The Tri-County Journal
& Chattahoochee Chronicle
PO Box 850, 71 Webb Lane
Buena Vista, GA 31803
229-649-6397
tjournal@alltel.net |
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Sorry, but I don't like the music or clothes of today |
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People have different likes and dislikes. I don’t like rock music and boom-boom boxes or loud music in general. Rock seemed radical with the Beetles but later on some rock really grew filthy, hard and mean. Much rock music is non-musical and strident to me. A lot of lyrics make no sense to my apparently out-of-date ears. I just try to avoid the sound and fury of rock as a matter of choice.
The world changes and music changes with it. Each generation tends to be somewhat different. Organizations – even churches – change names. Many new words are added over time. Changes keep manufacturers of vehicles, clothing and other items in business. In the area of music, rock certainly added a new dimension in entertainment and financial success.
I grew up when live performances, movies, bands, radios and records were the basic means of entertaining people. Hollywood turned out many musicals starring Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and others. Gospel singing and country music was popular then and have remained so.
Soft “mood” music was in when I flexed my young wings. While there were songs about failed love and other tragedies, music in general relaxed and soothed people. There was little “hate” music or songs with foul language or evil intent. Music that carried me through the teens and into young manhood had themes and words easy to understand. People danced to Guy Lombardo’s band.
Along with hard rock came loud music. Discordant music and vocalizing leads to jangled nerves and damage to ears. A boom-boom box going full blast must be hard on ears. I prefer softer, more relaxing music. Or, better yet, give me the music of a nearby trout stream or a light breeze sighing through the pines.
Stars of rock music, country and gospel, become “American idols” and get rich. People flock to their performances and buy their tapes and CDs. Sadly, some entertainers ruin their lives or die young due to drug use or reckless living. As I have no human “idols” in music or sports, I must not be up with the times.
The way people dress is another matter. I recall rather longingly scenes of girls wearing white blouses and blue jeans rolled up to reveal neat white socks. Many girls wore hairdos down to or just above the collar, though some wore long hair tied with a ribbon. Girls wore skirts that reached just to or below the knees. Prints and pleats were popular. The girls looked appealing and sweet, while displaying their charms somewhat more subtly than some do today. As a rule they were cautious with boys on early dates until they figured them out. I still recall Mother’s admonition, “It is your responsibility to treat girls right and don’t get them into trouble!”
Styles change. Today there are mini skirts or skintight (hip hugger) pants, with a wide bare space between the “halter” and the low slung pants. Some pants are so tight that a dimple would show (a critic might ask, how close does he look?). Times changed. My Mamma Lela Justus was shocked at seeing a line of chorus girls come dancing out and swinging their legs high on her black and white TV!
A few girls were “tom boys” and played rough and tumble sports with the boys. Except on dates, parties and events, boys usually hung |
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out with boys and girls with girls. Now boys and girls are thrown together from day care and preschool on. By teenage years, boys and girls ride around unchaperoned and mingle in bowling alleys, gyms, dorms, and even serve together in military units in the field. Does all this togetherness bring more mutual respect, trust and sound relationships between the sexes? I would hope so but marriage breakups, etc., reflect something else.
I’m an informal guy who likes to wear shorts and t-shirts. But look at those baggy pants and shorts styles, with oversized shirts and huge shoes teenagers and men often wear. I figure pro basketball players started this trend when they began wearing baggy looking shorts. I am puzzled regarding some fads, such as wearing blue jeans with holes purposely ripped in knees or in the rear.
Someone asked a friend of mine, “Does Bob Justus fish all the time?” Now the inquirer knows I am also a clothes and music critic. |
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