Random title, I know. Or maybe not so random if you remember the contents of the last post on this blog(which I'm sure you don't because, honestly, who can keep count of all my obscure references?). Anyway, the name of the game is randomness in these parts, so you shouldn't really be surprised.
Before my sarcasm actually becomes annoying, I'll start this post properly by asking "WTF does the title mean? And why can't I get those damn lyrics out of my head??". In case you haven't realized(or recalled) yet, the title is actually a section from the lyrics to Britney Spears' hit song(I use the term loosely) "Toxic", which Wikipedia says was released in 2004. Now I usually prefer music that contains intelligent and thought provoking lyrics(and I don't mean to sound elitist here), includes a badass guitar riff or that is instrumental in nature and there are other criteria as well. But that's not what I'm here to talk about...I'm trying to talk about why, when I usually prefer totally different kinds of music, I still enjoy mindless songs like Britney's "Toxic". After all, it contains almost everything that I think is wrong with pop music today(including and not limited to, generous - and I mean GENEROUS - amounts of nudity, as well as sexual references that are as subtle as an elephant). And just for the record, I do enjoy those kinds of things, I just think that they require a more proper context and more subtle handling, as well as some kind of measure.
I think the main reason that this song(and others like it) are a guilty pleasure of mine is because they're "catchy". It's actually as simple as that(it's also because I don't really have any other explanation). There's absolutely nothing to appreciate from a lyrical standpoint and yet I still enjoy the song. I guess it also has something to do with the fact that music, at the end of the day, stimulates your hearing and to be honest, this song also sounds catchy to me. Another similar song that comes to mind right now is Katy Perry's "E.T.". Now before I talk more about it, I'd just like to remind everyone of the genius of Katy Perry's lyrics("Do you ever feel like a plastic bag?", anyone?), as well as her tendency to shoot anything from whip-cream to sparks out of her boobs during her music videos(I mean, seriously, do we really need a FURTHER reminder that she has them?). This kind of "genius" would usually be enough to not make me listen to another one of the particular "artist's" song...and yet I do like "E.T."(as well as "I Kissed A Girl", which I'm sure EVERYONE remembers). Another factor, I think, is that catchy is strongly linked to whether or not a song makes you feel like dancing. And I have to admit that there's something in these songs that stimulate that part of me as well. I guess the title of this post should actually be a question regarding the nature of the word catchy(hmmm, good idea). Admittedly, the fact that I can actually be entertained by this kind of song is kind of disappointing to me, but I can console myself with the fact that while they have this catchy nature, it is ephemeral(meaning I like them for a couple of days). And yet, that catchy nature has an uncanny ability to come back at the most random of times.
And now I shall invite the readers of this blog(heh, who am I kidding?) to share in my guilty pleasure. Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOZuxwVk7TU
