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In Reply to: RE: Friday tracks posted by G Squared on November 07, 2015 at 07:28:21
Love your Friday Tracks installments!During the Spring 1988 semester, Scarlett & Black's "You Don't Know" was a minor hit. It was not as popular as it could have been. My classmates generally preferred other material. If they wanted something heavier, they went with Lita Ford's "Kiss Me Deadly." The modern rock crowd went with The Church, Erasure, or Prefab Sprout instead. The EDM crowd went with Rick Astley, Taylor Dayne, or Will To Power Instead.
However, "You Don't Know" fit in with Agnetha Faltskog's "I Wasn't The One (Who Said Goodbye)," Belinda Carlisle's "Circle In Sand," and Johnny Hates Jazz's "Shattered Dreams." And in the Fall, "You Don't Know" would pave the way for lite rock fare, such as Boy Meets Girl's "Waiting For A Star To Fall," and Peter Cetera's "One Good Woman."
High school is full of dumb and irrational choices. The one I probably regret the most was when I was a senior, during the Fall '88 semester. I was hot after all these wonderful sophomore girls. But this nice, friendly, benign, good-looking, and honest freshman, LT9, liked me. And I liked her, too. But because she was a freshman [not a good reason, I know], I rejected her advances, and friend-zoned her.
Nevertheless, after I friend-zoned her, she was still a loyal and good friend. Some of my fellow seniors did not believe or accept my denials that LT9 was my girlfriend. Be that as it may, one of the last times I heard Scarlett & Black's "You Don't Know" on the radio was when LT9 and I, as was our wont, were sitting on the hallway floor, in front of lockers. We were sharing a Walkman. LT9 and I were somewhat nebulously (we didn't know much about it) discussing my upcoming Senior Boat Dance. But she did say that, as long as she got her parents' permission, she would gladly would go with me. We stared at her wrist, and tried to picture what a corsage would look like. LT9 was into dance, so she had a wide vaiety of shoes. But she wondered what kind of dress she'd need for this so-called "semi formal" event.
Alas, my senior class decided to restrict attendance, and made this an event exclusively for seniors. No juniors, sophomores, or freshmen. No outsiders. I was a homeroom rep. During one of the meetings, where we split off into our respective grades, I mentioned that, since they were making this an event for couples, many of us did not have senior-class boyfriends, girlfriends, or dates. I myself spoke up, and said that I had intended to take a freshman (LT9) or sophomore (any number of my female friends).
Another senior homeroom rep said, "Leave your stinking sophomore and frickin' freshmen friends home." She held up her two hands, snapped her thumbs and forefingers repeatedly, and emphatically said, "This is the SENIOR Boat Dance."
As a result, turnout was low. Not being able to bring LT9, I said, "Forget the Senior Boat Dance," and did not go.
Even today, I do not hear Scarlett & Black's "You Don't Know" on the radio. But that is why we audiophiles play it for ourselves. And it reminds me of LT9. If she and I had been able to go to my Senior Boat Dance, (a) we would have had a pleasant time, and (b) maybe we would have overcome my idiotic friend-zoning of her.
-Lummy The Loch Monster
Edits: 11/07/15 11/07/15Follow Ups:
That is what music is all about.
Glad you are enjoying the tunes. I an exploring pop these days and finding a lot of great music in the forest.
I'm from the S.F. Bay Area, and attended UC Santa Cruz. As such, I am really impressed with the Inmates who have this depth of knowledge and experience with 60s and 70s rock. These Inmates are the real deal. I came along later. When I was in kindergarten, I grew tired of TV. I couldn't stand the banal cartoons. I couldn't stand the Giants and 49ers losing all the time. So I turned off the TV. And when I turned to FM radio, I was exposed to what is now called "classic rock." That was the inspiration. It led to further (popular; Davies Symphony Hall and classical music were not for us poor kids) musical exploration. It eventually made us thirsty for better audio reproduction.Moreover, I grew up in the Fillmore, which was then not the gentrified Lower Pacific Heights it is now. On top of that, my dad's side was from gritty Oakland. I'd go over to my late grandmother's house in the Fruitvale District, and become exposed to artists like Santana, Tower Of Power, and War.
As a writer, I've never made my background a secret. In fact, I make it a point to connect that background with audio. Everyday, audiophiles e-mail me, asking for more . They love the stories, like to live vicariously through each other. Everyday, someone will tell me that he's never been to the Bay Area or Hawaii, that's he's never heard the music I just wrote about, never experienced high school or college like that, never been told what to listen for.
OTOH, someone will read my posts, gather the information, put 2 and 2 together, rack his brain, and SWEAR that, all those years ago, he had crossed paths with me.
In high school, I couldn't stop myself from writing about sports and music. My teachers wished I were that passionate about other subjects! Nevertheless, writing about popular music is not just cathartic, it is fun. I do not expect anyone to like or dislike the music about which I write. I just ask that readers learn from it, appreciate it, and in turn, share their music.
You know what? In the early-00s, AA's Rocky Road was one of the worst forums (fora?). But thanks to the current contributors, it has become one of our most diverse, interesting, and educational.
You know what else? When I was growing up, each generation was embarrassed by its parents. You wouldn't be caught dead, liking the music your parents liked. But all that has changed. My own kids are in elementary school. Because of the internet, Guitar Hero, video games, apps, Youtube, and other tools, today's kids know more about 80s and 90s popular music than we do. And, when I pick up my kids, I see others having the ability to play all of this music!
For the curmudgeons who do not like 80s and 90s music, rejoice! It is only a matter of time, before some of these kids then branch out, and learn about music from other human eras.
In the meantime, I encourage everyone to go over to Rocky Road. I wish I could contribute more often, but am just too busy. I have a small contingent, claiming that 1992 was music's best. So these people want me to spotlight and showcase more music from that year. I also have a different army of followers, clamoring for more heavy metal and thrash. And then there are those who want me to tap into today's teens (I used to work at a charter high school), and report about current music. But don't wait for me; the others on Rocky Road have plenty to share.
And oh yes, I can't wait for next Friday's Tracks! :-)
Edits: 11/08/15 11/08/15 11/08/15
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