I don't love the concept of the guilty pleasure. If you enjoy something, enjoy it, who cares what anyone thinks? Still, personally, I find myself enjoying many things outside of what the mainstream considers popular. As Leo Tolstoy says, "Happiness consists of living each day as it is the first day of your honeymoon and the last day of your vacation."
For me, music is my drug. It comforts me when i'm stressed, uplifts me when I need a boost and empathizes with me when i'm wallowing in sadness. Through it all, are my beloved guilty pleasures. Here is my top ten list of guilty pleasures.
10. Mandy Moore. Nope. I'm not talking about the gifted actress in the best show of all-time, THIS IS US. I'm talking about the prepubescent singing star of the late 90s and early 2000s that morphed into an incredible actress. Have you ever heard "Walk Me Home," or "I wanna Be With You?" If not, you haven't lived. And who can avoid singing along to "Candy." It's in your head now, isn't it?
9. Soft Rock. I can't get enough. It's soothing and mellow and it was created in the days before Gangsta rap, like when men expressed their love for women through song. Yeah, yeah, I know Ed Sheeran still does that. But, look in your parent's record cabinet and dig out some Ambrosia ("That's How Much I Feel") or a little "How Deep Is your Love" from the Bee Gees. Google it.
8. Speaking of Gangsta rap. Gangsta rap. I only say guilty pleasure for this because this #$-something Caucasian women looks pretty crazy rapping "I didn't even have to use my AK - today was a good day." But it's fun. "Rollin' down the street in my 6-4, jockin' the B******, slappin' a H**. . ." You get the point. Guilty. Pleasure.
7. A$AP Rocky "F**** Problems." This is similar to number 8. I look a little crazy singing along to this song, but I feel soooooo cool doing it. LOL.
6. Latin Music. In a previous blog, i've let it be known that i'm a huge fan of Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez. I don't speak Spanish, but I sure try when I crank up "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" or "No Me Queda Mas." And it's worse when i'm out in public, I make believe that I can salsa dance, too. Another great song is "No Me Ames" by Jennifer Lopez and her Ex-husband Marc Anthony. It's a duet and I really think i'm singing it authentically.
5. Jennifer Lopez. I have loved her since I saw her portray Selena in the bio pic. And then, she came out with that amazing "On The Six" album. I had to listen to "Waiting for Tonight" before I hit the clubs in the late 90s. I knew it would be a good night! And OMG! The remixes to "I'm Real" and "Ain't It Funny." Are you kidding me?! The best ever!!!
4. Mariah. I'm hard core. I've been there from the beginning. Actually, I was there before she was famous. She was discovered by singing back up for Freestyle artist Brenda K. Starr. I loved Brenda and when she started talking about this back up singer, Mariah, I listened. I haven't stopped. "Through the Rain," "I Wish You Well," "Melt Away," "Fantasy," "Underneath the Stars," "Whenever You Call," I can go on and on and on and on. I excuse every last one of her diva moments. Who cares? She's the queen! See the below video where she and John Legend cover a Barbara Streisand song? Lawd! (see number 9)
3. Power Ballads of the 80s. One of my favorite past times is controlling a drinking establishment's Touch Tunes and playing and singing along with loudly power ballads of the 80s. These songs could include "Look Away" from Chicago or "I Want To Know What Love Is" from Foreigner. How about a little "Never" from Heart!? That's a fun night out!
2. Dance/Pop from the late 80s. This includes Paula Abdul, New Kids On The Block, Janet Jackson, Karyn White and Debbie Gibson. It includes freestyle, too. It's happy and fluffy and takes you back to a more innocent time. Pure energy. I was in Debbie Gibson's fan club. And Janet's. Maybe Paula's, too.
1. Daryl Hall & John Oates. If you know me, you know how crazy obsessed I am. I've always known their music and enjoyed it. But one day, I realized that the only thing that could cheer me up on a super low day was the sound of Daryl Hall's voice. It speaks to your soul and uplifts. I've been known to travel the country to see them. Just got back from New York last week after a stop at Daryl's club. Can we say #Obsessed?
There you have it. What is your favorite guilty pleasure?