Nicki Minaj’s performance was beyond elaborate and expensive to put on. Yet it was tweeted as “people were outraged” by it. Adele – with just a black dress and a microphone resulted in six Grammys and everyone is enamored with her. Why is that?
I don’t think it’s a judgement of each artist’s style. I think it’s due to the current climate in our country. America is hurting right now. The economy and government are a mess. Job loss is the plight of many. People are seriously ill. Families lost loved ones. Significant others have left each other. Parents and children are estranged. There is a lot of loss. Pain is running rampant in a lot of lives. America needs a bandaid. Music empathizes and heals. Music understands. America, in general, seems to be seeking music that will stop the bleeding. Songs about sex, drugs, alcohol and, obviously, exorcism, delivered with extravagance and gimmick just don’t seem to be giving people what helps in these rough times. A black dress, a microphone, a big voice, and songs that were written from the heart are making America fall in love. Songs that say “I feel your pain”, and “I walked in your shoes”, and sung simply, with passion, seem to be what we crave in these uncertain days.
I, myself, gravitate there lately, too. 21 was an album I played often during my difficult times last year. It’s an album that understands real, heart wrenching, loss. I remember crying while walking on the beach as “Set Fire To The Rain” coursed through my soul. “Take It All” just knew my heart inside and out. “One and Only” was sung with such deep passion that resonated inside me I would find myself playing it at least two or three times. The album, to me, is a masterpiece that certainly deserved Album of the Year.
Adele was also impressive in her 60 minutes interview. I love how she said she doesn’t have to look like a skinny pop star and wear skimpy clothes to sell her records. Adele is a wonderful example for our young girls. She sends the message that it’s what you do in life, what your passion is and how you use it to help others, rather than having to look a certain way, to succeed. She said even if she were thin, she would still dress elegant. It’s about her songs. It’s about her voice. It’s about the passion with which she puts the two together that draws people in.
It was refreshing to see simplicity rule in in today’s music. So many times I go to a concert all excited to be taken away by someone’s voice and nine times out of ten I’m disappointed because the band, costumes, and stage antics completely drown out the performer’s voice and the passion is lost on me. Dave Grohl’s point was well-taken. It’s not about the stage production. You learn to play your guitar, you write your songs, and get out there and do your job. It’s about what’s in the heart and in the mind that counts. Though I am a huge fan of Lady Gaga, the only times I really enjoy her are when it’s just her, her piano, her music written from the heart and sung with passion, coupled with her fierce piano playing. Maybe, in music today, less really is more.
And so, as another day goes by, just a mic, a black dress, a big voice, and songs from the heart, sung with passion, certainly pack a wallop – who knew? And…I have written.
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