Overly pleading folks, (musicians, esp. young singers) getting up my nose!

grahamg

Old codger
I've been feeling this way about most "pop music" churned out for quite a while now, and if you can understand what I'm objecting to it is the way singers appear to wish to convince everyone just how sincerely they love everyone, and they raise their admittedly strong voices to crescendos belting out these overly pleading lyrics.

I cant be bothered to find you an example of this, mainly because I believe almost all the songs I unfortunately encounter encroaching upon even BBC radio two nowadays, (once the preserve of all the very high class singers from the UK, US and elsewhere across the globe).

In general those over pleading whatever it is they're choosing to put out there, (even those pesky "so called mates" I go on about so often), is far too common a trait isn't it, and where will it all end, everyone trying to kid everyone ele just how much they love us all, (when in truth they're completely indifferent at best!)?

There used to be a tv show here, with two great comic actors (or clever comedians, cant think of the correct term for them), called Mel Smith, and Gryff Rhys Jones, and a show called "Not the nine o'clock news" was one of the first very popular shows where they excelled along with some other great actors.

In their shows they would have a section where their two heads were facing one another, almost in silhouette, and each in turn would come out with something completely stupid, and then try to defend whatever it was when the ridiculousness of it was being shown by the other one,...., I believe their targets were often those being overly pleading, or "Pretentious P****"!

I'm sure I'll offend many on this thread again, but there you go!
 

I've been feeling this way about most "pop music" churned out for quite a while now, and if you can understand what I'm objecting to it is the way singers appear to wish to convince everyone just how sincerely they love everyone, and they raise their admittedly strong voices to crescendos belting out these overly pleading lyrics.

I cant be bothered to find you an example of this, mainly because I believe almost all the songs I unfortunately encounter encroaching upon even BBC radio two nowadays, (once the preserve of all the very high class singers from the UK, US and elsewhere across the globe).

In general those over pleading whatever it is they're choosing to put out there, (even those pesky "so called mates" I go on about so often), is far too common a trait isn't it, and where will it all end, everyone trying to kid everyone ele just how much they love us all, (when in truth they're completely indifferent at best!)?

There used to be a tv show here, with two great comic actors (or clever comedians, cant think of the correct term for them), called Mel Smith, and Gryff Rhys Jones, and a show called "Not the nine o'clock news" was one of the first very popular shows where they excelled along with some other great actors.

In their shows they would have a section where their two heads were facing one another, almost in silhouette, and each in turn would come out with something completely stupid, and then try to defend whatever it was when the ridiculousness of it was being shown by the other one,...., I believe their targets were often those being overly pleading, or "Pretentious P****"!

I'm sure I'll offend many on this thread again, but there you go!
I like that you give so much thought to matters.
 
I like that you give so much thought to matters.
On my one trip to the USA I overheard an older guy in a bar talking to his mate about the prospects for the younger generation, and I thought he showed greater concern than I'd managed to that date.

In the end the young will do whatever they decide they will do, but the ruthless pursuit of self interest, (and the promotion of such thinking) does worry me nowadays, though my own father did tell me when I was a child or youngish man, "Its everyman for himself in this world" so maybe things haven't changed so much as I'm imagining. :unsure:
 

This doesn't really fit into this thread, but I came across it recently in a local magazine and thought it might amuse someone:
"Future Generations"

"Over the years we have often hosted work experience students on our farm as part of their education, and during their work with us I learn at least as much, if not more, than they do.

I have always taught our children to eat as much as they can when not at home and I am aware that other parents may follow a similar policy so the students begin their day at 9.00am that way we do not have to feed them breakfast, as they can eat quite a lot. They usually stay for afternoon milking and go home for supper, so that is another meal saved. Incidentally, some students arrive on that Monday morning used to having two sugars in coffee, by dinner time on that day, with a little guidance from me, they no longer take sugar in coffee or any other hot beverage, another expense saved.

By half past nine Monday morning I know what sort of week I am in for, it could be looking quiet with a non-speaking student or noisy with a non-stop speaking student. We can only maim a certain number of them before awkward questions are asked and some are so full of confidence they do not always see an approaching accident, either with an animal or a machine. By the same token some students lack confidence and ned the necessary encouragement to have a go at worm drenching lambs, for instance.

I remember a few years ago me and a very keen lad sorting out some cattle prior to the great spring turnout. We were working at an out barn where in olden times cows were tethered during winter months. Dangling from the roof was a hook where my predecessor had hung the storm lamp while they fed and cleaned out the cows during the very short daylight hours. My student, who had a question every thirty seconds or so, naturally asked, “What’s that uck for?”. “That” I said, “is where the chap who used to artificially inseminate the cows hung his trousers while he was here.” An unusual silence ensued. The students are required to keep a diary of what they get involved in and I heard on the grapevine that entry went around the staffroom a time or two.

I remember one young lady student being fascinated by my using an electric knife to slice some bread one dinner time as she had never encountered such a high-tech piece of equipment. I also remember her bringing fresh baking everyday (I drive a hard bargain) as part of the deal which it turned out, was supplied by her granny. She became a fully qualified, highly paid vet, (the student not the granny), who now has regular skiing holidays. I wonder if she h an electric knife? I have often thought that particular student’s granny would have made very good work experience staff, not only could she bake, but she could also have hoovered a but whilst I had my dinner.

During pregnancy the mummy cow’s fourth stomach, the abomasum, is partly pushed out of the way by the uterus. After calving the abomasum will fall back into place and all is well. Very occasionally the abomasum can fill with gas, (we have one or two a year) and is unable to get back to where it should be meaning mummy cow has discomfort and is unable to eat properly, this cannot be tolerated for obvious reasons.

At great expense the vet is called and the stethoscope is involved to confirm the peasants diagnosis. The next step is to sedate the cow so she can be sat down, rolled onto her back, the gas released and the abomasum toggled back into place. It is an instant fix. By the time the vet has drained his coffee cup, polished off the ginger biscuits, whispered the words skiing trip and sung a verse of “We’re in the money”, the cows has her appetite back. Brilliant.

Once the cow is sedated persuading her to sit down is a very smart rope trick that only vets understand, just a little tug and she sits down, nothing to it. We once had a very quiet but enthusiastic student helping with his job. He was stood next to the cow as the vet gave the little tug on the rope but on this occasion the cow took exception to the plan and took off down the field pulling the rope tight around the unsuspecting students legs and promptly dragging him off down the field, much to his, the vets, and probably the cows surprise. I was not at all surprised, after many years of agriculture disasters it takes a lot to surprise me. The student let out a long string of expletives as he went down the field (which did surprise me) and I remain convinced it was the longest sentence he used that week, luckily, he was none the worse and we went on to toggle the cow successfully.

The vet wondered if we should put that escapade in the accident book, but I did point out that the bleeding had almost stopped, and the student was likely to keep both legs. Our accident book is a bit like the new unopened hospital on “Yes Prime Minister” – unused and best left that way.

Maybe I should have ben teacher,…."
 
I've been feeling this way about most "pop music" churned out for quite a while now, and if you can understand what I'm objecting to it is the way singers appear to wish to convince everyone just how sincerely they love everyone, and they raise their admittedly strong voices to crescendos belting out these overly pleading lyrics.
I don't think singer's lyrics tell us any more about them than an actor's lines in a movie tell us about the actor her/himself. They just sing what they think we will buy.

For example does anyone really believe Johnny Cash "walked the line"? Maybe later in life with June, but not really him. Great song though, we would all like to think that we walk the line...

What 'Walk the Line' Got Wrong About Johnny Cash and June Carter
 
You can tell a lot about a person by the song lyrics they hate. My husband was always offended by the line in the great blues ballad, "When A Man Loves a Woman," the one where they sing "He'll spend his very last dime." I should have seen that for a red flag. That and the candy bar he got me for my birthday that first year.
 

Overly pleading folks, (musicians, esp. young singers) getting up my nose!


They should be forced to perform (if that's the word) somewhere remote where they wouldn't annoy anyone, like in the middle of the Sahara Desert, or a nice spot on the moon (the dark side of course). 😊
 
With rap music having become such a dominant and sadly popular force, true musicianship is almost an increasing rarity. At what are often presented as concerts or performances, I see the lead rapper come out bristling with attitude and covered with neck chains and tattoos, proceeding to spew rapid-fire lyrics laced with expletives while scantily-clad background dancers twitch and jerk in a suggestive fashion…Don’t look, Ethel! Remember when Elvis and The Beatles scandalized folks? I miss the 60’s…*sighs* 😿
 
A lot of singers today really can't sing but try, and in trying they try too hard and that's what it sounds like. They are straining. Then there are Sinatra ,Peggy Lee and Doris Day, plus others in their day. Relaxed vocalization with style.
 
But then again, there is Jonathan Antoine, who won Britain's Got Talent at age 17. Here is one of his performances that I particularly like: (Please give it a listen...it's worth your time!)
 
But then again, there is Jonathan Antoine, who won Britain's Got Talent at age 17. Here is one of his performances that I particularly like: (Please give it a listen...it's worth your time!)

This girl can sing okay, or very well, but just look at the "sugaring up" going on, (before she starts its even worse as she tells the head judge he's a legend too, but I've cut that part to save everyone the extreme dose of "overly/special pleading" etc.):

 
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I don't think singer's lyrics tell us any more about them than an actor's lines in a movie tell us about the actor her/himself. They just sing what they think we will buy.
For example does anyone really believe Johnny Cash "walked the line"? Maybe later in life with June, but not really him. Great song though, we would all like to think that we walk the line...

What 'Walk the Line' Got Wrong About Johnny Cash and June Carter
When I listened to Johnny Cash singing I believed every word regardless of whether there was any truth in it or he was just using poetic licence,, he just grabbed me that way! :)
 


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