THE BEAT GOES ON
God only knows what the next generation’s going to turn out like, but I wonder about it all the same. I ponder the significant changes in our society, how they’ll never be able to grasp the world we grew up in, just like we can’t truly grasp theirs.
“Turn that thing down!” I remember my dad telling all of us at one time or another when we were listening to music. Sometimes in the house on the cheap HiFi that was available back then. Other times it was in the cars or trucks, his at first, then eventually ours, but he’d always end the demand with an, “It hurts my ears!”
I never believed it really hurt his ears, I mean not much did hurt him. A piece of sheet metal would always cut him while he was at work, some all the way to the bone; nasty gashes. He’d use duct tape to pull the separated flesh back together and close the bloody manmade valleys by wrapping the grey tape around a couple of times.
Hearing a ringing in his ears, something he hadn’t experienced in his early life, must have felt like it was doing damage. Course, his hillbilly roots and country persuasion didn’t pair too well with the kind of Rock-N-Roll we were spinning.
My generation, well, relative to our parents generation, we were spoiled, we had things our parents never dreamed of having… like loud stereos and they just kept on getting louder. My first car was a dinosaur by today’s standards, but back then Craig Powerplays were state of the art stuff.
My parents, especially my dad, couldn’t grasp why our generation liked to listen to music so loud that you couldn’t talk over it. I had a truck back in the nineties that had speakers, all types, big ones, medium ones, and little ones throughout the massive four-door crew cab. Behind and under the backseat was stuffed full of more bass speakers and amplifiers to adequately drain both batteries in the powerhouse diesel if I dared to play it without the engine running.
You could hear that truck coming from a mile away, and not because the rattling diesel engine either. It was so loud it rattled brains, teeth, quaked the seats and anyone sitting in them right through to their soul.
There have been plenty of occasions where I’ve cranked up the stereos in my truck and the house and none of my girls liked it, I mean not for a second. They’re different than us, well me anyway, they aren’t enamored with fine sounding stereos that have been a part of their entire lives.They have a different perspective than my generation.
If they have a different perspective for something as simple as the sound of a stereo, there’s no doubt they’re gonna have a different perspective for everything else in their lives as well.
The things we bequeath to the next generation will impact not just their generation, but the ones that follow them. Only God knows what technological advances will follow after us, but the true treasures we pass along won’t be stereos or money. They’ll be the treasures that are worth far more than anything money can buy, things like honesty, character, and the love and truth of God above…
And who knows, maybe an old Cars CD that they’ll crank up in memory of the generation that ruined their hearing… voluntarily…
Then again, looks like they’ll be smarter than that… and me…and the beat goes on.
(By the way. Here’s a Cars tune, just in case you have a stereo and want to crank one up… for old times sake…)
Cynthia
Wednesday, July 30, 2014 @ 8:52 pm
Hey Floyd!
Great post. Yeah, I hope we pass on character, honesty and the love of God, too. My kids were raised on old-school tunes, so they love the the music of the 60s-on up. I remember my grandmother saying that the world must be coming to an end when she witnessed Prince, on a TV special, with the butt-cheeks of his pants missing. I thought that he was soooo cool and that get-up was very funny. Being a country girl, I thought that he must be awfully cold with his butt out like that, as I sang along with whatever his newest song was, back then…what a hoot!! Joy to ya’~
Floyd
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 6:14 pm
Too funny! I’m with your grandmother, I never thought much of the way Prince dressed, but his musical genius is almost unparalleled. He wrote more hit songs in the eighties than anyone by a mile! I’m still hard pressed to turn off Purple Rain if I hear it playing, the world can wait… Thanks for sharing that, Cynthia. We share the most important things in this life; Our Father and the desire of His will in our children. It’s a family thing!
Bill (cycelguy)
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 2:18 am
I heard those words a lot. I liked my music and I liked it loud. My rock was so different from my parents’ lounge music or “now I lay me down to sleep” music. i still like it but do get annoyed at car stereos rattling my cage…2 or 3 cars over. Both my girls like music, but not as much as me. I do hope i have passed on my values of honesty,integrity, etc if I haven’t passed on my love for rock music.
Floyd
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 6:17 pm
I know! It’s seems odd that they don’t share our appreciation for music! Funny, not that I turned my truck up that loud often, but now that it’s not me I do find it annoying! How’s that for honest? Thanks, Bill.
Bill (cycelguy)
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 2:19 am
Forgot; wasn’t much of a fan of the Cars. That was after my generation. 🙂
Floyd
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 6:18 pm
What?!!! How can you not be a Cars fan? Kidding, I hear you, Bill.
Lisa notes
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 6:19 am
So you’ve got me rocking’ out over breakfast listening to “Let’s Go” as loud as my laptop can play it. 🙂 I was a Cars fan. I still occasionally turn up my music a little too loud when I’m in my car. Both my kids love music, my younger one probably the most. She’s learned how to play the guitar so I can Youtube videos occasionally from her and her roommate of covers they’ve done together.
One thing I notice that’s different between the generations is getting drivers’ licenses. Back in our day, you turned 16 and you were at the door of DMV. But now (in my neck of the woods anyway)many kids are in no hurry, content to let their parents continue driving them around. Hmmm…
Floyd
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 7:03 pm
Good for you, Lisa! Somehow I’m not surprised! That’s so cool that your youngest plays guitar! My youngest took lessons and can play a bit, but isn’t that into it now. But I have to say, she was at the DMV as soon as we could get her there once she turned sixteen. It’s the same around here too, kids not in any hurry, my little one must have enough of her dad’s hillbilly roots!
Thanks, Lisa… “Let The Good Time Roll”!
Caleb Suko
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 9:44 am
I find that the older I get the more I enjoy the absence of noise! We just got back from a month long road trip and when we were on the road it seemed like every 5 minutes I was telling my kids to quiet down.
That being said, my greatest desire is to pass on to my children a deep love for Jesus and others!
Floyd
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 7:04 pm
And you’re doing it, my friend. And it shows in your kids. Thanks, Caleb.
Jason Stasyszen
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 9:57 am
That’s great! I never got into really loud music for the sake of being loud even though I’ve always loved music. We have such a responsibility to communicate and impart the things that matter, just as you said. It’s gotta be grace, I know that much! Thanks Floyd.
Floyd
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 7:05 pm
Good call, Jason. I know you’re doing your part. If I could play music like you I’d play it so loud you’d be able to hear it in Oklahoma!
Thomas Mason
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 10:13 am
I remember listening to my tunes and still at home. I don’t think my mom liked my loud music. I never got into the vehicle speaker thing but I had my big headphones plugged into the home stereo system. My favorite tune from The Cars is “Drive” and I especially enjoy listening to it while driving.
Floyd
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 7:06 pm
Headphones… novel concept! I tend to listen to my iPod at the gym too loud too! I like that song too, Thomas… and fittingly enough… when I’m driving! Thanks, Thomas.
Sharon
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 10:57 am
I’m like you, wondering how the next generation will affect the world. Some days, reading the headlines, I wonder if the Lord will return for us before our kids grow old.
It seems to me that I’m much *closer* to my kids than my parents were to me. Not in a heart connection, but in a *generation gap* sort of way. I feel like my kids and I have been friends, without the same authoritative distance between parent and child that existed between me and my parents, especially my dad. I seem to have a different level of communication with my sons, an honesty and openness that is different than what I had growing up. In some ways, this provides wonderful opportunities to pass on good values and faith lessons.
These verses came to my mind:
““Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7, NLT)
This is the legacy we are called to pass on.
May we be diligent in doing that – even when they’re all *grown up* like my boys (31 and 27).
Now, as to music?? I am a child of the 70’s. Maybe that’s why MY ears ring all the time?!
GOD BLESS!
(The beat goes on, the beat goes on
Drums keep pounding
A rhythm to the brain
La de da de de, la de da de da…
Great, Floyd, now THAT song is going to be stuck in my head all day. Grrr, Sonny and Cher…)
Floyd
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 7:09 pm
Awesome comment, Sharon! I appreciate all the mental consideration you give to things! Wisdom follows you in your shadow, my friend! Excellent verse!
That song was stuck in my head when I typed the title… until I listened to the Cars! Thanks, Sharon.
David Rupert
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 2:23 pm
My first thought seeing your album cover was “Let the Goods Roll.”
Yup, I had a 56 chevy wagon. And the back of the floorboards in that wagon served as a massive speaker box. Amazing the sound I could get from a cassette tape.
Interesting observation. There are some “Thumpers” going down the street these days, but most people want their music personal — in their ears. In my home, I’m the only who cranks the stereo.
Of course I always wait till every is gone.
Floyd
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 7:11 pm
See there! We’re cut from the same generation, my friend! Last night I was home alone and cranked up the stereo until my dogs were giving me dirty looks! For Christmas my girls got me a Bose speaker to hook up to my computer. It cranks! We’re getting older, just not growing up! Thanks, David. A 56′ wagon… sweet.
David Rupert
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 2:23 pm
My first thought seeing your album cover was “Let the Goods Roll.”
Yup, I had a 56 chevy wagon. And the back of the floorboards in that wagon served as a massive speaker box. Amazing the sound I could get from a cassette tape.
Interesting observation. There are some “Thumpers” going down the street these days, but most people want their music personal — in their ears. In my home, I’m the only who cranks the stereo.
Of course I always wait till every is gone.
Lynn Morrissey
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 6:26 pm
Well, judging by the year this song was released, I was ten years ahead of you. And definitely there are changes with each generation. But you’ve proven that some things never change (or shouldn’t)–the things that matter to God and make life worthwhile. I’ve said it many times, Floyd. I love how you spin yarns, pull great stories from your past, and always make s strong spiritual point. I know your dad would have been proud of you!
Blessings,
Lynn
Floyd
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 7:15 pm
Good call, Lynn; in the end the best and lasting things come from our Father, and like Him, they aren’t changing! Thanks for the kind words, my dad was always proud of me, of the good things, and forgiving of the dumb ones… that’s love like our heavenly Father intended it. Blessings to you and yours, Lynn.
Barb Raveling
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 6:31 pm
I am not a fan of noise 🙂 but I do occasionally like to turn up the car stereo and dance to the music with the kids while driving. It’s about the only time I enjoy loud music!
Floyd
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 7:16 pm
See there? You’re a kid at heart too! It’s amazing how the kids react when we act like them… I probably don’t do that near enough… Thanks, Barb.
Rick Dawson
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 6:41 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w63uRdAVOtM
Says it all – from a certain point of view 🙂
Floyd
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 7:19 pm
That first album was so unique… I wore out my 8-track! Awesome song!
Rick Dawson
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 6:43 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kzyRM0Sjl8
Another one…
Floyd
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 7:20 pm
That one is great too! My favorite of his was “Everyday People”. Thanks, Rick!!!
Betty Draper
Thursday, July 31, 2014 @ 8:32 pm
I still like my music loud…note…I said “my music”. Especially when there is tight harmony involved. All other noise (music) I can only tolerate for a little while. Rock and roll was our things yet I was a country music fan even then. Both our kids love to play their music loud so I think I rubbed off on them. Good post.
Floyd
Friday, August 1, 2014 @ 5:24 pm
I don’t think that’s a bad thing! Actually, growing up listening to old country kinda settled in veins too, Betty. I have my moods! Thanks, sister.
Hazel Moon
Friday, August 1, 2014 @ 12:21 am
I must pass on the loud music, but in my day we enjoyed the ballads and songs with real words you could understand. Todays kids can crank up their music with their I-pods and ear phones and no one is the wiser (but it must hurt their ears eventually.) I too wonder what the next generation will be able to leave to their children. I hope it is some of what we leave for them.
Floyd
Friday, August 1, 2014 @ 5:26 pm
I think you’re right with the headphones, they’re rocking their eardrums, we just don’t know it! May we leave the lasting characteristics of our Father in their lives, I know you are, Hazel.
Jennifer Dougan
Saturday, August 2, 2014 @ 5:36 pm
Floyd,
My son listens to loud music downstairs now, and grins at my taste in music which I crank up loud at times too.
I’ve been remiss at replying. Sorry about that. 🙂
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Floyd
Sunday, August 3, 2014 @ 4:30 pm
It is funny to see how our kids respond when they get a glimpse of who we were when we were their age! No worries, sister, I know how busy life can be! Great to hear from you, Jennifer.
June
Sunday, August 3, 2014 @ 12:47 pm
Let’s pray it is the essentials you listed, not the non-essentials that shape their perspectives. It seems like every generation has the deck stacked higher against them – but that may just be my skewed perspective. To quote a hobbit, there’s still a lot of good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for. One of our greatest weapons is instilling our faith {in} to the next generation. Great post, Floyd, as always. And thank you, too, for visiting me faithfully each week. Your comments always encourage.
Floyd
Sunday, August 3, 2014 @ 4:31 pm
Great point about believing the next generation and trusting them, that goes a long way, it did with us too. Thanks, June, and you’re welcome too. My pleasure.
Nannette and the Sweetheart
Sunday, August 3, 2014 @ 1:06 pm
I’m with Hazel…the earbuds are surely being detrimental to this generations hearing. With three sons in the house I recall so many times telling them if I could hear so clearly what they were listening to through earphones…it was too loud! What?? (always the response, lol)
Great post as always, Floyd. You always seem to take me back to a memory or two.
Floyd
Sunday, August 3, 2014 @ 4:32 pm
Too funny! Yeah, either “What?” or “Huh?”, thinking back, that’s my exact questions too! Some things never change! Thanks, Nannette!
Nancy
Thursday, August 14, 2014 @ 10:31 am
Intrinsic values, instilled within
Go far beyond things, so fleeting
Armed with Truth and Right from God
Salvation’s song is beating
It overcomes the noise of Life
Sweeping aside things passing
We’re ultimately drawn to higher pursuits
To those that will be everlasting!
Nancy Kehr
Floyd
Friday, August 15, 2014 @ 4:22 pm
That is awesome! Thanks for sharing this, Nancy. I’m honored!