i like miley and i don’t care who knows it

musicFebruary 12, 2009Comments: 5

I like Miley Cyrus’ music. There I’ve said it. In public even. And even though I’m sure to be judged by it, I don’t care. Why? Because I love music for the sake of music.

I’ve always thought it silly that people judge music by the image of the artist. Or their age, for that matter. Like you can only like Miley if you’re a teenager. Why? A good song is a good song. A good singer is a good singer.

Too many people listen to music with a closed mind and a preconceived notion of what they should be listening to. If they like rap, they can’t listen to country. If they like metal, they can’t enjoy a good pop song. If you’re over 20 you can’t enjoy a teen musician. If you’re under 40, you can’t enjoy easy listening.

Who the heck wrote these guidelines, and why do people follow them?

One of my favorite examples of how the majority of people let image and other people’s opinions sway them is best illustrated by the following true story:

In the late 90s, Mercury Records released a single to the radio stations with no photo of the band and a very brief biography that said the band was made up of three people. The song was a catchy little pop ditty and it tested amazingly well.

Within two weeks, it was the #1 most requested song at pop radio around the US. Still, nobody knew anything about this band or even what they looked like, beyond the fact they were a trio. Then somebody spilled the beans. The trio were brothers and not only that, but…gasp!…teenagers. Yup, the trio behind the song, “MMM…Bop” were three teen boys who wrote and played their own instruments.

Well, once people found out the full story about Hanson, suddenly the song wasn’t cool to listen to. They were instantly lumped into the “boy band” category and you were made fun of if you liked the song.

So how was the song itself any different after the reveal? It wasn’t. It was still the same exact song, note for note.

But once people knew the full story, preconceived notions came into play and tainted people’s ability to listen to the song for fear their friends would make fun of them for listening to music written and performed by teenagers.

Sad, huh?

Now, I’m not saying I like everything I’ve ever heard, but I at least go into the first encounter with open ears and an equally open mind. Then, if I don’t like it, it’s because I truly don’t like it. Not because somebody told me I wouldn’t or I was afraid of what other people might think if I actually did like it.

I’ve been told anyone looking at my CD collection would think I’ve got a multiple personality disorder. I’ve got 70s disco and funk. I’ve got big band jazz and delta blues. I’ve got 80s new wave and hair metal bands galore. I’ve got soundtracks and showtunes. Celtic fusion and boy bands. I’ve got every one of AC/DC’s CDs right next to Christina Aguilera’s complete collection. I’m just as likely to be listening to Duran Duran as I am to Stevie Wonder.

Some days I want to rage like a Volcano Girl; some days I’d rather be a Material Girl. I can be a Redneck Woman and I can be a Fat Bottom Girl. Music speaks to me and as with any conversation I have with a good friend, I like to be open to where it takes me.

So, I like Miley. So what? You don’t like Miley? You’re entitled to your opinion, too. But make sure you don’t like a musician because you’ve actually listened to them…not because you’ve heard they suck.

By the way, this is the Miley song I’m enjoying at the moment. While the video is aimed at the teens, I think it’s sweet and fits the song. It’s called “7 Things”:

So now it’s your turn to spill… what song or artist do you like that people make fun of you for? Say it loud and proud!

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About zengrrl

I'm Michelle Snow, the writer and creator of Zengrrl. I write about travel, entertainment, women's issues, health, body positivity, and more, both for this blog and freelance. I have also authored/co-authored four guidebooks on Orlando and Florida. If you aren't already following me, the links are below, as well as on the top right of this page. Thanks!

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Comments: 5

  1. The Music Code (Get Signed). | 7Wins.eu March 20, 2009 at 8:38 pm

    […] Want to get signed? Don’t send a demo – A Song A DayGet Signed Up by Recording Companies. | x-say Get Signed! | HoodShack.com NewsLive in Toronto: Hey Rosetta! At the Horseshoe and an Interview with Tim Baker – Wolves, Hawks and Kites Music Pro Show » Blog Archive » Music Pro Show: Episode 28 zengrrl dot com » Blog Archive » i like miley and i don’t care who knows it […]

  2. zengrrl March 3, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    @Scott I do think some kids get contracts due to family, it’s really no different than any other entertainment industry, or any work industry in general. A lot of people – whether friends or family – can benefit when someone close to them networks on their behalf for a job.

    But I think in Miley’s case, while daddy may have helped her get her Hannah Montana gig, her career has given him more a boost than vice versa. LOL

    @hakka But the main thing is that you decided what you liked. 🙂 And I did get your message – will respond shortly.

    @akeorlando – That’s my point exactly. I don’t expect anyone to share my extremely varied tastes in music, but I’m ok with people not liking what I like.

    I just think too many people refuse to like something simply because they worry people will make fun of them. As long as someone doesn’t like a musician because they actually listened to them and made up their own mind and didn’t just decide not to like them because that’s the popular opinion of the group they hang with, I’m ok with it. 🙂

  3. akeorlando March 2, 2009 at 10:55 am

    My blog partner was actually just saying yesterday how much she loathes Miley! LOL!

    “Different strokes for different folks,” they say.

  4. Hakka February 26, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    Ahah, I always listened to music (bands or solo) I was always made fun for. ^^”
    When I was 12/14 (ten years ago) it was Metallica, before it was 5ive… but is possible that that was me that made them make fun of what I listened. Explaining: instead of simply hating the musician, it was hated and made fun of because it was listened to me. ç_ç
    Anyway, I sent you a contact about a fanlisting (sorry for bother you here (_-_) but I’m not sure it actually worked, so… 🙂

  5. Scott February 24, 2009 at 4:15 am

    OK…first, I do find it somewhat disturbing that the music industry has gotten so blue-blooded. The child of any artist can get a record deal (I know.. the trend started with Julian Lennon, who fortunately had some talent). But I wonder if a band like, say, Aerosmith or Led Zeppelin or even, the Beatles would get signed in today’s climate. I guess that’s the record industry’s fault and not that of the perfomers as such.

    That being said, I do have a fondness for Kelly Osbourne. I realize that many don’t like her and she’s not “popular” (possibly cos she’s considered fat…I don’t think so myself, not that that should matter). The other charge against her is that she’s capitalizing on her dad’s fame. Most of these people are the ones who never liked Ozzy’s music anyway, and sure, Sharon is likely picking her bandmates and songs, but she does have a real talent.