Yesterday's tunes

By By Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
I just heard a new song on the radio by the popular music group – Hall and Oats.
Do you remember them?
Is it OK for me to call them popular isn't it?
They were popular during in the 1980's and 90's while I was in high school and college. I asked this question to our new sales associate here at the paper, Julie Penney, and she had no idea who I was talking about.
However, she turned around and asked me if I had heard of the latest music groups named Black-eyed peas, Limp Biskit, Green Day, Cake, Fuel, Pink, Tonic, Blink 182, Candle Box, No Doubt, and Sister Hazel. My mind drew a blank. I had no idea who she was talking about.
I thought to myself, was it a recipe for a musical blend of hard rock and easy listening, or was it a combination of noise and screaming. We both laughed.
To her defense, she did mention several classic rock names that I know and so we were able to have at least one moment of common discussion.
While listening to the new Hall and Oats tune on the radio, I was reminded of a popular song this group sung around 1982 – Maneater. It stayed at the top of the charts for a long time. They went on to sing several other popular songs, but they, like most other music groups, faded into the shadows of the newer, up and coming groups. They appeal to my age group now – early 30s.
To hear them singing again was fun. When I heard that the song coming up next on the radio was the newest single from Hall and Oats, I wondered what it would sound like. It was pretty good.
The voices were the same, but the latest in music technology was added to give it a fresh sound.
Then, I had to stop and listen to Limp Biskit. I couldn't resist. I had to know what this group sounded like and if there were any chance I'd like it. — Sorry, NO SALE on that particular group. After hearing two words I hate the most to hear used in this song, I said forget it.
Julie quickly turned the song off and switched it to another tune. — Again, NO SALE on that particular group. Julie was determined to play a song that I'd like, so she kept changing and changing until she found one I could tolerate.
Then, I let her listen to Maneater from Hall and Oats. She liked it. The other tunes on the 80s CD I had in my officer were too tame for her. She said her music has a little more "beat" to it.
Is that what it was?
It did sound like someone was being beaten.