Gee, I dunno here. The icons have been smashed. The sacred cows have been lead to slaughter. Is there any music left that we're allowed to like?
Personally, I think we're all in need of a regular dose of schmaltz. It's what keeps us human. Expressions of warmth and emotion do tend to be a little syrupy, and the songs that are close to our own hearts are often the very ones others consider maudlin.
Now, in total honesty, I must admit that I regularly sing songs I think are horribly tasteless. I sing in a choir in a Catholic church. In fact, I sing in TWO church choirs, and both of them sing a lot of bad music. And if the music isn't bad, then the lyrics are theologically unsound. I joined the choirs because I disagreed with their selection of music, and I thought I could improve things better from within. As it turns out, I find I've had to compromise my values and sing what people want to hear. I am able to get rid of the very worst hymns, but I sometimes find myself liking songs I once hated.
My basic point is that I think we should use caution in our criticism. If people like a song, if it moves them, I see no need to burst their balloon. Music is a wonderful tool for expressing what's within our hearts. Our most heartfelt songs are often far from perfect in artistic quality, but that's OK.
But I still hate Rod McKuen.
-Joe Offer-