"A lil' bit of this, a lil' bit of that.."

“So, what kind of music do you listen to?”

The NUMBER of times I have been asked that question! Mostly, the person asking the question couldn’t care less. It’s just a way of making conversation. But every single time I’m asked this, I always have trouble answering it.

For most others, it’s straightforward enough. “Rock.” “Country.” “Pop.” “Gospel.” And then there’s the minority, like me, who shrug, develop large creases in our foreheads that give rise to pained expressions, and say, “Oooooh, a lil’ bit of this, and a lil’ bit of that.”

Sounds really vague, I know. And most people end up thinking that I’m not what they define as a ‘music person’. But those who know me better will tell you that isn’t the case at all.

Well, the reason my reply is so vague and half-hearted, is because I find it hard to draw any boundaries to my taste in music. Frankly, I don’t see the need to have any boundaries in the first place. There’s no reason why anyone should like only a particular genre now, is there?? Why do so many people insist that they listen to rock, even when they go home and listen to Westlife and Boyzone?? That’s music too, isn’t it? And there’s nothing wrong with admitting that maybe you do really like the Backstreet Boys. And George Michael. And Britney Spears. And Pankaj Udhas. I mean, SO WHAT? It’s your choice, and no one else should have a say in it.

Also, the NUMBER of people I’ve met, who think that Hindi music is ‘uncool’!! They scoff at people who sing Hindi songs, people who know all the lyrics to ‘Dil Ko’. Who do they think they are? I can understand if they genuinely do not LIKE Hindi music. Or if they have trouble understanding the words. But to look down on something that is different from your tastes, THAT is something I will never be able to fathom.

Any rhythm, however quaint, that accompanies simple words about life and its little twists and turns, oddities and surprises, which makes sense to me, is music to my ears. There’s so much expression in a song. So much to interpret, and wonder at. How can there be just one Correct kind of music? And WHY do people judge others by their taste in music??

Do I sound angsty? Sorry. I’m not. It’s just something I wonder about each time I’m asked The Question. I don’t profess to like all genres in music. My taste in music is not all-encompassing. I detest death-metal. I also hate Britney. And Christina Aguilera. And Justin Timberlake. But I’m not one of those people who will force my likes or dislikes on anyone else. To each, his own, I say.

Why have I chosen to bring up such a trivial, insignificant topic? It’s probably because I’m a big Westlife fan, and I’ve always been worried about stating that fact to people.

Nah. I’m kidding. I AM a big Westlife fan, or atleast, I used to be, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to feel ashamed of the fact. Then again, maybe I chose to bring this trivial, insignificant topic up because it means something to me. And because I really, truly feel that everybody must be allowed to enjoy their choice of rhythm and rhyme. So, if Britney Spears’ music stirs your soul, then so be it!


riya