Self Absorbed Like Never Before: The great culture boxing match!!!!

Are we more self-absorbed today than ever before? Many heavily doubt it. I want to put it to some kind of test. So I'll let you be the judge. Too often we hear about the self-absorption of the late 1960's - early 1970's as an excuse. So I got an idea....lets find a cultural benchmark. So....

I've compiled the lyrics of the chorus’s (the ‘anthems of a year’ if you will) from 5 of the top 10 songs of 1970 and 2009-2010 respectively. These are the undisputed champions of the self-absorbed hippie era versus the biggest hits in the last year.

We're gonna have a bit of a social-consciousness battle/comparison. Because 2010 is not over yet, I'm only picking 2010 songs that have remained in the top 10 for longer than 15 weeks. Also, because all culture is relative, and I've been brainwashed by my government funded education not to judge anything or anybody ever, I will rely on you to judge, although I will offer my opinion (often sarcastically) after each round.

1970 v. 2010! 5 rounds! One winner! LETS GET IT ON.....

ROUND 1

In the modern corner: California Gurls - Katie Perry (17 weeks and still climbing)

California girls We're unforgettable Daisy Dukes Bikinis on top Sun-kissed skin So hot Will melt your popsicle Oooooh Oh Oooooh

vs.

Hailing from the dirty, dirty 70’s: War- Edwin Starr (#5 song of 1970)

War What is it good for Absolutely nothing Say it again War What is it good for Absolutely nothing

I was gonna give the win to 1970. By the time Katy Perry busted out with her hit, the teens and young men/women of her time had been in a war longer than Vietnam. Who gives a ****? I want my popsicle melted!!!! Tie.

ROUND 2

In the digital age: Tik Tok - Ke$ha (a formidable 20 weeks)

Don't stop, make it pop
DJ, blow my speakers up
Tonight, I'mma fight
'Til we see the sunlight
Tick tock, on the clock
But the party don't stop, no

Vs.
From day days of untrimmed…everything: Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head- BJ Thomas (#4 song of 1970)

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Cryin's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothin's worryin' me

Here I have to give a tie, again. Both songs are about “I” the troubles and triumphs of “I”. The fact that one is an invincible, hung-over, yet ready to party dance girl and the other is about a really…..sad…..dude with a vague but discernable message(?) May only be a result of my bias in picking the matchup.

ROUND 3
The undisputed champion of 2009: Boom Boom Pow- The Black Eyed Peas (#1 in the days before google-instant)

Boom boom boom (Gotta get that) [x4]
Boom boom boom (Yeah) [x2]
Boom boom boom [x2]

Vs.
The reigning champion 40 years before: Bridge Over Troubled Water – Simon and Garfunkel (#1 in 1970)

I'll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sorry, Boom Boom Pow, but you’re just too incomprehensible. Especially compared to the poetry of two musical legends. Then again, what’s up with Simon and Garfunkel being so uptight and lame? Tie.

ROUND 4

The wannabe Beatle of her age: Lady GaGa – Poker Face (#3 song of 2009)

Just dance!
Gonna be okay
Da da doo doo
Just dance!
Spin that record babe
Da da doo doo
Just dance!
Gonna be okay
Just just just dance, dance
J-J-Just dance!

Vs.

The beatles of their age: The Beatles – Let it Be (#9 song of 1970)

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

Hmmm, lots of repetition in each. I can see the obvious comparison here between these 2 icons…… Well, the Beatles offer me wisdom and GaGa offers me dancing. The rest of GaGa’s song is about being too drunk to do anything else and the rest of the Beatle’s song is about being troubled enough to seek help. Usually when I’m drunk, I’m just troubled…so Tie.

ROUND 5
For our final round, the indigo child: Flo Rida – Right ‘Round (#6 song of 2009)

You spin my head right round, right round
When you go down, when you go down down...
(Female Voice)
You spin my head right round, right round
When you go down, when you go down down...

VS.

The ‘thundaaaaaaaa’: Diana Ross – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (#6 song of 1970)

There ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you

Both are timeless songs of love. I can only say, ‘tie.’

But it’s not up to me is it? Thoughts discussions? Where did we go wrong? Did we go wrong? If you've read this far and between the lines you have to know what I think about our modern culture (even compared to just 40 years ago!). If you want to nit-pick the match ups that's fine. Just keep in mind that it took me 3 hours to put together this posting idea/get it into production and what was on the cutting room floor was just as depressing as what you see above.

We 'moderns' truly take the title of : Self Absorbed,self-aggrandizing, and vapid.... Like Never Before

reply to post by snusfanatic


music/culture snobs and, or curmudgeons don't stay up late? I guess that makes perfect sense

I thought these 'retro' matches were just too funny to pass up....

I present the top songs of 1968 and 2008 respectively:

Hey Jude, The Beatles 1968
___________________________
Hey Jude don't make it bad
Take a sad song and make it better
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you can start to make it better
Hey Jude don't be afraid
You were made to go out and get her
The minute you let her under your skin
Then you begin to make it better
And any time you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder

VS.

I Kissed a Girl, Katy Perry 2008
___________________________
This was never the way I planned, not my intention.
I got so brave, drink in hand, lost my discretion
It's not what I'm used to, just wanna try you on.
I'm curious for you, caught my attention.
[Chorus:]
I kissed a girl and I liked it,
the taste of her cherry chapstick.
I kissed a girl just to try it,
I hope my boyfriend don't mind it.
It felt so wrong,
it felt so right.
Don't mean I'm in love tonight.
I kissed a girl and I liked it (I liked it).
No, I don't even know your name, it doesn't matter.
You're my experimental game, just human nature.
It's not what good girls do, not how they should behave.
My head gets so confused, hard to obey.


And perhaps even better.... the top songs of 1966 and 2006 respectively:

Ballad of the Green Berets 1966

Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Beret

Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America's best
One hundred men we'll test today
But only three win the Green Beret

VS.

Promiscuous , Nelly Furtado 2006

[N:] You expect me to just let you hit it
But will you still respect me if you get it

All I can do is try, gimme one chance
What’s the problem I don’t see no ring on your hand

I be the first to admit it, I’m curious about you, you seem so innocent

[N:] You wanna get in my world, get lost in it
Boy I’m tired of running, lets walk for a minute

[Chorus]
Promiscuous girl
Wherever you are
I’m all alone
And it's you that I want

[N:] Promiscuous boy
You already know
That I’m all yours
What you waiting for?