THE VOICE OF A GENERATION
It’s hard to say who the voice of a generation is. If you grew up in the fifties, you might lean toward Elvis Presley. The grittier folks might give a shout out for Hank Williams. I can’t say. I wasn’t there.
While I was alive in the sixties, I don’t really get a vote in who the voice of that generation was. A lot of people will point to Bob Dylan. Another crowd will swear by the Beach Boys or the Beatles, others the Rolling Stones. The Who will draw some votes just because of their song, “My Generation”. Oh, and one preacher from Indiana will cast his die hard vote for Tommy James.
Whomever the voice of that generation, it’s clear that it was a generation that bucked the establishment. The kids of that generation were the first ones to rebel and insist their voice be heard. Even if they lacked the wisdom they accused their parents of not having.
The voice of the seventies is harder to pinpoint. Led Zeppelin would haul in a ton of votes for the voice of that generation. Abba is sure to grab its fair share of supporters. There will be the Pink Floyd diehards – tough to beat a name like that…
The people with the clubs and pitchforks that killed disco have gotten too old to carry their torches, so I’m certain a few polyester diehards will pump a fist for the Bee Gees. Sure, most of us think it’s just “Jive Talkin'”, but everyone gets a vote.
There will be some Eagles, Van Halen, Kiss, Elton John, Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, The Cars, and Boston fans, maybe even some Lynyrd Skynyrd. Peter Frampton, toss in Elvis Costello lovers casting their votes and we’re getting a glimpse of that generation’s voice.
The eighties had a voice – a weird one. The hairstyles said as much about the voice of that generation as the music did. Michael Jackson dominated the airwaves as well as MTV. Prince had an even bigger voice through not just his songs, but all the people he wrote songs for and produced.
Some Bruce Springsteen purists would point to his domination in the seventies and eighties to claim his was the voice. They’d be countered by the Aerosmith, Queen, and ACDC lovers.
A fair amount of votes would be cast for Guns N’ Roses, Bon Jovi, Tom Petty, Journey, or U2 and this abbreviated list from the eighties gives an insight into the voice and heart of that generation. (My sincere apologies to any Flock of Seagull lovers that they didn’t make the list)
For time and space sake, I’ll forgo the foray into the next couple of generations. Grunge and Hip Hop didn’t get any better or become the voice of reason in those generations either.
The taste of a society and generation is reflected in the music that sells. Not all the music from those generations was bad, some of it pointed to honorable things, but not the majority of it.
There’s always more than one voice in a generation. The younger we are the more the voices tend to speak to our flesh.
I still love the music, but God given sense lets me know that we’re no longer the kids from our generation. Like Kim Wilde was to mine. Plus, living Iggy Pop’s “Wild One” like a personal anthem has left me no longer to able to “Run Through The Jungle” to Creedence.
And you thought I’d forgot them…
Who would be your vote?
Sunday, May 21, 2017 @ 7:35 pm
Hi Floyd, a walk down musical memory lane. Funny how each generation generates something new, a voice that resonates above all others. I’m guessing it was voices, plural, in mine: like The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel to name some. Sometimes listening to other voices helps us to voice our own voice, to find our way. Of course, as Christians, we listen to THE Voice, who spoke a word, and the heavens and earth sprang forth. And I keep thinking: Will I use *my* voice to echo His–to speak out for what’s right, to speak up for those who can’t, and to speak words of encouragement to those who need it? Loved your post!
Blessings,
Lynn
Monday, May 22, 2017 @ 2:28 am
As a kid I loved The Monkees and in college Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Neil Diamond, and James Taylor often played on my record player. But when I turned my life over to Jesus, voices like that of Keith Green, Honeytree, Second Chapter of Acts, and Don Francisco echoed what was in my heart. I confess, today I love songs by Hillsong, Don Moen, Michael W. Smith, and Francesca Battistelli. Fun post, Floyd!
Monday, May 22, 2017 @ 5:44 am
Well you got my vote right! I’m still upset though because you forgot Kansas and Styx. Fact: some of the songs of the arena rock bands were just “Dust in the Wind.” They Sailed Away into nothingness (where many of them needed to go). But you can tell you weren’t Born on a Bayou because you had a pretty eclectic group of songsters there. Funny. We both wrote about music today. Different topic but interesting takes. Mercifully you left off some of the very forgettable ones. I’ll say Bye Bye Bye for now.
Monday, May 22, 2017 @ 8:36 am
Elvis was during my time of teens years, ,Neil Diamond, who ever was on American Bandstand. I did get into a little of Lynyrd Skynyrd in my 20’s. But my roots are country and they are deep and have lasted and spilled over into Southern or Country gospel when I got saved. I like some of the worship music that is popular today but my country roots are deep. When I get on Youtube it’s too listen to those songs that comes from my roots. I have been known to tell someone who has ask me about Christian music, which is best. I tell them what ever moves your heart, not your feet. After you listen to whoever is your heart turned toward the Creator of the Universe. Do those words sink deep into the core of your life, make you stronger in Him, give you courage to step out for Him. Because my country roots are deep I have to be careful not to fall back into the songs that do the opposite, you know the crying in your beer kind. As I read your list I really am glad I lived in the era of music that you could understand the words of the song. I don’t remember anyone talking about the hidden messages in that era but then i would not have listened if they told me. I like the era I grew up in, our two adult children both like different music then us but there is a bit of southern or country gospel in both of them from hearing me play and sing those songs. I should branch out more into more worship since most of my friends have but like I said, my roots are deep and I trust what makes my roots vibrate and want to touch the hem of His garment.
Good thoughts brother…
Monday, May 22, 2017 @ 9:02 am
I was forced to take “History of Rock and Roll” in college. Serious. We mainly listened to Roy Orbison. A LOT.
Monday, May 22, 2017 @ 9:52 am
Was it Nat King Cole in the 40’s singing “To spend one night with you, in our own rondevew?” (spelling) Personally I never swooned at Frank Sinatra, but some of my girl friends did. I was older, so Elvis was funny to me, but I loved his voice. What a trip down memory lane your post is. Thank you for another great story.
Monday, May 22, 2017 @ 1:56 pm
What I really liked was melodious and acoustic-guitar folk music, the words of which were audible and poetic. Gospel, too. I liked it all through the late 50s and the 60s. After that, I couldn’t find much of it, so I stopped listening. Everything seemed just to get louder and more pounding and less understandable. I shifted to mellower jazz and then spent a fairly long time–a decade–mostly listening to classical. What a bore I am!
Monday, May 22, 2017 @ 5:45 pm
Wow, I enjoyed this trip down music memory lane….you and my husband would get along great. I always tell him he is like a walking music encyclopedia! Bluegrass music is, and always will be, my first musical love. I can’t tell you how much I love the ring of a five-string banjo, like my Daddy played. During my teen years and even later, I did dabble in some of the groups you mentioned, which surely didn’t add anything to my spiritual well. Music is a huge draw for me, and I have to be careful what I do and don’t allow my ears to listen to, as it has a huge influence and effect on my spiritual life. I’ve learned the hard way.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017 @ 8:45 am
I liked the Beatles but not all songs, favorites for me were Bob Seger and some John Mellencamp, Chicago, but always Rod Stewart and the Bee Gees. Did you see the special presentation of their songs a few weeks ago? Have to agree with your line: “Not all the music from those generations was bad, some of it pointed to honorable things, but not the majority of it.” This was fun!
Friday, May 26, 2017 @ 6:42 pm
Floyd,
This line made me smile: “There will be the Pink Floyd diehards – tough to beat a name like that…” Hmm, I’m not sure who I would vote for…blessings to you and yours this Memorial Day Weekend 🙂