Some good views expressed here. I very much like the idea of teaching my daughter to laugh at the "body-rubbing-crap-pop" (nice turn of phrase, King Brilliant) and, as Venthony suggests, I do try to continually introduce her to "real" music and "real" musicians, only time will tell if any of it sticks!
Liz, you sound as though you've been on the front line yourself recently with "the bratling" and although you're right to be strong and stand your ground on these issues while trying to give a balanced exposure to the real world, are you sure you're not at risk of prosecution by using the Melodium as a punishment?.......Surely that's too harsh! :~)
Misophist, in context your "lunatic rant" sounds perfectly reasonable to me and I do often complain about the "musical shit" on offer but in truth it's usually a one sided conversation involving me and the T.V. and I rarely, if ever, seem to win the argument!
I reckon Jerry's right about finding the balance and I suppose the trick to it is try and find the positive elements of todays culture while still keeping one foot rooted in the best bits from the past.
Every generation has a different perspective on the same era and I may be a little old fashioned for this one. This could be the price of starting a family at 40!
By the way Jerry, I used to play "Hip to be square" up until fairly recently, I reckon you've got me figured out!
Bobert, Sorry about the "Splish-Splash thing. I sympathise entirely. After starting this thread last night I can't stop singing "My old man's a dustman".
I must've stirred up some other classics that have been just waiting for this moment!
Was the American music scene of the late 50's/ early 60's peppered with kids songs? I remember "The big rock candy mountain" and the "Beep-Beep" song but most of the stuff we heard in the U.K. was put out by home grown entertainers/comedians.