I just finished reading this article that has the Top 10 Most Downloaded Songs on iTunes of All Time list and was a bit bewildered to find out that The Black Eyed Peas had two in the top three and Lady GaGa had two in the top six... Since 2001... Really?
It makes sense because the songs "I Got a Feeling", "Poker Face" and others on the list were more recent releases. Obviously more people are using iTunes now than when Kelly Clarkson sang "Since You've Been Gone." It's clear that tomorrow there will be more iTunes users than today downloading and itching to "Just Dance." Naturally, that means more ipods and other peripheral purchases per person- much to Mr. Mac's delight.
A topic I have meant to blog about for some time now arises from this "Podenomenon"...
A few years back I thought about pitching an advertising campaign to Apple along the lines of "iPod: The Soundtrack to Your Life." I thought of a few different variations of commercials where people from all walks of life entering various "defining life moments" listening to their iPod -- a Coldplay or U2 song most likely-- and being successful... only because they had their iPod to get them ready for the moment (similar this Amp commercial)
Seems almost too obvious now... Go to any public place and I bet you cant go more than five minutes without seeing someone with white stings swinging from their bobbing head.
What was Shaun White doing right before he dropped in on one of his Olympic runs? Yup, he was plugged into his iPod probably listening to AC/DC or Guns N' Roses.
For pregame warmups in sports the iPod presence remains permanent- And why not? I know I take mine everywhere.
Hell, I am writing this right now with my iTunes on the background
(Nowplaying: Tea Leaf Green u Nosey Nancy!)
I certainly work out harder when I have my gym playist on w/Eminem calling me a bitch and beats that make reps and controlled breathing easier from Lil Wayne. I always seem to fall asleep quicker when my "Sleepin" playlist shuffles selections from Slightly Stoopid & Jack Johnson. The work day never seems to be over until "It's 5 O'clock Somewhere" starts. Shoot, would even know what we were working for if it weren't for Loverboy?
Music is great! It always has been and will never feel like I have had enough. New music is like having the hottest toy of the year... and the iPod allows everyday to be show and tell.
(Citizen Cope- Salvation)
But back to the the public place part of the "Podenomenon" and the part that concerns me... If everyone is plugged in does that reduce the need to reach out and talk to our fellow man? Are we going to miss out on organic opportunities for love, friendship, etc?
Now I know you choose listening to Taylor Swift's "Our Song" for the 400th time over trying to manufacture your own "meet-cute" with the goodlooking guy you see on the bus every morning because it's the safe choice for your self esteem versus being told he already has a girlfriend or isn't interested. But is that really what you want or is it just another excuse?
I wonder what those people who believe in "Fate" think of iPods... You missed your window of opportunity with the guy because you needed to "turn it up, it's my fav part!"
So much for your happy ending... But he had his iPod on too...
And there's always tomorrow, right?
(Dave Matthews Band-Pig)
The term "My Music" is taken very literally now... You don't even have to buy the whole album now which makes making a mixtape for a girl even more daunting a task, but really who does that anymore? You don't even have to put it on a CD anymore... just gift your gal one!
You can create a playlist for just about every activity in life and it doesn't even take that long. Drag, Drop and Dip as you DJ your day...
Again, I am one of many enjoying another modern luxury we didn't use to have. I swear I cook better when I have Pavarotti playing.
Base it on whatever you like- weather, mood, activity whatever you want. Sooner or later you begin to associate the song more with your life's events than the artist who creates it.
Now it's really "My Music"
(Kanye West-Livin' in a Movie) <-- haha iRonic... FYI shuffle on 41 GBs of music
Ok so maybe the demise of human interaction due to the iPod isn't something we need to worry about...I know it's not that tough to yank an earplug outta your head and jump into whatever situation that presents itself but there has to be a trade off. Kind of like that if a tree falls and no one hears it riddle there are things that are going to go unnoticed.
As much as I love to talk to everyone and anyone pretty much at any time anywhere, I do love "My Music." Honestly, some activities are borderline enhanced by music! I definitely make more shots when I ball to Public Enemy-He Got Game. I get a better all around workout when I have Jay-Z- On to the Next One playing. I certainly run farther when all I hear is Jackson Browne signing Running on Emptyyyyyyy....
So I guess I'm torn...I suppose I run the risk of missing things here and there if I am plugged in.
Then again, I've never been much of a "it happened because of fate" guy anyway. If I'm in the right place at the right time, I know it... and most of the time it's because I planned on being there.
I suppose I will just try to remain opportunistic... with a soundtrack.
(The Helio Sequence- Can't Say No)
Sam Presti is the only NBA executive ever to draft three future MVPs and he
did it in three consecutive drafts. It’s a maniacal stroke of luck and an
exe...
1 month ago
4 comments:
Yep, gotta give you credits on this one, G. In an article some year back, I spoke of the iPod-society...in which everyone just lives for their selves, where is the coherence? And just as you say, we all are guilty as anyone, for doing ourselves too.
But thinking about it, that is a start, right?
Mr. Amsterdam
Good post man I really like this topic. I agree with you in that I am torn as well. Part of me says it's amazing that I can walk through the grocery store, tune out the world with my iPod, and get a kick out of doing a task as mundane as shopping for food. On the other hand, I think it's causing more and more poople to ignore the beautiful world that exists in front of our very own eyes. It has it's pros and cons.
Another interesting topic you could discuss is music appreciation. With the advent of the Internet, iTunes, the iPod, etc...are we really appreciating music the way music was appreciated during the days of the phonograph? People using seek controls to skip to the "best" part of the song. You had to pick up the needle on the phonograph and literally place it in the right groove to change the track. Not nearly as simple. And the availability of music...how easy is it to get music these days? A lot of hip hop artists be talking about mixtapes and how if they aren't putting out a new mixtape a day then they are falling behind. They also jokingly (but semi-seriously)talk about living in the studio, making love in the studio, dying in the studio...it's insane how high the expectations have become for new artists trying to make it in the music game.
Keep it runnin' son
Tyas, I'd be interested to know if this trend holds true in Europe... Was your post in Dutch? Would love to see what you had to say about it...
E, totally agree with your sentiment on music appreciation. Artists designed their albums with specific songs on the track listing and others left out. Basically each single track building up to create the larger album experience and piece of art.
Does the option of purchasing single tracks depreciate the value of the album as a whole? Can you fully appreciate the single by itself when taken away from its other parts that compose the album? Is that like taking something out of context?
I wonder if this is contributing to more narcissism in our generation and only making people more egocentric. I suppose it is a slippery slope situation
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