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Billy Joel Saw It Coming

Posted on 11/26/201003/20/2011 by Backpacking Dad

You used to be able to get by in the world without being good-looking. Hell, you could be a plain musician but still be a superstar.

That hasn’t really been the case for most of my lifetime. But just before my generation the world was true in dark greys and pockmarks.

Now we want to know what the auto-tuned pop star thinks about the world because he’s such a great talent, evidenced by all the people willing to pay for the effortlessly mediocre.

“Don’t you care about the new fashion, honey?
All you need are looks and a whole lotta money.”

I don’t know if Billy Joel was talking about what was coming and warning us, but Billy could never have broken out in the music industry today. What you need now: looks and an investor who can afford makeup, wardrobe, image-consultants, and software. You don’t need any talent for anything beyond getting attention.

I don’t know how to raise kids in a world that rewards attractive misbehaviour over talents and effort. So here’s hoping that some unforseen revolution saves us from the idiocracy looming.

I think someone may have to break the Internet for it to happen, though. Would that be worth it?

7 thoughts on “Billy Joel Saw It Coming”

  1. Pingback: Tweets that mention Billy Joel Saw It Coming — Backpacking Dad -- Topsy.com
  2. Anonymous says:
    11/26/2010 at 7:48 PM

    I agree with you. It would be worth it.

    But I have to let you know that the only reason I'm agreeing with you is because you have really nice hair.

    1. Backpacking Dad says:
      11/26/2010 at 7:50 PM

      I do have really nice hair. It wins arguments for me all the time.

  3. Anonymous says:
    11/27/2010 at 2:48 AM

    I agree with you. It would be worth it.

    But I have to let you know that the only reason I’m agreeing with you is because you have really nice hair.

  4. Casey Freeland says:
    11/26/2010 at 9:25 PM

    You could have written that exact same (almost) post in 1985 and it would have been just as valid. There were so many three-chord pretty boys and empty headed sweetie-pies on the music scene when I was in high school that listing any of them is redundant.

    Focus on the non-maintream music scene, the indie music that is everywhere thanks to the internet, and I'm sure you'll find all kinds of ugly, talented musicians.

    Good luck!

    Casey

  5. ChopperPapa says:
    11/28/2010 at 7:35 PM

    Lady Gaga, Justin (I'm coming out soon) Bieber, and The Jonas Brothers are immediate examples of the complete douchiness of the music industry. I swear I haven't listened to a Top-40 radio station in 5 years.

    All it takes to be a star now is to do something unbelievably stupid, post it on YouTube, and wait for the phone to ring.

  6. ChopperPapa says:
    11/29/2010 at 2:35 AM

    Lady Gaga, Justin (I’m coming out soon) Bieber, and The Jonas Brothers are immediate examples of the complete douchiness of the music industry. I swear I haven’t listened to a Top-40 radio station in 5 years.

    All it takes to be a star now is to do something unbelievably stupid, post it on YouTube, and wait for the phone to ring.

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