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The Skip's Musical Masterclass - Lesson 3

Posted 7th August 2008 at 12:04 AM by dave u

Boybands. It's a widely held assumption that they are all shite. Well that assumption is wrong. For the most part they are indeed shite, but there are some exceptions. Some glorious exceptions.

It's become fashionable to dismiss all boybands as being useless, manufactured music that only 12 year old girls can appreciate. It's not 'macho' to admit to liking any tunes from a 'boyband', so very few people have the balls to admit when they like a song that is performed by a so-called 'boyband'.

Only those of us comfortable enough in our masculinity can make a fair judgement of this kind of music. If it's shit, we'll say it's shit. If it's good, we'll not be afraid to let people know it.

It's a sad reflection on society that the modern day male is generally too afraid to embrace a good 'boyband' tune for fear of being mocked by his peers.

It's a good job attitudes weren't like this years ago, or the original boyband, the Beatles, wouldn't have had much of a career.

This is a very difficult homework I'm setting you this time. I want two song choices from you, one an example of a good boyband tune, the other an example of a bad one.

For example:

Good.

Bad.

Comments 30

Total Comments 30

Comments

	Surely one of the greatest songs ever?
	Posted 7th August 2008 at 12:36 AM by RedKnight

	Shit at boy bands, are we talking new or old? good, but may be out dated. or maybe nostalgic can i also say, east 17 stay another day is up there too.... Torture..
	Posted 7th August 2008 at 12:40 AM by melons

	Not sure I'd class a-ha as a boyband Melons? That's one of my top five all time favourite songs though. Good selection on the shit song too. B for you. Redknight, that is indeed an all time great, but you need to post an example of a crap song too before I can grade you.
	Posted 7th August 2008 at 12:43 AM by dave u

	Bunch of chumps.
	Posted 7th August 2008 at 12:55 AM by RedKnight

	That is indeed painful on the ears. B for you too. Good work.
	Posted 7th August 2008 at 12:57 AM by dave u

	The best boy band ever, the backstreet boys And a god awful monstrosity!
	Posted 7th August 2008 at 09:21 AM by Woo

Hmmm, that certainly is a steaming pile of hippo dung Alex. I'm not sure whether I should mark you down for even knowing about the existence of that clip. I'm thinking that maybe you secretly like that but are trying to get a good grade by pretending not to?

And your backstreet boys clip doesn't work. Which song was it? Most of their songs were crap, but there are a couple of belters, one of which has even made it into my itunes collection. Which one did you select?

Posted 7th August 2008 at 11:59 AM by dave u dave u is offline

I selected backstreets back Dave. The video is a blinder aswell as the song. I cant find one where the embedding is disabled so before you grade me, watch the video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8ae70g0TdA

And that other song, Ive been saving it for a moment like this, when its true cringeworthy badness needs to be aired. The band is called Friday Hill. Think its a spin off of the more less talented ones out of DA BLAZIN SKWAD!

Posted 7th August 2008 at 03:12 PM by Woo Woo is offline

	Not a bad choice, but Larger than Life would have scored you a higher grade. I have to say Alex, your in depth knowledge of the boyband genre is a little disturbing. And that's coming from me! B+ for you.
	Posted 7th August 2008 at 04:40 PM by dave u

	See, I knew this one would sort the wheat from the chaff. When it was hip-hop people couldn't wait to post their selections to show how 'street' they are. Now that it's boybands, a lot of them are too scared to ruin their images by posting anything. Paul, Monty, Thants, ATXRed, TK421 and the rest of you, I want to see you post an example of a good boyband song. Don't be shy now.
	Posted 7th August 2008 at 05:36 PM by dave u

	Here is my "Good" nomination. I like it because it's up beat and gives out a good positive message (you're down get your ass in gear and do something about it) when all too often boy bands churn out girlie, soppy ballads. I think Jermaine Pennant would like it too.
	Posted 7th August 2008 at 08:59 PM by TK421

	It's called Keep on Movin' by 5ive.
	Posted 7th August 2008 at 09:00 PM by TK421

	Very good TK421, that is another tune that is in my itunes collection. I'm impressed by the analysis too, and I'm sure Jermaine would like it. You need to post an example of a crap song, and then I'll grade you.
	Posted 8th August 2008 at 12:37 AM by dave u

	Good: Bad: I win.
	Posted 8th August 2008 at 05:13 AM by Ted

	Also, my post proves beyond any doubt that; despite a haircut and a couple of weeks at the gym, Justin Timberlake will always be a pube headed little fucking worm. And he's shit too.
	Posted 8th August 2008 at 05:14 AM by Ted

Weird, I wrote a post right after Dave put this up; must have previewed it then not posted it or something. The first thing that came into my head was Backstreet's Back, the one Woo went with, but then I thought I'd leave the contemporary stuff and show a bit of extra home study by choosing something older. So here it is, a belter I'm sure you'll agree:

The Four Tops - Producing tunes as good as any churned out by any boy band

As for the bad tune, we're spoilt for choice. I offer this up as my homework

How on earth did they think that shit nursery rhymes like this were going to help them beat the awesome bummability of Girls Aloud? Losers.

Posted 8th August 2008 at 08:04 AM by Stu Monty Stu Monty is offline

Here is my 'bad' nomination, Westlife's take on Uptown Girl. It's not bad in a down with the kids kind of way bad, which means good, it's just very poor quality. Being a cover version it highlights the band's inherent lack of creativity and if you can reach the end of the video without wanting to set all of them on fire you're a better man than me. I've posted the link because the emedded clip doesn't seem to work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd3imPZNNOM

Posted 8th August 2008 at 10:43 AM by TK421 TK421 is offline

Ted, it would appear you misunderstood. I asked for one good, and one bad. You've produced two pieces of crap when I only wanted one. D for you.

TK421, very good work, but you lose marks because I selected 5ive and Westlife, and you've done the same, only with different songs. It could be that you're a star student who shares similar tastes to me, or you may well have gone for the safe option knowing I'd approve. The critique of westlife was very good however, so B+ for you.

Monty, you've surprised me. I'm impressed with both selections, especially your choice of a crap song. That is indeed truly horrific. You probably deserve an A, but you let slip that your original choice was the same as Woo's, and like I told him if you're going with a Backstreet Boys song then you can't look past Larger than Life.

So I'm giving you a B+ too. Unless someone beats that grade, I'll either have to share the vbookie points around, or select one winner.

Posted 8th August 2008 at 11:32 AM by dave u dave u is offline

	Ah no, I didn't have time to go through all of the clips and the choice of bands is purely coincidental. I would've chosen something other than Westlife for bad if I'd have known, but I associate Westlife with bad and went straight for the kill. Lucky I chose different songs. It won't happen again. leaves apple on desk
	Posted 8th August 2008 at 02:07 PM by TK421 Updated 8th August 2008 at 02:22 PM by TK421

	hehe, what a brilliant read. I wish I could get away with this at work. Maybe later...
	Posted 8th August 2008 at 06:05 PM by JangoSolo

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