Generations of Music 2 - A Boomer & A Millennial

A Review of Music Through Generations

Part 2 - A Boomer and A Millennial

Alright, what happens when you look at a “Boomer” playlist and put it next to a “Millennial’s” playlist. I reached out to friends Susan (boomer) and Jade (millennial ) to get their favourite songs from when they were 16 years and their current (to the time of survey) favourites. Hearing the musical favourites of others can not only provide great insight to who they are but what was happening in the world at the time they were 16. This pairing could not be anymore different as night and day. It is also highly reflective of both generations and the people

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOUR FAVOURITE SONGS WERE WHEN YOU WERE 16!

Jade Ewing - Millennial - 16 Yrs Old - 2002

1. A Moment Like This - Kelly Clarkson
It is hard not to love Kelly Clarkson. There is a reason she won American Idol and is the most successful artist of the franchise. Her powerful voice and dynamic range just pull you in. Despite the fact that she clearly was marketed to the teeny bop generation of the early millennium, Kelly Clarkson has gone on to build an incredible career. She has had many 10 rated albums, been a winning guest coach on The Voice as well as started her own daytime talk show.

2. WORK IT - Missy Elliot
Ok why did I not get how dirty parts of this song could be. Jeez!!! Missy you get your groove on. Regardless, I was always up on the dance floor when this song played at the clubs when it was popular. It is raw, dirty and fun!

3. Hot in Herre - Nelly
The fantastic sounds of the dirty south. Funky mixes with a little bit of …. I really dig the deep base accented by the high almost cowbell like drum beat. I’m not ashamed to say I’m hot and want all our clothes off!

Susan Pacek - Late Boomer - 16 Yrs Old

The music on both of Susan’s playlists speaks to my my inner rock and roll soul in so many ways. This is where a 16 year olds then collides with this future rockers budding interest in classic rock. Some of this music shaped the music I listened to when I was 16. (That playlist is coming soon, don’t worry!)

1. We Will Rock You - Queen

Only Queen and Freddie Mercury could “Sing It” — And rock us they did! The intro of the guitar in this song just really helps it stand out. A classic riff with an abrupt ending. I was slow to completely appreciate Queen. Maybe I could say I was a closet Queen fan. Though they use a great deal of piano in their music . Fact, I love a rock song with solid use of the twinkle keys!

2. 50 Ways to Loose Your Lover - Paul Simon

I remember this song when I was young and really finding the chorus fun, rhyming the actions to the names of a man in order to escape. original or a cover? This is overall a fun song about getting out of that unwanted relationship. Paul Simon is another srtist I have a limited interest in. But then I will hear a song or realize it is Paul Simon and I am a little caught up in the free and easy jazzy upbeat sounds. The bridge instrumental in this song is really bright and fun!

3. Running On Empty - Jackson Brown

Jackson Brown has always been a favourite of mine from the 70s folky rock scene. This upbeat tune about getting away, leaving with nothing, and just leaving it all behind is also a solid rock tune with a piano in the rhythm of the song. The lyrics really strike a chord with me. Of course in ‘69 I was only 1 not 21 and I had no clue how much every now and then you would need to run into the sun and leave things behind.

4. Starman - David Bowie

One of my all time favourite David Bowie tunes. The harmonies of his voice, the acoustic guitar and ethereal plea to that starman he would be. Oh, man. When I heard of his passing, it was this song I played on repeat. The fact that it is a song about music itself “some cat was laying down some get it on rock and roll” The song is raw and catchy.

5. Bennie and the Jets - Elton John

Elton John is a rock/pop god. An artist who plays piano in almost every song while his musical style changed with the changing decades. Literally from his 70s rock and roll roots to 80s pop to love songs galore. The song is great. The long solo in this video version is overdone, however it would not be Elton John if it was not a little overdone, right!?

Jade Ewing - Millennial - 34 Yrs Old - Current

You are going to hear me say the following or a paraphrase of this throughout the remainder of Jades playlist. Her taste in music spans quite a broad spectrum of genres and eras. I would hasten to say that Jade’s is the most eclectic playlist I received when I did the survey. It is also exactly why I chose to include Jade as the lone millennial in the survey. Below are the songs as of the taking of the survey.

1. Last Child - Aerosmith

One of my all time favourite Aerosmith songs!! While I do think Aerosmith is a fantastic band they were never one of my top bands. As a front man, Steven Tyler is alright, there are definitely better.
This song does represent the best of Aerosmith. Like when Steven screams ‘Last Child!’ Good solid pick. I’m off to listen again.

2. Body- Megan Thee Stallion

Honestly I could not listen to this song. I dont have much to offer! It truly goes to show that we all truly have different tastes. The Missy Elliot meets L’il Kim is totally a jam, and I love Missy. On this, I just cant!

3. Sunday Kind of Love - Etta James

YES! Now here is a song I am so totally “vibing” with. No matter who we are in our process of loving music, there are always songs that define the different types of genres we gravitate towards. Etta tells it like it is with her soft vocals with sharp smooth follow through. I mean come on.., A Sunday Kind of Love… Does it now sound just right as she sings it to us. No troubles no worries just an easy Sunday kind of vibe!

4. Living Dead Girl - Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie and his band before he branched out solo, were making “zombie” style hits before the whole Zombie culture on television and movies took off. Living Dead Girl is the quintessential zombie based love song. Also a classic electronic rock song. The chorus talks of the living dead girl and how he feels. I almost hear a resonance of .Mr Skin, by Acid Test in this song. Rob Zombie is a little Rough harder sounding.
What I really love about this song being on the playlist, it reminded me there are songs / bands that I enjoy but forget to listen to.. Thank you for that Jade!

5. Bang - AJR

Well this song completely took me by surprise. Surprisingly I knew it despite feeling clueless, feeling like it was another song that would just be a HUGE no for me. As I said surprisingly, NOT. It has a catch and is one of those songs that you could get the hook in your head and roll with it annoyingly or not all day.

Susan Pacek - Late Boomer - 57 Yrs Old

Hanging out with Susan, she will want to 70’s R&B, she will want the music up and loud and will sing it out. Which is why I find her current top 5 to be so great! I said it before Susan’s was one of the easiest playlists to listen to front to back both now and then. Let’s take a look at the songs she currently (at the time of survey) what her favourite songs are.

1. Wild World - Cat Stevens

Cat Stevens and his song Wild World are new to me. Well, I guess the Cat Stevens version really. I have always loved the Peter Frampton cover of this song. Then later in life the remake by Maxi Priest. Which really turned me on to the song. I think this is my favourite. Am I allowed to like a cover more than the original?
As the lead song on Susan’s list I can see the bridge from her 16 year old self. A little mellower, but a fan of the good solid classics. There is also a great message in this song. Something I have always taken from it. The world is wild and it’s a grand place that is expansive and diverse as all our individual tastes. Also, it is “hard to get by just from a smile”. Though don’t we all want to try!!

2. You Can’t Always Get What You Want - The Rolling Stones

There is nothing more truer than the title of Susan’s second pic for her current top 5. As much as we all want specific things in life, Mick and the band had it right, With added hope, that if we “try sometimes, we just might find, we get what we need!”. So far this appears to be truth.
I love that there is a Rolling Stones song on the larger list of the Generations Playlist. While I know 100% my choice is going to be the Beatles, the age old question is, the Beatles or the Rolling Stones? (as asked by the band Metric) I notice there are no Beatles songs on Susan’s playlist

3. Baba O’Riley - The Who

I am a not a play all the time fan of The Who! They are one of the bands easiest forgotten by myself. They are a good solid band with a large number of fans. They just never resonated with me. Roger Daltry’s voice is so uniquely his own and what he brings to the sound of the songs from the raspy belting in this song to the soft touch in Blue Eyes. Overall this lends itself to what I am going to refer to as quintessentially Susan and a playlist for the generation. A late boomer generation that along with the young fellows in my father’s pipe and drum band introduced this GenX’er to the coming generation of rock and roll in the 80’s. When I think of the who I think of the song “Behind Blue Eyes”. Oh those British bands, they do invade our musical charts often!

4. Summer Wind - Frank Sinatra

You don’t know how happy seeing Ol Blue Eyes on a list leaves me feeling. That man could certainly croon and I am so happy he is on the list. I have always felt drawn to the swagger of “the Rat Pack”. The way Frank, Dean and Sammie would croon. Is there anything like that in today’s music?
Summer wind is a fantastic example of the swoon in the croon. A song filled with that jazzy blues feeling is always a favorite. The song is easy and Frank was a success because fo great songs just like this one.

4. Summer Wind - The Grateful Dead

What list of favorite bands would not include a song from The Grateful Dead. Honestly, I know they have a cult following and people just love them, I have never gotten the dead fever. I think it was a little before my time and a little too folky for my liking. However I apparently do know their music because I knew this song already. I will admit that this song does sound fun. The happy move along guitar picking and the snazzy little drum beats.

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