Other than a few spasms here and there, such as when the music industry in the late Fifties and early Sixties decided that they couldn't beat 'em so they'd better join 'em ("the people are all running thatway, so I must run and get ahead of them, for I am their leader!"), the currently "cool" music (of whatever era) is intended to by played and sung at you -- and bought by you -- not sung by you. Then, shortly, it's declared no longer cool, so you'll toss out your recently purchased CDs and spend your hard-earned on the next load of (insert naughty word here).

There are folk songs and ballads from centuries ago that are still being sung, because they're good songs and people love them. Now that's cool!

Who's going to remember Britney Spears' latest "hit" a century from now? Next year? Next week?

Hang in there, Ruthie!

Don Firth