tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post5126739191867728453..comments2023-10-12T03:40:53.964-04:00Comments on These Gentlemen: These Gentlemen Contest: The Greatest Song Ever WrittenDavid Pratthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09741107987673246357noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-85225935580310640502009-12-17T23:21:51.322-05:002009-12-17T23:21:51.322-05:00Experiencing Listener's Remorse: I really wish...Experiencing Listener's Remorse: I really wish I had put Lupe Fiasco - "Little Weapon" on here.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14292773360697246224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-46227536902969774702009-12-12T08:42:13.577-05:002009-12-12T08:42:13.577-05:00My main issue with this post can be found in the t...My main issue with this post can be found in the title alone. A better title that reflects the choosen music should be something along the lines of "music we'd never change the station if it was on the radio". You all are much more clever then me when it comes to writing so I'm sure you could do better. Then maybe there wouldn't be so much confusion. Cause generally when I hear "greatest song of all time" I do think it's based on popularity.Jackienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-32835028603603859332009-12-12T01:16:54.085-05:002009-12-12T01:16:54.085-05:00Yes yes, but Brandenburg No. 3 has not been transl...Yes yes, but Brandenburg No. 3 has not been translated into as many languages as Happy Birthday.Stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17946072466651357087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-89956206269037858672009-12-12T00:02:57.904-05:002009-12-12T00:02:57.904-05:00Alright, so. First point is that there are 3 songs...Alright, so. First point is that there are 3 songs on this list which predate "Happy Birthday," which is in fact less than 100 years old. It's also translated mainly into only European languages (also, about 20 or so, which is far from countless - I can count to 20), so . . . it's stuff white people like. <br /><br />Secondly, to suggest a song is the "best song ever written" simply because it is very popular completely misses the point of the criteria laid out for the sake of this contest.<br /><br />Third point, I disagree in the strongest possible terms with assigning any kind of racial or economic status to the enjoyment of music. Are you suggesting black people wouldn't enjoy our song choices? Would people in Brazil not be able to relate to the content? Yes, there is a distinct lack of J-Pop and Native American tribal chants in our selection. If this list had been done by a different group the songs would be different based upon their exposure to music. However, that does not in any way preclude their song choices in this purely subjective field from being completely valid - just as all of ours are. Enjoyment of music is not limited to any one race or class, and to qualify the music (which I still say you are insanely generalizing and ignoring a wide variety of what is up on this list) as things only enjoyed by white kids of a particular age and background is, in my opinion, nothing short of absurd.<br /><br />And finally, you came to the blog and marginalized the entire contest. Then, in the same breath as you used to ask why we were so upset about that, you extended that marginalization to the entire blog. So yes, that is upsetting. Here's a protip for you: It's not a wake-up call if you're completely wrong.David Pratthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09741107987673246357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-70833719713726054462009-12-12T00:01:12.222-05:002009-12-12T00:01:12.222-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.ali dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07315380273775485622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-18137755020813179022009-12-10T19:10:29.304-05:002009-12-10T19:10:29.304-05:00@Jackie
I don't think we are or have ever pre...@Jackie<br /><br />I don't think we are or have ever pretended to be anything we're not - I know I certainly haven't, and I give credit to the other writers as well. You approach us, much like everyone does, through your own filter - and if our content doesn't either consistently, or at times, meet your needs that's unfortunate, but is what it is.<br /><br />I think to say that we should gear ourselves towards a 'target audience' of 'privileged white kids' is limited and dismissive. I don't write with race in mind, nor economic class (other than the assumption the reader has a computer), or a plethora of other categories - I write to whoever happens to be interested, primarily myself, and make no assumptions as to who will or won't enjoy. The lens through which you approach us as a reader does not even enter my thoughts as a writer - whereas others do.Jason Heathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15411144857939292461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-74416922047173648272009-12-10T19:05:37.062-05:002009-12-10T19:05:37.062-05:001) I actually wanted suggestions of songs, other t...1) I actually wanted suggestions of songs, other than Happy Birthday, that wouldn't qualify as either A) Stuff white people like or B) Stuff over privileged white kids like. I'm fully willing to expand my horizons if I'm provided the opportunity<br /><br />2) What <i>don't</i> white people like?<br /><br />3)<b>This is totally unrelated</b><br /><br />Anyone like flash animation?<br />http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/520604<br /><br />I've been following this guy for sometime and he just posted his latest video. He's a brilliant animator and creator, and definitely worth a look.<br /><br />4) Why isn't the blog"Stuff Black People Like" popular?Ozkirbashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17058172749734459717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-12406517325443721382009-12-10T19:02:03.819-05:002009-12-10T19:02:03.819-05:00I think I'm just gonna be myself and hope ever...I think I'm just gonna be myself and hope everybody likes me... because if I make an effort to be "global" I'll probably just end up alienating people, and that's just not what I want.<br /><br />So, I hope you guys like They Might Be Giants...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14292773360697246224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-58906554234765774082009-12-10T18:31:15.236-05:002009-12-10T18:31:15.236-05:00Answering the question of greatest song of all tim...Answering the question of greatest song of all time is easy David. It's "Happy Birthday". It's been around longer then any song on this list will ever be around and will continue to be around. It's known internationally and has been translated into countless languages. It crosses barriers between race, sexuality, religion, economic standings and all that other hub bub. Most people can identify with the song as they are having a birthday and want it to be a good one [I say most people because I know there are scrooges out there that are going to say, "I hate birthdays nah nah nah nah nah"]. Happy Birthday has been changed and variations have been added but the core of the song is still the same.<br /><br />And David, two or three songs from a limited handful of genres does not mean its not "stuff white people like". Besides white people like rap and hip hop and international music too. My comment was meant to underline the fact that you hit your target audience on the head. 20 something privileged white kids. Why you're offended by this I have no idea. It's not a bad thing but rather a wake up call. You can either decide that is the target audience you want and continue in the direction you are heading or you can change it. Pretty much, the blog needs to stop pretending you are something that you're not. If you want to be diverse then actually be diverse. If you are comfortable being a blog geared towards your current target audience then stop being so angry when someone calls you out on it.Jackienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-10248329655666034152009-12-10T17:16:11.464-05:002009-12-10T17:16:11.464-05:00You guys I'm so delectable right now!
Also, D...You guys I'm so delectable right now!<br /><br />Also, David you(r brother) made my day.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14292773360697246224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-41383330088929283082009-12-10T11:27:53.416-05:002009-12-10T11:27:53.416-05:00Of course, all defense of genre and taste aside, m...Of course, all defense of genre and taste aside, my older brother has informed me "at least 35 songs on this list are used to extract information from prisoners."David Pratthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09741107987673246357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-18265332237794121392009-12-10T10:40:03.104-05:002009-12-10T10:40:03.104-05:00I disagree somewhat vehemently.
There's a mix...I disagree somewhat vehemently.<br /><br />There's a mixture of rock both new and old, hip-hop, rap, pop and indy music, some international music, two symphonies, and some stuff that I don't even know about. I'll agree that there is a larger sampling of alt/pop rock recorded in the last 20 years than any other grouping, but to marginalize the selection as "music white people like" seems very dismissive of not only some legitimately great music, but also the variety of people who enjoy it.<br /><br />That said, did you have any ideas of what else could have gone on there which would fit the criteria?David Pratthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09741107987673246357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-23070618236555797202009-12-10T03:09:50.222-05:002009-12-10T03:09:50.222-05:00I think you all took my comment a bit too persona...I think you all took my comment a bit too personal. Like Ali said, These Gentlemen are "a bunch of 20-something suburban white kids". Most of you have the same background and interest, its no wonder that most of the songs can fit in the same box. Sure you could of faked it for diversities sake and added "10 brazilian songs". I'm just saying if you guys really are trying to get a broad readership then someone has got to branch out or get a more diverse writer base. Take it as constructive criticism not an affront on who you are. No need to be snarkie/defensive because that certainly isn't the way to get more people to read.Jackienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-2398448973546235422009-12-09T22:32:11.060-05:002009-12-09T22:32:11.060-05:00Like Alex said, I definitely didn't send in a ...Like Alex said, I definitely didn't send in a list of my favorite songs. There was a definitive criteria for our list that I didn't feel included my favorites. Otherwise my list would have been mostly Disney and country music. And I in no way felt that my list of 10 included all of the songs that I think encompass the criteria from Jason's initial post, but I was excited to eat pancakes while I was coming up with it, so I picked the first 10 that came to mind and seemed to fit.<br /><br />I mean, it's all subjective. We the blog members have discussed that multiple times. And let's face it, we <i>are</i> a bunch of 20-something suburban white kids. I'd love to hear the songs you would have added to lend it the diversity that you crave, Jackie.<br /><br />But more importantly, to quote the delectable B. Graham: "It's a fun silly contest... There's no such thing as "The Greatest Song Ever." Relax, guys!"ali dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07315380273775485622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-7648111198922887822009-12-09T22:24:53.736-05:002009-12-09T22:24:53.736-05:00I'm pretty white.I'm pretty white.Matt Lindeboomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08369802348011688039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-37262006256693978602009-12-09T20:41:53.560-05:002009-12-09T20:41:53.560-05:00I could have done 10 brazillian songs but reined i...I could have done 10 brazillian songs but reined it in. <br /><br />Go listen to Jorge Ben.Max Novahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13522117558163279988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-4875450108389171612009-12-09T19:30:48.118-05:002009-12-09T19:30:48.118-05:00I specifically stayed away from show tunes just be...I specifically stayed away from show tunes just because of the criteria for song selection. And really, I didn't even send in a list of my favorite songs.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12103899958984518987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-33608945272461476692009-12-09T17:43:04.633-05:002009-12-09T17:43:04.633-05:00@ Jackie - I hear you in terms of the lack of dive...@ Jackie - I hear you in terms of the lack of diversity cross genre (full disclosure - I did not participate) - but I disgree with the dismissal category of 'stuff white people like'<br /><br />People picked their selections according to their personal aesthetic criteria - I notice a distinct lack of Country, Modern Pop, Folk, or even Showtunes - all stereotypically 'white' music as well. A different group would have picked different music, and a wider sample of people would have created a much more comprehensive and maybe more accurate list of The Greatest Songs of All Time - but I don't see race being the primary factor behind the aesthetic similarities of this group.Jason Heathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15411144857939292461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-83637815460759751692009-12-09T16:45:02.927-05:002009-12-09T16:45:02.927-05:00Suggestions? I mean, I could have thrown in some ...Suggestions? I mean, I could have thrown in some tuvan throat singing or something with a digeridoo, but. sadly, I haven't really been exposed to muchOzkirbashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17058172749734459717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-76007825069122451852009-12-09T15:51:16.751-05:002009-12-09T15:51:16.751-05:00As a collective you guys have a pretty eccentric m...As a collective you guys have a pretty eccentric music taste. Sadly its still very limited in terms of genre and doesn't branch too far from the safety of "Stuff white people like". Shrug. I'm just saying I wish there was more variety in a list of "Best Songs of All Time".Jackienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-39156189343063951112009-12-09T10:53:28.455-05:002009-12-09T10:53:28.455-05:00I'm going to have to get to work a'familia...I'm going to have to get to work a'familiarizin. YouTube, here I come!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14292773360697246224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-29363373901922108342009-12-09T00:19:22.477-05:002009-12-09T00:19:22.477-05:00Yeah, if I had been more focused, I would have add...Yeah, if I had been more focused, I would have added "All Along the Watchtower."Ozkirbashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17058172749734459717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-25225994053904719742009-12-09T00:12:59.441-05:002009-12-09T00:12:59.441-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ozkirbashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17058172749734459717noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-5914550492599642942009-12-08T23:51:34.231-05:002009-12-08T23:51:34.231-05:00Wow... I can't believe that I wasn't the o...Wow... I can't believe that I wasn't the one to throw in They Might Be Giants.<br /><br />And ditto to Lindeboom.Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12103899958984518987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1848471753025049912.post-84500968443724288972009-12-08T23:38:32.439-05:002009-12-08T23:38:32.439-05:00I'm glad to see Bob Dylan, because I didn'...I'm glad to see Bob Dylan, because I didn't add him myself and I was feeling a little bit bad about it.Matt Lindeboomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12553519948659965859noreply@blogger.com