Freebird, Milli Vanilli and Mr. On'ry Hates Rush

Mr. Lonesome:

So, “Freebird” came on the radio last night when I was driving home from work. And my first reflex was to change the channel. Being such an iconic song, I felt as though I’ve probably heard it enough times. But then I thought “dude, I’m in this car by myself, and no one will ever know that it still gives me chills, and that I’m going to sing it at the top of my lungs with the windows rolled up.” Yes, my inner monologue loves long sentences.

There are a few other songs that hit me in that way, too. “Against the Wind” always gets me. I can’t ever change it. Same with anything by Billy Squire. What songs freeze you that you wouldn’t ordinarily admit to, whether it’s because it is cliché to love it, or because other people would ridicule you relentlessly?

Mr. On’ry:

First of all, unless you weren’t in the mood for something that long why wouldn’t you listen to Freebird or Stairway To Heaven?  Great songs by great bands.  Secondly, what the hell are you doing listening to commercial radio in your car?  What, was the tape deck on the fritz?

I’m pretty open with my guilty pleasure songs – “Linger” by The Cranberries for example.   Who cares what others would think.  Although I will tell you there are songs that I’m just sick of hearing in general – “Sweet Home Alabama” is the perfect example of why I don’t listen to commercial radio at all.  How the hell many times can you play that song in the course of one day!     

Mr. Lonesome:

Well, I was listening to my iPod.

I don’t mind long songs. I love Rush, for love’s sake. I guess I was leaning toward the songs that seem like the upper pantheon, for one reason or another, that I’ve heard people make fun of for liking: “Freebird,” “Stairway to Heaven,” “Hotel California.” As if it was cool to like them at some point, but now it’s a cliché to like them, so if you do listen it’s only to be ironic.

And you get a pass on “Linger.”

Mr. On’ry:

Well Freebird especially has become a whipping boy of songs because every drunk @$$hole and their mother yells for it at every single show I’ve ever been too (p.s. If either of you are ever that guy when we go to a show I will punch you in the mouth.  It’s not funny and it’s not original.  Be forewarned.)

Thanks for the pass on “Linger”…you however unfortunately do not get a pass on Rush because they suck.

Mr. Lonesome:

It’s a weird mob mentality. When something is that good, you must eventually dislike it. “Stairway” gets mocked in guitar shops, “Freebird” at concerts. I mean, if it’s good it’s good. Never understood why the human brain needs to curve away from that.

Though I do confess to selling my Milli Vanilli cd after the scandal. What I wouldn’t do for a little “Girl You Know It’s True” every now and then.

Also, Rush is awesome. But a band so polarized they need their own thread. We could literally spend hours arguing about them.

Mr. On’ry:

If I was standing next to you right now and you admitted out loud to even liking Milli Vanilli, let alone owning it, I would probably just walk away from you without saying a word and shun you for the rest of the day.  Just saying.  (And not because of the lip syncing thing but because they were awful.  Just awful.  I mean really, really awful.)

I’ll save Rush for another day.  Or until Mr. Mean shows up because I’m sure he’ll start telling me how godly Rush is and why I’m so foolish not to worship them. 

Mr. Lonesome:

In all fairness, I owned the CD the summer before 9^th grade. Um. I owned A LOT of bad pop music in those days (which I’ve successfully transferred to my iPod – score!). But I appreciate you veering from the thought of physical violence.

Mr. On’ry:

Dude the summer before 9^th grade for me was 1989.  I was already a few years into my love of all things metal.  So…if we had gone to school together I probably would have made fun of you. 

Mr. Mean:

First of all, Rush is awesome. Mr. On’ry is really Mr. Stupid for thinking otherwise. I know people who are pro-Canada and anti-Rush. I always demand that they turn in their Canuck Diner’s Club cards because they don’t deserve them anymore. Synth-era Rush (1980-1987) is my favorite. “Subdivisions” gives me chills every single time I hear it.

Commercial radio…hear hear to the Billy Squier. I love the guy. Huge drum sound, balls out rocknroll. I am sick to death of songs like “Freebird” and “Sweet Home Alabama” for the reasons discussed here: they are played way too much. Why the hell isn’t “Simple Man” or “Saturday Night Special” played more often?  Boston’s “Smokin’” came on the radio this morning and I immediately thought about how sick I am that every FM station overplays that debut album something fierce. “Stairway” is great, and I still listen to it, but dudes, I cannot take much more of Led Zep IV. Play effing “Communication Breakdown” for pete’s sake!

Mr. On’ry:

There’s my boy!  Totally agree on your Skynyrd point.  Hell I’d rather hear “Gimme Three Steps” or “That Smell” over Sweet Home Alabama at this point. 

Ha!  This guy loves horrible, synth-laden, crappy Euro dance music and even he still thinks Milli Vanilli sucks. 

I’ll say it again.  Rush sucks.  If you’re talking Canadian rock bands I’d take The Guess Who over Rush, that’s how much I hate them.   

Mr. Mean:

At least you didn’t say BTO over Rush. I’d knife you.

I don’t mind Messrs Fab and Rob for nostalgia purposes, but if I am thinking ’88 or ’89, it’s more akin to Happy Mondays and New Order than freakin’ MV.

Mr. Lonesome:

“Subdivisions” is a top 5 song of all time. We can discuss that in a thread.

I’m the same with most of my 80s pop love, it’s so very nostalgic that I can’t seem to let go. ’85 – ’89 specifically strikes a loving chord.

Also, BTO is on my least favorite bands ever list. They are WAY up there. Not one thing redeeming except for their connection to the Guess Who. And I’ll take Gordon Lightfoot over them both. Dude had swagger. Also, Triumph. Rik Emmet was an amazing guitarist. But they are all children compared to Rush.

Mr. Mean:

Triumph kicked some major butt. “Spellbound” is such a scorcher dude!

Mr. Lonesome:

“Lay It On the Line” is better than anything from the Guess Who.

Mr. On’ry:

Well I’ll take Triumph over Rush but only because that should prove to you how much I hate Rush.   

Mr. Lonesome:

Weird, cos Rush only says nice things about you.