From 1984, please enjoy -- if that is the word, which I don't think it really is -- World's Most Generic Rock Singer Bryan Adams and his hit (in which he waxes nostalgic for a year he was way too young in real life to have experienced in the manner the song suggests) "Summer of '69."
I think I've told this joke before, but a few years later, when I heard that Adams was writing the theme song for Kevin Costner's Robin Hood movie, I suggested that he might want to title it "Summer of 1269."
In any case, as always, a coveted PowerPop No-Prize will be awarded the first reader sufficiently courageous of ears to glean the clip's relevance to the theme of tomorrow's Weekend Listomania.
And given that this is really one of the most unfairly opaque clues I've ever posted, I probably need to add early on that the World's Most Generic Rock Singer tag is the salient thing here.
Songs by singers who inexplicably appear as fantasies in Russian art house anti-war movies?
ReplyDeleteOr, if that's too out there, something to do with singalongs?
Just when you thought Bryan Adams had garnered some respect in this world, Simels smacks him down again.
ReplyDeleteSo... world's most generic...guitar solo?
Here's an interesting musical faceoff between "Summer of '69" and the song that reportedly inspired it, "Night Moves." The author has far more love and respect for Adams than I imagine he'll get in these parts, but he makes his case with vigor.
http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/vs/summer-of-69-vs-night-moves.htm
Singers with bad complexions? (no really)
ReplyDeleteCanadian middle of the road singers who made it big in The US?
Songs about summer? Blah
Singers who play Live and take forever getting to the stage, running even.
ReplyDeleteSongs about places or events the singer(s) know(s) nothing about?
ReplyDeleteHit songs that almost anyone could have sung better?
ReplyDeleteMadonna's hits?
Oh, I am repeating myself again.
Trey
Songs about events/years that are not addressed at all in the lyrics?
ReplyDeletedave™© said...
ReplyDeleteSongs about places or events the singer(s) know(s) nothing about?
NTodd's a songwriter?
Just kidding.
Actually, that's a pretty good idea and I may steal it.
But no.....
:-)
Okay, let's see if I can give a bigger clue.
ReplyDeleteIt's about Adams as a singer. Specifically.
Raspy voice singers that the 80's and 90's were really good to.
ReplyDeleteSpinal Tap like runs through the backstage? That would be a movie cliche, but what the hell;>
ReplyDeleteSong that are bland impersonations of another singers sound. Say, Bruce Sprinsteen in this case.
ReplyDeleteI know this is not correct but "Songs about oral sex!"
ReplyDeleteby the way the word verification was "lingsti", what ever that suggests.
ROTP(lumber)
Okay, last clue.
ReplyDeleteBryan Adams = generic singer.
Influenced nobody.
Flip that....
Singers who can't think past the first three scale degrees?
ReplyDeleteArtists so unique that no one was influenced by them?
ReplyDeleteBryan Adams = generic singer.
ReplyDeleteInfluenced nobody.
Flip that....
OK - Unique singers that influenced everybody
Anonymous sort of gets it. Close enough, anyway.
ReplyDeleteYour coveted No-Prize is heading its way toward your....undisclosed location?...as we speak.
Kudos, whoever your are!!!
:-)
Whoever YOU are.
ReplyDeleteNot YOUR.
I regret the error...
:-)
I don't know, Eddie Money?
ReplyDeleteDavid -
ReplyDeletethought the 'Night Moves' vs. 'Summer of '69' faceoff was sort of interesting, thanks.
I can't ever see myself giving 'Summer of '69' any points, though. If you have to pick a Bryan Adams song, I suppose I'd take 'Cuts LIke a Knife' or even 'Run to You' over this one.
And, doesn't Bob Seger get the most recognition for doing the generic-rock-teen-nostalgia song first, and in such a (still) enjoyable way?
Hey John, I totally agree; I wouldn't give Adams even one victory over "Night Moves," which is a true classic that always sounds good, even after all these years. "Summer of '69" always sounded like processed cheese to me. Not even an initial grace period. And the two songs in his canon that I actually like are the ones you cite.
ReplyDelete