Sigh...

gotta love it.

non-permanence

Saturday, July 02, 2005

It's 5:00 pm. I'm still in my pajamas. Yes. I've brushed my teeth, I've even curled my hair again, as it lost its luster prior last night. I am in mercy of the television set. I have subjected my mind to cartoons (A Kim Possible movie and Toy Story 2) and now, behind the blasts of MTV.... I am writing this piece.

"would you be my girlfriend, i'll treat you good, i know you hear your friends when you they say you should..'Cause if you were my girlfriend I'd be your shining star The one to show you where you are Girl you should be my girlfriend"

-girlfriend, nsync 2001

I have been a slave to pop culture since I came to watch teen sitcoms like Saved By the Bell and 90210 in the 90's. And I have let no stone unturned. I loved them all. And even if I sometimes keep my mouth shut in spare of being called a faux trend minion, deep down inside, I truly have respect for phenomenons that managed to rock millions.... and that my friends include BOY BANDS.

Since my adolescence spurted at the end of the nineties, I didn't have the luxury of appreciating the originals... Jackson 5, Spandau Ballet, New Kids on the Block. But I was there when Nick, AJ, B-rock, Kevin and Howie promised to never break my heart and quit playing games. I was there when Code Red asked "Can We Talk?" and when Nsync busted "Dirty Pop".

While a cluster of my generation deal with teen angst by listening to grunge and angry rock, I was off in lala land with the words "As Long As You Love Me" and "...what's wrong with being selfish..?". It is just a magical phenomena that rocked high school. Even if I see people around being cool with their Alanis Morissette and Oasis albums, I bet they still ravel in guilty pleasure as they take their boy band cd's out of the closet and play them to relax.

It's sad that the artists had to grow from that kind of music and the whole dance innuendo. For me, it never ever grows old. As much as I love Justin Timberlake's solo album, I still resent him a little for leaving Nsync. It's just not the same seeing him dance with strangers other than Chris, Joey, Lance or JC. When Michael Jackson had his 30th anniversary celebration concert, he didn't just invite Justin Timberlake to perform.... he invited Nsync. Even at the height of Timberlake's solo career.

Why is it such a guilty pleasure? I would readily switch channels the minute Eminem comes on the screen. Or even when Mariah busts out with her emancipation through tight clothes and silly innuendos. But I would never turn off Backstreet Boys' "All I Have to Give" or Nsync's "Bye Bye Bye". When these bands make a video, it is truly a production. They are crooning their hearts out looking at you as if you were their world. While bustin' moves with smashing choreography and interesting story sequences.

It is entertaining because they convince you that they are yours. And with such sweet melodies, you get lost in a giggling frenzy and think that by owning their album just might make it true. It is truly a lost world. And while most think it's uncouth as the next Pauley Shore attempt for a career, I bet everyone has their own shallow embarassing guilty pleasure.

This is mine.

mades [ 6:09 PM ] 2 happy lost cabbages