OBrien 1 Joe OBrien Ms.

Olding English 200: Section 01 11 February, 2014 My Musical Literacy Narrative I have always felt that I have had a pretty diverse taste in music; Ill listen to pretty much anything. I think I have my parents to thank for that, they listen to pretty much anything, which is kind of odd for some people to think. Im lucky because I know that some other peoples parents can be very judgmental of the music they listen to, although that doesnt mean mine have not disapproved of some songs Ive listened to. I definitely have developed my own taste in music that has roots in the music that they would listen to when I wasnt old enough to control the radio yet. Obviously, I think that my taste in music is better than theirs because its mine. It includes things I like and they dont and things they like and I dont. Actually the first song on this list is a because of them. Sympathy for the Devil Live by: The Rolling Stones My dads favorite band has always been The Rolling Stones, and it will always be. Naturally as I grew up, I heard a lot of the Stones. I even saw them when I was in the seventh grade as they were on their Bigger Bang tour. It was an awesome experience that I got to share with my dad, mom and brother. The Rolling Stones and other classic rock artists were the type of music I listened to up until about middle school.

OBrien 2 The live version of this song comes off of their 1970 album, Get Yer Ya-Yas Out: The Rolling Stones Live. I think I like it so much because it doesnt exactly sound the same as the studio recording but it definitely has its own great unique sound. It reminds me of the concert I had the opportunity to see and reassures my belief that they are the best rock n roll band ever. In da Club by: 50 Cent I think that I can probably thank this song for breaking the mold on the types of music I really enjoyed listening to. Before this song I pretty much despised rap and other types of pop music because they werent hardcore enough for me, a white suburban kid from the middle of Ohio. This song really got me into listening to rap and other types of music other than rock. Even though at the time it came out, I probably knew about less than half the references 50 Cent makes, it was an upbeat song that made you want to dance and make you feel like you might be a little better than everyone else. Although, there are a lot of rap songs like this that might seem a little extravagant and over the top, I can thank this song for helping me be more open to rap and discover songs they did hold some true meanings. Reptilia by: The Strokes Although, I had become more open to music and willing to listen more and more genres and artists, as I entered high school I think that my heart still lied with rock. The Strokes have always been one of my favorite rock artists. They have a very unfinished sound about them, which I think I like the most. They show that not everything has to be so crisp and clean cut to be acceptable and enjoyed. I still really enjoy going through their albums and seeing which songs I recognize and like. Soundtrack 2 My Life by: KiD CuDi

OBrien 3 Kid Cudi can probably take all the credit for transitioning my favorite genre from rock to rap. In this song, I think it was the first time I heard real emotion being poured out in a rap. His first album, Man on the Moon: The End of Day, is presented as a story, which is partly narrated by Common, another famous rapper, as he speaks between tracks telling the listener what the Man on the Moon(Kid Cudi) is doing. Soundtrack 2 My Life is the second track on the album and is all about the issues that Kid Cudi has dealt with and how being well known rapper doesnt mean that life is suddenly ok. This represents that no matter where you are in life, whatever youre going through, there are other people somewhere else going through their own issues. I looked for more Kid Cudi music and found his first mixtape, A Kid Named Cudi, which was in my mind one of the best mixtapes ever released. I have enjoyed pretty much everything else he has released this then and he is easily my favorite rapper. Recently, he has made some music that some of his fans have found to be too out there, but I still enjoy it. Fly by: Sugar Ray Although, rap may be my favorite type of music to listen to now, my favorite song of all time is still an alternative rock song. Fly by Sugar Ray is easily my favorite song that will instantly make me feel better. If Im sad, it cheers me up; If, Im already in a good mood it just gets better. Im not sure what it is about the song, the upbeat tempo, the random singing in the background, or even the lyrics, but it just gets me. We Aint Them by: Childish Gambino This song is by an artist that I feel is one of the most talented people ever. Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino when he raps, is a genius as a writer, actor, rapper and

OBrien 4 comedian. This song pretty much is about going your own route and pretty much forgetting about what everyone else ever told you to be. It inspires me to make sure that I always am doing what Im passionate about. Also, in one part of the song, his parents remind me of mine when he says That reminds me - I sent a long text message to my mom and pop/ I got the same speech when I left 30 Rock/ My mom like "Why you wanna leave a good job?"/ My dad like "Do your thing, boy, don't stop". My mom and dad would probably react the same way, respectively. Drink in My Hand by: Eric Church Although, this song may not be the exact song that caused me to start liking country music, which I used to hate, it is a good representation of why I did start to like country. Songs like this really made me start to appreciate country music because they made me feel stress free and in the mood to let loose for a little(or a lot). Im really glad that I opened my mind to country because there are a lot of songs that can fit a whole range of moods. Through the Wire by: Kanye West I felt compelled to put this song on my 8-trrack because Kanye and I have gone through the same unique experience, having our jaws wired shut. In the beginning of the song, he describes only being able to drink protein shakes and how it drives him crazy and I can totally relate to those pains. This song is also about not letting anything stop you from achieving your dreams and that message can be very important to let people know. I know that my track list may have a little bit of everything, but is good in my mind. I try to be accepting as possible in my life and hopefully my music taste can mirror that virtue. Music can act as a good way to connect with others and experience a different point of view.

OBrien 5 Works Cited Childish Gambino. We Aint Them. Royalty. Donald Glover, 2012.