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Don't be embarrassed by the music you like...

So, I was reading through some comments on a music messageboard and had to chuckle some. The conversation centered around the feeling of embarrassment when others became cognizant that they liked a particular musician or started singing the lyrics to one of their songs. My first thought when reading these comments was, "What is this, high school?" Granted, it appeared that most of these people were in their upper-teens to mid-20s, but still...

Who really cares? I've never been a fan of boy-bands, country music, or most rap, but when I hear someone else listening to it, I don't think to myself, "How can they listen to that out in public like that? They should be so embarrassed! " As the saying goes, "To each their own." This is why I sometimes disregard reviews by music critics, because if a critic hates a certain musician or genre of music and is forced to review that particular band or genre, the chances run high that he or she won't care for the album and the final grade will showcase that. But no matter how bad music might be, which is largely subjective anyhow, we all tend to be inspired differently and there's nothing wrong with that. Some simply like music for a good beat and to dance at the club (or just in general). Others like head-banging instead. There are even others whom tend to place more emphasis on the messages within songs and feel it's more of an emotional experience. Often times, no matter in what decade(s) it took place, we gravitate toward the music we grew up with. Yet other times, we continually expand our musical horizons (or try to at least). Then there will even be other times when we find love for a song through someone else - a song that reminds us of a special time, place, experience, or person. In none of these examples should a person be paranoid, thinking, "I wonder what others would think about me if they heard I listen to this stuff?" Again, who cares? It's not high school anymore. If one goes about life constantly worrying what other people will think about them when it comes to their hobbies and interests, they might as well become a recluse dressed as a mime, because there won't be much point in going out or socializing.

When it comes to being embarrassed about lyrics or song titles, trust me, that band or song you like is not the only one in music's history which may come across as kind of ridiculous or silly. Hell, a lot of songs were written while the musicians were drunk or high on who knows what (or both). Know that classic hit rock song by Iron Butterfly, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida"? It was originally called "In The Garden Of Eden," but the band was so messed up when recording it, it came out as "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," and from that point forward, the title stuck. In 2009, this song was named the 24th best rock song of all-time by VH1. So whenever you feel embarrassed about the lyrics to a song you like, which prevents you from singing it in your car or at a karaoke, just mumble to yourself, "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, baby," and think, "That was listed as one of the 25 best rock songs of all-time!"

So, when it comes to music, relax and don't be afraid to like what you like. As I always say, it's best to just be yourself, for I'd rather be disliked for being me than be liked for being someone I'm not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

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