YEAH MAN, FUCK YOU, I LIKE ELTON JOHN

We all have bands we like that we hesitate to admit we like.

Either we like the songs for nostalgic value or for no logical reason whatsoever. How quickly I’ll admit I like one of these bands depends on who I’m around.

My friends always give me a hard time for liking Elton John. Not modern Elton John, I’m talking about his tunes from the 70s and 80s—“Tiny Dancer,” “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word,” “Your Song,” etc.

People are taken aback when I tell them because I look like I’m a son of anarchy.

Despite the unfair metalhead stereotype, there is a movement of smart progressive metalheads that aren’t angry, racist, sexist, or gay racist—gayist. I don’t think the term ‘homophobe’ accurately describes anti-gay stupidity. I’ve never seen a person have symptoms of excessive sweating, rapid breathing, nausea, or dizziness around a gay person.

People give me a seriously confused look if they catch me listening to Elton John, especially when I’m really into the song—singing it, jamming out, and with tears welling in my eyes.

Why do I like old Elton John? I’m not completely sure why. The piano, violin, and guitar are my favorite instruments to listen to, and Elton John is a piano pop music genius. Does there have to be a reason?
Even if the band is a one hit wonder—Elton John is not—we sure do look like a dumbass for liking a one hit wonder, but there can be many reasons why a person can like a song. It could be a personal experience; that song could remind them of someone awesome, or it could be attached to a sentimental memory like your first kiss, or it could be nostalgic like singing it in your room when you were seven.

For me I hesitate to say I like Elton John because it counters the image I’ve been working so hard to protect. I don’t look like a tough badass when I say I like Elton John that’s for sure, but I don’t really give a shit anymore. We shouldn’t hesitate to admit we like bands.

We all should just say who we like whenever we want; fuck whatever people think of you.