Growing up, (like, in the single digit years) there were two singers I listened to more than any other: John Denver and Barry Manilow. I'm sure this has a lot to do with my singer/songwriter/pop music sensibilities as they are now. What never occurred to me until I was older and learned more about the shaping of my childhood is that John Denver was a giant hippie and Barry Manilow is a giant homo.
Regardless of their political or sexual agendas, those were/are damn good musicians. There's still an immense amount of comfort and satisfaction in listening to "Grandma's Feather Bed" or "Even Now." "Weekend In New England" still owns the saddest piano intro of all time.
Once at a Q&A, a fan asked Rob Thomas (of Matchbox Twenty) who the "guilty pleasure" was on his iPod. He said, (and I'm paraphrasing) "No one. I think if you like something you should own it and be proud of it." That's essentially how I've always felt about, well, everything. From comics to Backstreet Boys, if you dig it, own it.
So here's to you John Denver and Barry Manilow. My glass will always be raised to thee.
-Gint
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