, who’s music I severely overdosed on.

Some of these songs/albums just don’t do it for me any more. Maybe overplaying them throughout the years has had a negative affect on me, or maybe the songs were just poor in the first place… I don’t know. What I do know, is that I’m sat here, enjoying working through my music collection, asking myself “Did I really buy this!?” or “What was I thinking?!“. The joy of listening to music though, is that a particular song or album can be associated with a particular memory, and in truth, that’s probably what’s making today so enjoyable.

Am I wrong to cringe at these…

I thought I’d share with you some of the songs in my music collection that caused me to raise an eyebrow at my own musical taste. Yes, I purchased these songs originally and yes, I seriously overdosed on them, but I’m just not sure if I can ever enjoy them in the same way as I once did.

Some are guitar based classics, some aren’t. Regardless, here’s a few tracks that give you an insight into my neurotic love of music. Enjoy?….

Jellyfish – Album: Bellybutton

OK, so the track below “The King is Half Undressed” is a song I still love and is the sole reason I purchased the album “Bellybutton”. Listening to the album today though, I thoroughly cringed recalling the many hot summer nights of my youth singing into the mirror pretending to be the lead singer. I’m so embarrassed!

Huey Lewis & The News – Happy To Be Stuck With You

Sick. Sick. Sick! OK… so, who didn’t want to be Marty McFly back in the day? And I’m still a fan of “Power of Love”, but playing parts of the album “Fore!” today gave me a serious wake up call to the fact that I won’t be reaching 88mph in a DeLorean any time soon.

Stan Ridgway – Camouflage

Loved hearing this today! In truth, I still like this track, but I couldn’t help cringe at how dated it sounds. I used to love this song so much when I was a kid. Still, an interesting story in the song, but it sounds a bit too “yeee haaaa” for me now. “Woaaahhh Camouflage…“.

Betty Boo – Doin’ The Do

Don’t ask. I even learnt the Boo Rap… “If you can’t take the heat, get out the kitchen“… Blimey.

Eagles – Desperado

Don’t get wrong, I’m a fan of The Eagles, but this track rots my brain. I overdosed way too much on this song. Sorry!

Jimi Hendrix – Crosstown Traffic

In my mind, Hendrix is one of, if not the greatest electric guitarist ever. However, this song is just one of many examples of his “Experience” years that I simply struggle to listen to now. Influential and ground-breaking in many ways, I seriously overdosed on Jimi a few years back, so much so his “Band of Gypsy’s” line up is really the only way I like to listen to Hendrix these days. It’s a shame, maybe one day I’ll grow to like his earlier material again. I hope so.

Starship – Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now

I listened to this and almost died at the thought that I own it. I much prefer their early career… “White Rabbit”!

Camel – Air Born

Andrew Latimer is a great guitarist, no doubt. He even cries when he plays. This track is one that I literally used to adore, and I still do in many ways. Good melody, but that flute does my head in!

Cliff Richard – Wired For Sound

Er…. yes I own some Cliff. I’ve mentioned in a previous blog post that one of my earliest memories is having “Rock n Roll Juvenile” thrust into my hand as an early birthday present. Some of Cliff’s tunes, should be pushed off a cliff. Just saying.

Remy Zero – Save Me

I’m a shameless Smallville fan, but this song is almost as cheesy as Babybel.

Limahl – Never Ending Story

Awesome haircut. I almost deleted this off my MP3 player today, but decided to keep it at the 11th hour. Weird film too – it used to give me nightmares, with that rabid wolf chasing the kid – freaked me for years.

So there you have it, a brief look at some of the songs that I played today. I cringe at the thought that I was completely obsessed by them, and for some of the songs above, I hope I can embrace them again at some point in the future. I think I may need another 15 year hiatus before that can happen though.

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About the author:

Sam is passionate about talking all things guitar related and started GuitarJar.co.uk to help encourage all guitarists in their guitar playing journey.

1 Comment

  • Great article! I’d completely forgotten Camouflage! Fantastic!

    I love cringe-worthy music. I make no apologies for being a former member of the Transvision Vamp fan club. And much as I love Led Zep, Planty is right to cringe at his lyrics.

    But even I would draw the line at Starship. Ms. Slick deserves a slap for that. At least you didn’t link to We Built This City…

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