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Post by queenofthehours on Jun 3, 2018 13:42:55 GMT
there's a new theory that says the song that was #1 on the charts on your 14th birthday "defines your life" if you use this link, you can type in your birthday and see what was #1 on your day - in the USA if you grew up in the UK or elsewhere, you'll have to figure out the #1 song another way I was about to say that I can believe this theory is absolutely true because the music that was around when I was 13/14/15 made a massive impression on me.
However, upon finding out that my 14th birthday songs were 'Mama'/'Who Do You Think You Are' by the Spice Girls (UK) and 'Wannabe' by the Spice Girls (US) I'm slightly doubting the theory.
I bought a lot of singles that year (on cassette!), more that I ever bought in any other year of my life, though I was never a big Spice Girls fan. I did get their second single but neither of the two mentioned above. 'Who Do You Think You Are' was a favourite track that year however as it reminds me of German lessons in school.
The music that was around when you were 14 might define your life, I agree with that, but sadly the songs that reach number one are rarely the ones that have the most impact. I feel sorry of kids who were 14 recently - nothing much life-defining happening at the moment in music.
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Post by eloneen on Jun 3, 2018 16:53:54 GMT
I'm not crazy about much of the music that is currently popular, but the cool thing about pop music is that it speaks very powerfully to the young of its time. I don't feel like most current music is meant for people my age. My 14 year old son doesn't get most of "my" music, and I don't get most of "his" music. There are always a few songs from every era that will stand the test of time and have appeal across generations. I think it's supposed to be that way and I'm OK with that.  |
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Post by orioles70 on Jun 3, 2018 22:43:48 GMT
I think there's more good music being made now than at any time in history. But, I wasn't wild about the stuff my kids listened to when I'd drive them to school. Actually had to make a deal - 1 1/2 songs for them, alternating with 1 1/2 songs for me. But they also learned about classic rock through Guitar Hero. And they watched many seasons of Idol on TV. So who knows what they will look back on as the most important music of their teen years.
My son's favorite band is Tame Impala and when I tell him that Kevin Parker may be this generation's Jeff Lynne his eyes glaze over. (psychedelic sounds layered over catchy melodies, likes to produce other artists and sports a bushy beard). I gave my daughter a copy of NWR. 5 min later she handed it back - "I ripped it". Oh ok. She likes ELO so I can't complain that she doesn't obsess over the lyrics and liner notes ; ) She likes a band called Mother, Mother which I have never heard on the radio. Think one of her art class friends got her started on them.
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Post by queenofthehours on Jun 4, 2018 14:40:55 GMT
I think there's more good music being made now than at any time in history. But, I wasn't wild about the stuff my kids listened to when I'd drive them to school. Actually had to make a deal - 1 1/2 songs for them, alternating with 1 1/2 songs for me. But they also learned about classic rock through Guitar Hero. And they watched many seasons of Idol on TV. So who knows what they will look back on as the most important music of their teen years. My son's favorite band is Tame Impala and when I tell him that Kevin Parker may be this generation's Jeff Lynne his eyes glaze over. (psychedelic sounds layered over catchy melodies, likes to produce other artists and sports a bushy beard). I gave my daughter a copy of NWR. 5 min later she handed it back - "I ripped it". Oh ok. She likes ELO so I can't complain that she doesn't obsess over the lyrics and liner notes ; ) She likes a band called Mother, Mother which I have never heard on the radio. Think one of her art class friends got her started on them. Tame Impala are great! But I don't think there's much danger of them hitting the number one spot  . In 1997 maybe they would have, there seemed to be a lot more band-based music back then. I know I'd have been into them at 14. Every generation seems to be the same - the charts never reflect the quality of the music around. In the 60s you had Led Zepp but it was Engelbert at number one! It's the same today, there are great bands who never get near the top 40 so you never hear them.
The sad thing for me as a 14 year old though is that I hated ELO in those days (or rather I was ignorant). Wilburys were a favourite but ELO, no. Coolness was definitely an issue. Coolness is very important at that age and I did not think Jeff was cool. People say he has become cool in recent years but I think coolness is very subjective and is only a young person's issue.
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Post by elophile on Jun 4, 2018 15:02:59 GMT
I think there's more good music being made now than at any time in history. But, I wasn't wild about the stuff my kids listened to when I'd drive them to school. Actually had to make a deal - 1 1/2 songs for them, alternating with 1 1/2 songs for me. But they also learned about classic rock through Guitar Hero. And they watched many seasons of Idol on TV. So who knows what they will look back on as the most important music of their teen years. My son's favorite band is Tame Impala and when I tell him that Kevin Parker may be this generation's Jeff Lynne his eyes glaze over. (psychedelic sounds layered over catchy melodies, likes to produce other artists and sports a bushy beard). I gave my daughter a copy of NWR. 5 min later she handed it back - "I ripped it". Oh ok. She likes ELO so I can't complain that she doesn't obsess over the lyrics and liner notes ; ) She likes a band called Mother, Mother which I have never heard on the radio. Think one of her art class friends got her started on them. Tame Impala are great! But I don't think there's much danger of them hitting the number one spot . In 1997 maybe they would have, there seemed to be a lot more band-based music back then. I know I'd have been into them at 14. Every generation seems to be the same - the charts never reflect the quality of the music around. In the 60s you had Led Zepp but it was Engelbert at number one! It's the same today, there are great bands who never get near the top 40 so you never hear them.
The sad thing for me as a 14 year old though is that I hated ELO in those days (or rather I was ignorant). Wilburys were a favourite but ELO, no. Coolness was definitely an issue. Coolness is very important at that age and I did not think Jeff was cool. People say he has become cool in recent years but I think coolness is very subjective and is only a young person's issue.
Love Tame Impala!! Anyone listening to King Lizard and the Gizzard Wizard ? They are awesome and very prolific too and I feel like they often go hand in hand with Tame Impala when people talk about good new bands. As far as this Power of 14 goes - I suspect that it's a fishing scheme to match birth dates with stolen social security numbers.  |
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Post by eloneen on Jun 4, 2018 15:14:10 GMT
I wondered about that, too.  Hope it's not, though! |
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Post by orioles70 on Jun 4, 2018 17:22:12 GMT
I don't think it's a phishing scheme, but unfortunately you have to think that way these days. Since the #1 chart position only comes out once a week, maybe it's safer to put in a birthday just before or after the real one. What does get revealed by identifying your 14th birthday song is your age - but it seems like most ELO fans are "of a certain age" plus or minus a few.
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Post by Horacewimp on Jun 4, 2018 17:52:29 GMT
I’m not 14 until a few years time, can’t wait to see who will be number one on my birthday.  |
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Post by BSJ on Jun 4, 2018 18:12:26 GMT
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Post by vlogdance on Jun 5, 2018 13:26:06 GMT
If the 14th birthday song really defines your life - let's see what our heroes got.
Jeff: Moon River by Danny Williams (Well, the "Two drifters" line turned up in So Fine...)
Bev: Hoots Mon by Lord Rockingham's XI
Richard: Wonderful Land by The Shadows (He did end up visiting Musicland)
Kelly: Only Sixteen by Craig Douglas
Mik: I Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher
Hugh: All You Need Is Love by The Beatles
Mel Keep On Running by the Spencer Davis Group
and Roy: His Latest Flame by Elvis Presley
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Post by vlogdance on Jun 5, 2018 14:41:58 GMT
Also...
Michael de Albuquerque: Surrender By Elvis Presley (A future ELO song title. Just one day later, it would have been Runaway by Del Shannon, Jeff's hero)
Mike Edwards: Good Luck Charm by Elvis Presley
Wilf Gibson: As I Love You by Shirley Bassey (A Welsh lady! Clearly Wilf's destiny involved music-loving Welsh girls)
Louis Clark: Walk Right Back/Ebony Eyes by the Everly Brothers
and more recently, Mike Stevens: My Sweet Lord by George Harrison (Jeff would surely approve)
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Post by unomusette on Jun 5, 2018 21:16:48 GMT
Has Jeff ever sung Moon River? I bet he'd do a brilliant job  |
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Post by vlogdance on Jun 5, 2018 21:21:27 GMT
He got a ticket to there...
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Post by unomusette on Jun 5, 2018 21:30:10 GMT
But it's just one way  |
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Post by BSJ on Jun 5, 2018 21:57:18 GMT
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. In 1997 maybe they would have, there seemed to be a lot more band-based music back then. I know I'd have been into them at 14. Every generation seems to be the same - the charts never reflect the quality of the music around. In the 60s you had Led Zepp but it was Engelbert at number one! It's the same today, there are great bands who never get near the top 40 so you never hear them.
Hope it's not, though!
, but we're OK. 
Apparently it's quite hard to see them with the naked eye, you need to be looking through a camera or other type of lens?