I figured I’d take this post in a fun direction and post some videos of some guilty musical pleasures of mine. I will also give you all an opportunity to share what music you listen to but really wouldn’t want anyone else to know about…come on guys, we can all bond over this.
Let me start off with a wonderful track that came out my freshman year of high school — 1998. I was 14 years old and had just started discovering the dance genre of music. This was also only a few years after Will Smth stopped making summertime jams with DJ Jazzy Jeff, and he had quite the solo career going. Unfortunately nearly all his music was sampled from 70s disco hits. The one I am about to show you was sampled from Sister Sledge’s disco hit “He’s the Greatest Dancer.”
It’s none other than the eponymous hit “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It.”
So that was cool — back in 1998, at least. Will suffered a career decline until he released “Switch” recently. How recent I don’t know because I don’t follow Will Smith anymore, I just have his song and today it was a random play on my iPhone as I drove down the JRF (the James River Freeway).
For the second song, let’s keep it in the same time era. There was some good music released about this time, and I’m kinda iffy about calling this one a guilty pleasure but I’m gonna do it anyway. A master songwriter in his own right, Gregg Alexander formed a band called the New Radicals in the mid ’90s. It contained Danielle Brisebois (of “All in the Family” fame) and an ever revolving group of backing musicians.
This video was famous for its portrayal of civil unrest in a shopping mall and became one of my favorite hits of the late 90s. It’s the New Radicals, “You Get What You Give.”
Gotta love that bucket hat.
Now moving on to Christian music, where it starts to get a little scary. There’s no doubt that those of us that grew up in Christian households or followed Christian music for any length of time is aware of the massive success the rock/pop group DC Talk had in the early to late 90s. Before that massive success, however, the band struggled to find a niche, so they stuck with their roots, which was…rapping. And not so well, I might add.
One video that contained that rapping is their CCM hit straight outta 1991, “Nu Thang.” This will make any TobyMac fan cringe.
If you thought that was bad, let’s fast forward to an artist that faded into irrelevancy about as fast as Doc’s time machine took Marty back to 1955. Speaking of 1955, that is the name of a song by the artist I am about to reference. And the video I’m about to show you also includes a cameo appearance from none other than the group I showed in the last video.
What is it? It’s “Addicted to Jesus” by Carman.
Ok, now I’m going to slink back into a corner and feign embarrassment. Your turn to tell me some of your guilty musical pleasures, let’s make this fun.
Wow! I remember dancing to that song as a dorky little 12 year old thinking I was cool. Watching the video makes me now realize I was so far from cool.
I didn’t see the other videos at first glance. So here’s another comment.
I am no near as embarrased to admit I loved song #2 (and still do like it, just not as much). I will admit music has gotten way worse since the classics of the late 90’s, It may just be nostalgic though.
Oh no, that DC talk was my brothers favorite, that is when we had a Christian Music only rule in the house, which lasted until I rebelled in the late 90’s. That song really sucks.
And the last song is just plain an embarassment to Christian music. But can’t say much as when it started playing the lyrics appeared in my memory with me having a shocked look on my face. Guess I liked that one too.
My guilty pleasures are as follows;
Dancing Queen, Fernando, Money money money, Take a Chance - Abba
One thing - Amerie
Return of the Mack - Mark Morrison
What you won’t do for love - Bobby Caldwell
Hey now, “Switch” is Greg Oden’s favorite song, so be nice.
Return of the Mack. That’s another one I have.
Terrible, the last two were terrible. Christopher, I remember you dad and I riding to Friday night youth barn and the likes listening to stuff like this. We thought we were so cool. Now I see we seriously lacked good taste in music. But we had GREAT times! Good memories man! Always will be.
-Jas
I couldnt stand DC Talk for the longest time, because the only thing I heard of theirs was rap.
No big Carmen fan here either. he was abit too cliche’ for me.
Gimme Ozzy, Led Zep, RUSH, Chris Tomlin, Newsboys, etc.
The oddity I have in my collection is ABBA and a Dolly Parton CD.
RUSH!!!!!!!!! Yeah! Neal Pert! The number three ranked drummer in the world! Yes! That man is crazy, and that is by far the most talented three piece band ever!
-Jas
So I went through the music and wow.
Here they are folks.
The River - Garth Brooks
Woo hoo - 5.6.7.8’s
Where The Streets Have No Name - U2
Sunday Bloody Sunday - U2
Burn - Usher
Caught Up - Usher
Hot in Herre - Nelly
Country Grammer - Nelly
Goo Goo Dolls
Wow I have a lot. But those are great songs!
The fact you mentioned Carman has me so physically ill I don’t know if I can go on….