Friday Shuffle - Artists You'll Never See Shuffle Up Here Edition

I've often seen or heard in various places - blogs, online bulletin boards, water cooler conversation, parties - folks talk about what music they listen to. Inevitably someone will describe their taste in music as "eclectic". I'm sure I've even done it once or twice in my life. Honestly, have you ever heard of someone who didn't think their taste in music is eclectic? I mean who really would describe their taste in music as "undeveloped" or "pedestrian" or "one-dimensional" or even just "boring"? Music freaks and ordinary listeners alike love to talk about how they listen to everything from country to classical to rock to R&B to punk to showtunes. "I listen to everything from Mozart to The Monkees!". People love to claim they listen to everything that's out there with one common exception. "I have an eclectic taste in music. I listen to everything. Except rap."

It's ordinary to claim an eclectic taste in music. What's not as common is claiming to have an eclectic taste in music one won't listen to but I'm here to prove it's possible. Here's a list of musical artists you'll never, ever see shuffle up on any given Friday. It's not that I hate these artists - some of them have individual songs that I like at least somewhat but not enough to have on my iPod - but some are artists that I just can't abide. Not a definitive list - just who pops into my mind tonight.

And in no particular order:

1. Janis Joplin - Okay, I do dislike her. There's not a Janis Joplin song I won't switch off the radio immediately.
2. The Doors - Bleh. I don't get the attraction to Jim Morrison. I don't think he was a genius and think he was incredibly self absorbed. And that damn roller-rink-organ playing from Ray Manzarek drives me crazy.
3. Creedence Clearwater Revival - John Fogerty's voice makes my skin crawl.
4. Willie Nelson - As I said yesterday there are a couple Willie Nelson songs that I like but for the most part he gets a big no from me. That being said I love Seven Spanish Angels - the duet he does with Ray Charles - so maybe that would show up on a shuffle from me.
   
5. The Grateful Dead - Oh hell no. I never got the attraction to them.
6. Miles Davis - I don't want to say I hate all jazz but it's not a favorite musical genre of mine. Still I hate all his jazz.
7. Jimmy Buffett - Another that just doesn't do anything for me. Margaritaville is an okay song. Actually I could probably name only three or four Jimmy Buffett Songs. Oh! Come Monday. That's a good song.
8. Madonna - I like two Madonna songs. Else she bores me to tears.
9. Norah Jones - A musical coma.
10. Supertramp - Makes me have warm thoughts of a Janis Joplin/Doors marathon.
11. Nirvana - Don't like them, don't dislike them. Just...nothing. I probably just made Poppy scream.
12. James Brown - I know that may be disrespectful to say just after he's passed on but I have to admit it. I can't think of one song of his that I like even a little bit.
13. Pink Floyd - Okay, I can get through a few of their songs but for the most part, can't stand them.
    

Admit it. At least some, if not all, of you read the list and thought "How can she hate ______? I love _______!".

Time to shuffle. Here's ten that I definitely like. Or maybe not. B's put a few songs on Bixente the iPod that I don't like so it's always a gamble.

1. Wide Open Spaces - Dixie Chicks
2. How To Save A Life - The Fray
3. Nobody But Me - Pursuit of Happiness
4. Lonesome Day - Bruce Springsteen
5. You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth - Meat Loaf
6. I Believe In A Thing Called Love - The Darkness
7. Wake Up - Arcade Fire
8. Roll With It - Oasis
9. Astral Weeks - Van Morrison
10. Lay Lady Lay - Bob Dylan

Admit it. Some, if not all, of you looked at my shuffle and thought "How can she like ______? I hate ______!" It's simple. I have an eclectic taste in music.

Have a great weekend. Do something that will make others scratch their heads.