We live in a digital music age. We have ipods filled with songs from itunes. Anyone can get any song at anytime. There is virtually no more wishing you could hear a song or wishing you could buy a CD. If you think of a song it can be at your fingertips in seconds.
At least this is what I have heard. I am stuck in the equivalent of a music time warp. I have no ipod. I don't use itunes or any of its cousins. I have never even burned my own CD, although I have many in my possession. I don't have satellite radio in my truck either. I am still listening to the FM radio. I am one notch above Adam Sandler's goat who was tied to the truck with a three foot rope and listened to the AM radio.
While all the new technology is fine and good, I was reminded today of a musical joy that future generations will miss out on. That is the joy found when the radio unexpectedly plays one of your favorite songs. There is little that lifts my spirits like hearing one of my old favorites on the radio. It feels like you won a prize. This was certainly the thing of legends on road trips. Surely most people my age had some time when you were off to untold mischief and a great song added to your fun.
That happened to a bunch of my friends and I once on a road trip to various parts of the state. Right before this uplifting song came on the radio one of my friends had called his parents. They weren't home so he left a message. We later found out that he did not hang up the phone because his sister heard our entire drunken rendition of "Sweet Child of Mine" on their parents answering machine.
So children of today you can have your instantaneous music. I will stick to my prehistoric memories of excited youth belting out a little G 'n R just because we felt so blessed by the radio gods. Sometimes in life it is the smallest things that can bring a smile to my face.
Today it was the Eagles.
11 comments:
Ahhhh, the good old days. No satellite radio here, but iPods galore.
I like listening to the radio, but I have to tell you that iPods are awesome. There are so many cool things that you can use them for.
They are especially good for travel. If you have to spend time on a plane, train or bus they are great for helping to pass the time.
I love my iPhone but I still listen to the radio for the very reason you say. I love it when a song I hadn't heard in a while comes on then I pump up the volume and sing my heart out! Sweet Child O Mine is def. one of them.
I love the old days of radio when the music that would come on would be worth listening too. Maybe it's my grumpy old man showing, but I don't like a lot of the stuff coming out these days, so I avoid the radio a lot. Of course whenever I do feel the need to let the DJ take control classic rock radio is the only way to go.
You are right, nothing can beat the good old radio. Expect for when they are playing Christmas music nonstop.
radio provides the soundtrack for life...i cant count the number of times the perfect song has come on just at the right moment. i do hope it sticks around a while...
The radio is still the ultimate random selector for music. I don't need a playlist, just a radio station. Amen, brother....
Dude, you are so spot on with this post!! I remember when AC/DC shook me all night long first came out and they would play it on the radio. You would drop what you were doing and crank it up!! I get you!
I hear you which is why I always have iTunes on shuffle. I can usually predict how my day is going to be based on the first three songs or so.
I agree tho, if you can find a station that isn't suffused with dorky dj's who like to hear themselves talk.
For me today, it was David Bowie. BTW, adorable pic in your banner.
LOL! Your post just gave me the mental image of Tom Cruise trying to find a song on the radio to celebrate his mood and he doesn't know any!
Ipod users also give up the "relationship" that the faithful radio listener builds with the radio personalities. A couple of months ago, my daughter confessed that she has what she terms a "weird relationship" with the radio crew that she listens to every morning. She did not think that I would understand that emotional tie.
Turns out that radio spans the generations. I have a genuine affection for the radio personalities on "my station." So much so that I felt compelled to hug a couple of them when I met them in public. Sometimes I "argue" with them while I am driving down the road if they are discussing a hot topic.
Radio, along with music and political & social opinions are part of what make me who I am. Thanks for reminding me what a thrill the unexpected favorite song brings into my life!
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