NOT a football post

I'm too depressed about the Lions game to talk football for a few days. Instead, here's something else.

With the MTV Video Music Awards airing last night, I am reminded of my youth, when Britney Spears, Michael Jackson and Madonna would do ridiculous stunts every year. When I glanced at the list of this year' winners, I was saddened to see that I'd never even heard of half the artists. Then I got to thinking ...

What did music used to be?

The Beatles. Bob Dylan. Elvis. The Rolling Stones. Chuck Berry. Johnny Cash. Jimi Hendrix. The Who. Stevie Wonder. Bruce Springsteen. U2. Tom Petty. The Eagles. Simon and Garfunkel. James Brown. Elton John. The Doors. Michael Jackson. Just to name a few off the top of my head. I'm probably forgetting dozens.

What is music now?

Lady Gaga. Justin Bieber. Katy Perry. Miley Cyrus. Taylor Swift. Kayne West. Rihanna. Lil Wayne.

What the hell happened?

Music used to be sung by ADULTS, first of all. Now it is sung by 22-year olds.

Music used to be written by the artists. Now it is written by the companies, not from some place deep in their soul, but simply in an effort to sell records. Lyrics used to mean something.

Musicians used to change the world with ideas. Now, … well, look at Justin Bieber. What is he going to accomplish? Honestly? The kid’s got 50 million views on YouTube – but he isn’t doing or saying anything of the slightest importance.

Musicians used to have normal names. First and last names. It was okay to simply be named James Brown. Now? They invent new names, such as Kid Cudi and Flo Rida and N.A.S. and Common and Chingy and Busta Rhymes and Q-tip, just to name a few.

Musicians used to write hundreds of songs over decades. You could see the maturation process in their music. You could hold literally 30 Rolling Stones albums in your hands and say "Wow, look how they've changed." Now, singers are lucky if they survive 2 years in the industry.

Music used to mean something. Now it’s as meaningless as every word that comes from Lady Gaga’s mouth.

I don’t even care. I don’t like music all that much. But it is a sad commentary on the direction that our culture is heading. Long live Bono!