Remember the kisses

I read this post on Dimitra’s blog earlier today. And then I looked at this discussion, which was the starting point. And guess what? I didn’t really care much about any of it.

I mean, it strikes me that the discussions have been held before (and will inevitably be held again). I remember having similar discussions on the Sinister list over a decade ago, when I was working out that last section for Young And Foolish – my definitions of Pop and so forth. I’m sure that others of generations even older than mine (yes! Really!) had very similar discussions too. Maybe beneath the shadow of the Westway or in the dappled sunlight of Laurel Canyon. Who knows?

The thing is, it’s an argument that will never be won. There isn’t even a common ground to fight over. People bring their own understandings to all forms of art and entertainment. The ‘meaning’ of something is always subject to the context of the consumer, which is why there is no one truth. It’s even more the case in this multiply fractured cultural world we inhabit now. Which is perhaps why some people seem determined to pretend that a single, violently imposed point of view is so desirable.

But Pop music? Meh, just like what you like and don’t waste energy on what you don’t. You’ll remember the kisses and the way her/his hand felt in yours a lot more strongly than you’ll remember any group or record anyway. It’s the humanity at the core of it all that counts, not any labels or ‘scenes’ or ‘movements’ or any such mediated shtick.

Comments

[Dimitra]

By the way, I didn't join the discussion because I thought I could convince anyone. It was a vote of confidence for Roque more than anything else.

Plus, I had an essay to write, and I can procrastinate like nobody's business...

[me]

Oh i didn't think that you did join the discussion for that reason, and i felt that the whole 'a-z' approach took it outside of the 'argument'/'discussion' form anyway (but what happened to 't'?!). I just kinda feel bored with the need to define anything within the music sphere - be it 'indiepop' or anything else. Doesn't mean I won't be classifying things madly for the rest of my life, but ah, in the end it's all nonsense really and like i say, it's the kisses you'll remember in the end... And those moments transcend the music. Always have, always will.

As for procrastination, well, i'm pretty adept at that myself :)