The separation between the artist and his music.

**Janszoon** · 04-20-2013, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sopsych

I was thinking about this, and I realized I want to believe the singer (of any song I much like lyrically) is coming from a similar place to me emotionally. If he or she turns out to be someone of poor character (which, for example, adultery almost always signals), that undermines the song's meaning to me. As in womanizing John Mayer churning out sentimental music because it will sell.

And, of course, the fact that John Mayer is also a racist doesn't bother you at all.

CrazyVegn · 04-20-2013, 10:29 PM

John Mayer's voice bothers me a lot! It's dweeby.

neardeathexperience · 04-21-2013, 07:44 AM

Personally I think it would put a huge crimp in my liking of a performer if I found out he was a child molester, or any other bad thing. Jerry Lee Lewis is a perfect example of a guy who put on a brilliant show, but was tainted by marrying his 16 year old cousin I believe.......

**Janszoon** · 04-21-2013, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neardeathexperience

Personally I think it would put a huge crimp in my liking of a performer if I found out he was a child molester, or any other bad thing. Jerry Lee Lewis is a perfect example of a guy who put on a brilliant show, but was tainted by marrying his 16 year old cousin I believe.......

She was 13 actually.

Wolfi65 · 04-21-2013, 08:39 AM

Interesting topic!
There was a local radio talk show host here who I listened to on and off, and on one of his shows he opened with an epiphany he'd recently had regarding music and musicians. He said that after reading X number of various biographies, articles, etc. about many of his musical heroes - mostly 60's and 70's Rockers - he realized that many if not most of them were basically just a bunch of drug addicts and that much of their music - the lyrics in particular - were really just the ramblings of someone VERY stoned or tripping, which caused him to lose a lot of respect and appreciation for them. Can't say I disagree.
Personally, I used to LOVE Bruce Springsteen growing up, he was definitely one of my musical heroes. Until I saw a few interviews, The Boss in his own words, up close and personal, and I realized - the guy's not very bright at all.
He's just really good at writing catchy tunes with cool lyrics.

sopsych · 04-21-2013, 11:23 AM

Springsteen probably isn't highly intelligent, but don't mistake inarticulate conversationalist for dumb.

I've known John Mayer is a cad long before Playboy. I don't really care if he has vaguely racist sexual preferences. To me, the only consequence of his saying that is he is even less sensitive than I thought.

**Janszoon** · 04-21-2013, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sopsych

Springsteen probably isn't highly intelligent, but don't mistake inarticulate conversationalist for dumb.

I've known John Mayer is a cad long before Playboy. I don't really care if he has vaguely racist sexual preferences. To me, the only consequence of his saying that is he is even less sensitive than I thought.

Vaguely racist? I'd say he's pretty explicitly racist. Watching you downplay racism to such a massive degree is certainly illuminating about where you're coming from though, I'll give it that.

Trollheart · 04-21-2013, 06:11 PM

I must agree with Jansz. Your anger against adultery speaks possibly of personal experience, though of course I don't know that, but I think most people if given the choice would rather be in a car/on a bus/in a lift etc with an adulterer than a racist. I mean, what's the former gonna do? Sleep with your wife?

Wolfi65 · 04-21-2013, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sopsych

Springsteen probably isn't highly intelligent, but don't mistake inarticulate conversationalist for dumb.

I've known John Mayer is a cad long before Playboy. I don't really care if he has vaguely racist sexual preferences. To me, the only consequence of his saying that is he is even less sensitive than I thought.

It wasn't the lack of articulation that bothers me regarding Mr. Springsteen, it's his incomplete and fairly ignorant grasp - or lack thereof - of the facts. In the interviews I saw, he was basically just parroting the en vogue talking points.

I have no idea who John Mayer is, but the term 'racist' is one of the most highly overused in our times.
Adulterer? You mean like every Rock star who ever lived?

sopsych · 04-21-2013, 10:46 PM

I agree that "racist" is overused, and it trivializes some important incidents. Anyway, if John Mayer were a hardcore racist, his career would be over.

Many rock stars are cheaters, I believe. Adultery means cheating when married. I perceive that the more ballad-oriented musicians are less likely to be cheaters. I don't expect much of the metal guys. Maybe that Neal Schon likely hasn't contributed much lyrically to Journey's (or his other bands') love songs is a reason why I mainly shrug at his dirty personal behavior.

04-21-2013, 11:23 AM	#46 (permalink)
sopsych Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: indoors Posts: 722	Springsteen probably isn't highly intelligent, but don't mistake inarticulate conversationalist for dumb. I've known John Mayer is a cad long before Playboy. I don't really care if he has vaguely racist sexual preferences. To me, the only consequence of his saying that is he is even less sensitive than I thought. __________________ If you have ideas or feedback for the site, visit The Musicbanter Improvement Thread.

04-21-2013, 06:11 PM	#48 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,992	I must agree with Jansz. Your anger against adultery speaks possibly of personal experience, though of course I don't know that, but I think most people if given the choice would rather be in a car/on a bus/in a lift etc with an adulterer than a racist. I mean, what's the former gonna do? Sleep with your wife? __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

04-21-2013, 10:46 PM	#50 (permalink)
sopsych Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: indoors Posts: 722	I agree that "racist" is overused, and it trivializes some important incidents. Anyway, if John Mayer were a hardcore racist, his career would be over. Many rock stars are cheaters, I believe. Adultery means cheating when married. I perceive that the more ballad-oriented musicians are less likely to be cheaters. I don't expect much of the metal guys. Maybe that Neal Schon likely hasn't contributed much lyrically to Journey's (or his other bands') love songs is a reason why I mainly shrug at his dirty personal behavior. __________________ If you have ideas or feedback for the site, visit The Musicbanter Improvement Thread.

04-20-2013, 10:29 PM	#42 (permalink)
CrazyVegn Left due to ban epidemic Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 498	John Mayer's voice bothers me a lot! It's dweeby.

04-21-2013, 07:44 AM	#43 (permalink)
neardeathexperience Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 531	Personally I think it would put a huge crimp in my liking of a performer if I found out he was a child molester, or any other bad thing. Jerry Lee Lewis is a perfect example of a guy who put on a brilliant show, but was tainted by marrying his 16 year old cousin I believe.......

04-21-2013, 08:39 AM	#45 (permalink)
Wolfi65 Groupie Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 35	Interesting topic! There was a local radio talk show host here who I listened to on and off, and on one of his shows he opened with an epiphany he'd recently had regarding music and musicians. He said that after reading X number of various biographies, articles, etc. about many of his musical heroes - mostly 60's and 70's Rockers - he realized that many if not most of them were basically just a bunch of drug addicts and that much of their music - the lyrics in particular - were really just the ramblings of someone VERY stoned or tripping, which caused him to lose a lot of respect and appreciation for them. Can't say I disagree. Personally, I used to LOVE Bruce Springsteen growing up, he was definitely one of my musical heroes. Until I saw a few interviews, The Boss in his own words, up close and personal, and I realized - the guy's not very bright at all. He's just really good at writing catchy tunes with cool lyrics.