Guilty Pleasures (Emphasis on the Pleasure!)

I wrote this post twice.

The first time, I talked about some of the music I have in my collection that I am sort of ashamed that I own. (You know what I mean; I know you all have Wham! and Terrence Trent d'Arby in your iTunes. Unchecked so they don't come up in rotation, maybe, but there nonetheless...) But I thought about it some more, and I decided that I wasn't really doing the theme justice, that I was being too narrow. Those tracks, while certainly fulfilling the 'guilty' part of the theme, did not embrace its 'pleasure' aspect.

In order to rectify that, Gentle Readers, I give you some music that I am absolutely, an-apologetically enamored with, no matter how many times I get pointed and laughed at for it.


Spinal Tap :: Big Bottoms


I don't know how one can not love this, or at the very least appreciate how magnificently perfect the parody of every rock band that plays to crowds of teenage boys is, but apparently there are those that do not. It's a mystery to me. If you have never seen this film, you must. And then watch the commentary; they do it in character, as if they are sitting around watching the final cut of the film, and it's like a whole second movie.


Pat Boone :: Crazy Train


That's right, Pat Boone. The same Pat Boone who started recording in the 50's and who made his career on covers of R&B hits intended for a mainstream (which at the time meant 'white') audience. The same man who was so devout that he refused a movie role alongside sex symbol Marilyn Monroe because he didn't want to compromise his standards. The man who, apparently, has developed a killer sense of humor.

Rowlf the Dog :: I Never Harmed an Onion


Some have said that a grown man should not, perhaps, have silly songs by muppets in his music collection. They would be wrong, and unable to appreciate the simple brilliance of Jim Henson.

M.C. Hawking :: Big Bizang


This, of all my music, has gotten the most comments along the lines of, 'What the fuck are you listening to?!?' My answer is always the same: hardcore science rap as if it were done by Stephen Hawking, bitches!

White and Nerdy :: Weird Al Yankovic


Weird Al is (and some of you will find this ridiculous) kind of a hero of mine. I mean, such comedy! Such wit! Such talent! I went to see him live, once, and while it's true that the only other adults there were parents with their pre-teen children, it is also true that it is one of the best live shows that I have ever seen, hands down. The man is a national treasure, I say, and anyone who disagrees can face me at dawn with pistols in hand!