Things started to go downhill. Instead of singing about taking tea with Mary Jane and boppin' your dingus on ol' Sweet Slit Annie it was Help me God I don't know the meaning of life or I believe that love is gonna cure the world of psoriasis and cancer both and I'm gonna tell the people all about it 285 different ways whether you like it or not. And Why is there war well go ask the children they know everything we need to know, and Gee I sure like black folks even if my own folks don't and endless vinyl floods of drivel in similar veins. At that point I started to pack in and resort back to my good old ' 66 goof squat rock. I got out records like 96 Tears by Question Mark and the Mysterians, who were mysterious indeed, and re-whooped to jungle juju cackles like 'Wooly Bully,' which is indescribable and was recorded by a bunch of guys who drove around in a hearse wearing turbans.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Bangs criticizes the shift from fun, simple rock lyrics to pretentious, overly serious themes about life, war, and social issues, preferring the goofy, energetic rock of the mid-60s.
- In plain terms
- Rock music became too serious and preachy, so he prefers the old fun songs.
- What can you take from it?
- Keep music fun and lighthearted instead of forcing heavy messages onto it.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When does art become too preachy?
- Is simplicity undervalued?
Another view
Serious themes can also produce great art and reflect important cultural shifts.
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