I'm an early adopter and bought the original five gigabyte iPod way back when. I purchased and downloaded music from the iTunes Music Store when it opened. Since then, I've lost my mojo. Am I no longer iPod cool?
Yes, I check the iTunes Music Store (iTMS) from time to time. Since the store opened I’ve purchased nearly $1,500 in music, music videos, and TV shows for my Mac and iPod.
Not only did I buy songs from artists that I loved when I was young(er), but iTMS opened me up to new sounds and gave me a chance to celebrate music with a greater selection.
That’s cool, right? I’ve paid my iPod dues. So, where did my mojo go? It must be gone because I’m having a hard time finding artists that I’ve heard of on iTMS.
No, let me take that back. It’s not difficult to find them. I just don’t know who all the others are.
For example, right now on the iTunes Music Store home page is Barry Manilow’s Greatest Hits (I’ve got them), Andrea Bocelli’s Amore (I swoon), Alabama, and Lisa Loeb. Lisa who?
Uh oh. I can also pre-order Jack Johnson’s newest album. Jack who? See what I mean?
I love music videos. The selection at iTMS is anemic. I’m anemic, too, but it’s a medical condition, not a statement of inventory.
iTMS’ Top 100 music videos is a mixed bag of artists I’ve never heard, a few I’ve heard of and never scene or heard, and missing the ones I want.
At the top today is ‘Dance, Dance’ by Fall Out Boy. Uh huh. Ok. Who? At #4 is Jessica Simpson’s ‘These Boots Are Made For Walkin.’ Jessica’s hotter than Nancy Sinatra was at the same age. Nancy’s father was a better singer than Jessica’s father.
Where’s Shania Twain’s, ‘Man. I Feel Like A Woman.’ It’ll be a gift for a friend who pines oveer Shania’s toy boys.
TV shows from iTMS are hot and so is Apple’s iPod with video. I’ve managed to pick up a few episodes of ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ‘Battlestar Galactica.’ I love Steve Carell, but can’t handle ‘The Office.’
I downloaded a few Saturday Night Live classic skits. ‘Samurai’ anything is great stuff, no matter your generation.
The Top TV Shows? Uh oh. I’m lost. Dane Cook? I need to stay up later and get aquainted with a new generation. It’s tough enough to break in the new kids at SNL. Why is ‘Jackass, Episode 1’ in the Top 10?
What? Lewis Black didn’t even make the Top 10? That’s a travesty. Or an indication of a widening generation gap. Hey, I’m an adult. I have an iPod. I buy from iTMS.
Doesn’t that make me cool? Apparently not. I don’t have one epsidoe of South Park and wouldn’t think of downloading an episode entitled, ‘Catman Gets An Anal Probe.’
If you’re a generation or two removed from the generation that’s hot and hip, does that make you less than cool? No. Apple’s iTunes Music Store is a bridge for all ages.
I can stay in my pajamas and browse all day long. Try that at Wal-Mart or Tower Records or Sam Goody. Regardless, I’ve figured out why more of what sells actually sells to yonger generations.
It’s not because they’re cool. It’s not because I’ve lost my cool. It’s a scientific effect heretofore dubbed ‘The Patricks Reverse Cascading Effect.™’
Cascading downward from older to younger, each generation has more time to browse, shop, and define what’s cool than previous generations.
It’s not that we’re not cool, we just don’t have the time.
A few months ago my sister and her kids moved in with my wife and me. I really didn’t know I was that much out of touch musically (and I’m a musician). If it wasn’t for my niece I wouldn’t know a 50 cent from a plug nickel. Most of the stuff she listens to is drivel, but every now and then a cool gem of a song comes up (which, thank God, is never rap).
She’s opened my eyes to the new stuff a bit, bit but I still love the oldies but goodies (heck, they even sang better back then).