I'm a music fan. When I say I'm a music fan, I don't mean I'm a certain type of music fan, I mean I like music. And as a music fan, if there is one thing that really annoys me it is music snobbery.



Personally, I don't care what genre an artist comes from, if I hear it and I like it, if it's got memories for me, if it can get my feet tapping or if it sticks in my head then I can listen to it. How many times have you encountered some pretentious twat in the pub or on the bus giving it the whole routine of "Oh how could anyone like that, it's just not in the same league as x y or z". 



Sure, there are more talented people than others out there, but who the fuck are these guys to tell you who you should or shouldn’t like, or even worse, look down on others because they happen to prefer Abba to some new unsigned band currently doing the club circuit in the back of a transit.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and every piece of music has its place. 



I'll give you an example.  ‘Reach’ by S Club 7.  Everyone's always on about how pop music these days is throwaway and will never be remembered years from now.  I say Bollocks!



How many functions or weddings have you been at, ‘Reach’ comes on and the dance floor fills with everyone with their hands in the air having a great time.  I can guarantee you in 20 years it will still be played at weddings and everybody will still be up throwing their hands in the air, just as everyone gets up for Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison or Sex Machine by James Brown. 



Personally I've got quite an eclectic music collection with all sorts of stuff in it. There's no rhyme nor reason to whatever I listen to or what I like. There's even a Spice Girls album due to an unfortunate accident with the album of the month from Britannia Music Club, not that I'm saying there's anything wrong with that. As Voltaire may have said, 'I may not like your taste in music but I will defend to the death your right to like it' 



I talk about music in the 80's in the same way as my dad talked about the 60's when we were actually in the 80's i.e. 20 years ago, and I find myself saying the same shit that he did. "It's just not as good, it'll never be the same" Possibly a sign of getting old, but then again; if everyone says that at some point, music will always be good no matter what age group you're in or what genre you think you belong in. 



People should listen to music with an open mind and without their own prejudices and preconceptions.  For all you goths out there, are you telling me there is not one dance song you  appreciate? Or indie kids, there isn’t one pop record you have ever liked?  Some people need to get over themselves, stop trying to pigeon hole everything and just enjoy a good tune for being a good tune. Music's great, appreciate it. (Apart from Busted, they really are shit).

Posted In Features, Mar 19 2010. Words - Randy