"They Don't Make Music Like That Anymore"

I think, and have been told, that I was born in the wrong decade. Now, which decade would be the correct one, neither I nor anyone else can say. All I know is that the love of music is what makes up the core of my being. And what passes for "music" today breaks my heart.

I'm on an 80's kick right now, and rightly so. What happened? Where did it go? The most insane guitar riffs ever heard. The songs that made you feel like you were part of something. The songs that spoke of hope, redemption, love, and simply, life. The ballads that made men want to sing them and women go weak at the knees. The bands that defied societal norms all for the sake of the love of the music as opposed to the cookie-cutter carbon-copy bubblegum pop stars generated on schedule by the entertainment machine. The songs that took a stand and made a statement, and used the music to push that statement into every household. Songs like Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It." Songs that made people listen. That said "We will be who WE choose to be, not who you tell us to be." Songs that were beautiful in their originality and sheer chaos. Songs that not only told us to defy the established definition of normal, but also told us to actively do something about it, to improve it. Not these songs today that simply say to rebel just for the sake of rebelling.

What happened to the songs like Journey's "Don't Stop Believin?" Songs that told us to go out and "take the midnight train, goin anywhere." Songs that told us to pick a direction and go, learn, live, experience, let the world make its mark on us and make our mark on the world. Songs that told us to keep the faith, keep the hope, that told us "don't stop believin."

And what about Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger?" Songs that make us feel like we can go the distance, like we can go all 15 rounds. Songs that told us to keep our focus. Songs that told us to keep hold to our dreams and not get distracted by glory and fame. Songs that tell us to "rise up to the challenge of our rival." Songs that tell us to get to the top by going the distance, by fighting every battle, by staying true to our dreams. Not these songs today that tell people to get to the top by the quickest and easiest way possible.

What happened to the love ballads like Foreigner's "Waiting for A Girl Like You" and "I Want To Know What Love Is?" Songs that spoke words that men were not afraid to say to the women they loved. Songs that told boys to "wait for a girl like you to come into my life." Songs that spoke of "really loving someone." Songs that told us to take our time and not rush things. Songs where the guy is telling the girl he "wants to know what love is" as opposed to "I just want to get in your pants as soon as possible cuz you're hot." Songs that make you want to dance with your girlfriend in the rain, not dry hump in the club. Songs like "More Than Words" by Extreme that cautioned us against recklessly using words to express our feelings. Songs that told us to make sure our actions could prove what we say. Song's like Warrant's "Heaven" that reminded us that past materials and fame and fortune, if we stayed true to each other, then "Heaven isn't too far away, closer to it every day."


What happened to songs like "Here I Go Again" by Whitesnake? Songs that told us "I don't know where I'm goin, but I sure know where I've been." Songs that reminded us that as long as we remember where we have been, we will always find where we are going. Songs that remind us that we each have to walk our own path. Songs that told us that even though we might not be sure, we can't waste time on indecision, that we need to pick a direction and go..."I've made up my mind. I ain't wastin no more time." Songs that reminded us that even though we may not find all the answers, we have to keep going, even if we have to go alone.

What happened to music like this? Music that was actually music...played on real instruments and not computers...written by the band...performed by actual bands. What happened to the guitar riffs where you can feel every note and chord resonate through your bones as if they were the guitar strings themselves? What happened to music that had every shed tear, every drop of alcohol, every heartbreak and broken relationship, every sleepless shadow-filled night wrapped up in every verse? What happened to music worth listening to? What happened to music that made you want to buy the entire album...on VINYL...instead of just the popular singles on iTunes? Most of these kids today don't even know about vinyl, the crackles and pops that gave the music character, the anticipation after putting that needle down and having to wait those few seconds for the song to start, the full bodied sound you can only find on vinyl. They don't know what cover art is. They don't know what it's like to wallpaper your room with album covers from all your favorite bands.

Before you decide to jump down my throat, yes, I know there are some good artists out there. I know there are some good songs out there. But not a lot. Not like it used to be. We have neglected the music. As a result, it has fallen into the degenerating, message-less, soulless void of today, a sad and far cry from the sounds that used to rock the world from sold out arenas, to radio stations, to headphones. Unfortunately, they just don't make music like that anymore.

Rise, and rise AGAIN!!!

Speak against the government and be painted the traitor. Stay silent, dear citizens, and eventually there will be no one left to speak up when they come for YOU. And they WILL come for you, after you have played the silent little sheep. After you have pandered to every corrupt policy in complete and utter silence. After YOU have willingly let slip away every freedom guaranteed you. They will come, as they always do, unless WE THE PEOPLE speak against the injustices, against the encroaching tyranny, unless we rise as one and fight our own revolution. Have no doubt, they watch for us, because they know we few exist. They run their computers through all sorts of media, searching for words and hints like REBELLION and REVOLUTION. They wait. They plot and plan. They put us on their watch lists. They send the reprimands, they send the gestapo...all in an attempt to further solidify and maintain their status quo...their power matrix. But they have forgotten, as WE have forgotten, that WE THE PEOPLE are the true power. It is time we remember that. It is time we demand our justice, our accountability, our reckoning for their misuse of power. Do NOT be silent. Do NOT go gently into that good night. Do NOT keep your head down. Rise, citizens. And Rise again. And again. And AGAIN. Rise until they can no longer push you down. Rise until they cower in the shadows of the full extent of our righteous fury. Have no doubt, there will inevitably be bloodshed.

"The tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."--Thomas Jefferson