Tuesday, October 30, 2001

Musicians confess and defend their guilty pleasures
By Greg Kot
Chicago Tribune

Duke Ellington once said there were only two types of music: good and bad. But what happens when bad music enchants good musicians?

Music history is defined by the greatest albums, the most memorable concerts, the short list of perfectly crafted songs. But pop is the language of pleasure, and not all of those pleasures are profound, meaningful or even very good — at least by the Duke’s demanding standards.

Sometimes, it’s the dark secrets that provide the clearest insight into the soul of the artist. Or maybe not. In either case, we thought it would be fun to hear musicians try to defend the indefensible, to justify their love, as it were, for the lousy music that infects their subconscious like a particularly nasty and irrevocable computer virus.

What exactly is a guilty pleasure? Ernie Isley, longtime guitarist in the Isley Brothers, provided the most succinct definition: “Emotional chocolate.” Any grown-up knows that chocolate isn’t “good” for us. But many of us crave it anyway, and regularly indulge. Similarly, seasoned musicians often know which songs are bad for their musical health and development. But sometimes they turn ‘em up anyway when no one’s looking. Here are the guilty pleasures that tickle some prominent pop artists, with their explanations.

But first here are five of my own:

Madonna, “The Immaculate Collection” : Barely competent singing, but the tunes can’t be denied, even without the videos.

Ted Nugent, “Wang Dang Sweet Poontang” : Despicable misogyny, but the rawwwk doesn’t get much rawer.

The Buoys, “Timothy” : This ultra-catchy 1971 pop hit sounds totally innocuous, until it dawns on the listener that it’s about cannibalism.

Village People, “YMCA” : The most subversive silly song ever? A celebration of gay culture, complete with hand signals that even homophobes can’t resist.

Naughty by Nature, “O.P.P.” : Another indefensible lyric about booty, but it’s the best wave-em-like-you-just-don’t-care rap song ever.

And now, the guilt list:

Tori Amos
Her guilty pleasure: “The K&D Sessions” by Kruder and Dorfmeister (German ambient-techno mixers).

Why: “That’s yummy — it’s very sexy to me. It’s pleasure for pleasure’s sake. I’m not listening to get my musical chops and see what’s going on. I kick back and take a trip. It’s like ecstasy without the brain fry.”

Ronald Isley, Isley Brothers singer
His guilty pleasure: “Short People” by Randy Newman.

Why: “It’s a funny song that me and my brothers would sing in the car on the way from one job to the next. We just could not believe the nerve of a guy to write a song like that — he stepped way over the line. And we couldn’t stop laughing about it.”

Ernie Isley, Isley Brothers guitarist
His guilty pleasure: “Light My Fire” by Jose Feliciano.

Why: “When I was in study hall in high school, somebody asked me, ‘Who’s the best guitar player, Jimi Hendrix or Eric Clapton?’ And I said Jose Feliciano. And the reaction was like, ‘Whahhhh!’ But his version of ‘Light My Fire’ feels like the emotional equivalent of chocolate. I had to play guitar after hearing that.”

Stewart Copeland, former Police drummer
His guilty pleasure: “Walk Like an Egyptian” by the Bangles.

Why: “It’s a fun, goofy track. I love the groove, the humor, the complete who-cares attitude toward musicianship. It means nothing, (it’s) a throwaway piece of puff, a piece of candy, but every time it comes on the radio I like it.”

Bjork
Her guilty pleasure: “Snowflakes are Dancing” by Tomita (the song is a ‘70s synthesizer interpretations of Debussy).

Why: “It’s like the soundtrack to ‘Bambi’ and ‘Snow White’ and everyone jumping in the snow together. It’s terrible, yet gorgeous. It’s like having a private marshmallow feast. I recommend it if you’re in love and you want to be in that fluffy cloud and not go off it.”

Rufus Wainwright
His guilty pleasure: “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” by Marilyn Monroe.

Why: “I sing along in the mirror, and dress up. Marilyn Monroe is an amazing singer, but she had to sing these ridiculous songs — the irony of it all. Some of those no-holds-barred arrangements in the ‘50s were such schmaltz. But this is definitely better than the version Nicole Kidman (did for ‘Moulin Rouge’).”

Billy Corgan
His guilty pleasure: ‘N Sync, “Pop”

Why: “It’s sort of the antithesis of (the Smashing Pumpkins’) ‘Cherub Rock,’ which was saying, ‘(Expletive) you, I don’t want your indie-rock b.s. I want to do it my way.’ They’re saying the same thing: We want to be perfect, with great teeth, and we don’t mind people dressing us. We’re into it! We know we’re shallow. (Expletive) you!’ I thought it was pretty cool.”

Moby
His guilty pleasure: “Country Grammar” by best-selling rapper Nelly.

Why: “I completely understood why it would be so successful when I first heard it. My friends are embarrassed for me liking it because it’s just so commercial. It’s a great record, but one would be hard-pressed to make a case that he’s as serious as some of the underground artists my friends love.”

Steve Albini
His guilty pleasure: “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by the Proclaimers (the sole hit from Scottish duo).

Why: “I do my best to get everybody in the room singing along when that song comes on. I love that song, even though it’s obvious, done-to-death bar music. I like the sentiment, the wordplay. Their voices sound absurd with that bizarre Scottish accent. And the word ‘haver’ appears in it. How can you not like a song with the word ‘haver’ in it?”

Andre Benjamin of OutKast
His guilty pleasure: “U Can’t Touch This” by M.C. Hammer.

Why: “Everybody disses Hammer, but I used to love Hammer. I still love Hammer. He made some nice, catchy tunes.”

Nelly Furtado
Her guilty pleasure: “Vuelve” by Ricky Martin.

Why: “It’s his last Spanish-language CD. I can vouch for Spanish Ricky Martin. It’s got really great vocals. I’m a sucker for some good vocals, Spanish or any language. I also really like Selena. I have this soft spot for really sweet ballads. And I liked Jon Secada when I was younger.”

The Edge
His guilty pleasure: “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees.

Why: “I do think the Bee Gees have gotten a really bad rap, unjustifiably. Maybe the haircuts were too much for folks to handle. I like some of the songs people might consider the cheesiest, like ‘Stayin’ Alive.’ It’s got an amazing bass line. I would draw the line at ‘How Deep is Your Love,’ however. I don’t think I can go there.”

Thom Yorke, Radiohead singer
His guilty pleasure: “Zeit” by Tangerine Dream (an early ‘70s album from the German synthesizer band).

Why: “I have an embarrassing liking for some ambient stuff. There are some Julian Cope records under the pseudonym of Queen Elizabeth that I play a lot because I see shapes when I listen to them. I worship Julian Cope. And Tangerine Dream’s ‘Zeit,’ which has titles like ‘Origin of Supernatural Probabilities’ — it’s the only record that completely switches my brain off.”