I Won’t Do What You Tell Me?

I’ll start off with a confession. I’m guilty of being an idiot too. I bought a track I never really liked (although I do like it more now than when it first came out, but no matter) just to help keep the little man-Cole off the top of the charts this Christmas. But it wasn’t an expression of individuality. The sad fact is that I did exactly what they told me. Just like all the mugs who bought whatever drivel Cowell offered them this year.

It’s one thing buying a track you like because you want to. That’s fine by me. It’s pretty much OK buying a track because it will make your missus happy. Maybe just about forgivable buying one because you want your mates to think you’re one of the lads (or lasses, sorry, no sexism here!). But it’s not OK buying one because Cowell has conned ITV into brainwashing the nation for his own profit. And, if anything, it’s probably worse buying a track just to spite someone you’ve never met and don’t give a toss if they live or die. But I still did it.

So why? That’s the question? I’m not good at doing what I’m told. Never have been. This basic inability has caused me untold trouble down the years, as anyone who’s known me a while will tell you. What could the reason be?

It wasn’t a social media acceptance thing. I never joined the Facebook group, never told anyone I’d done it. So not a real life social acceptance thing, or a way to give people a laugh at what a jolly rebellious chap I am. It wasn’t out of any deep personal animosity to either Cowell, who I find rather amusing, or the tiny Tynesider, who probably gets enough gyp without me adding to it. It wasn’t about the song they released, I don’t know its name, let alone what it sounds like. I didn’t even really care which got to #1. So why?

I’m not sure, probably never will be. I’d like to think it was to be part of some kind of experiment, but if so, surely I’d have been more interested in the outcome? Maybe it was some kind of post-postmodern activist apathy, but that kind of thing sounds like to much effort to me.

I’m guessing it was partly to do weariness at the relentless media manipulation to which we’re all subjected. But I fell for that in a different medium where the message was put in a way I found more palatable. More than that, I think it was a gut reaction to the desensitised, artificial nature of the crud that’s forced down our ears by the media. I know some people like it, but that doesn’t make it right. I can think of many things, involving animals and children for instance, that people like. It’s just my opinion, but I don’t think they’re right either.

So if that’s my gripe, what’s the answer? How do we get music back to a point where we don’t have to buy superannuated rock-rap whinges to keep tiny Geordie manlets off the top of the charts at Christmas? I’m not sure myself, so why not suggest something?

Just don’t make it Cliff Richard.