What's That Word?

Once upon a time, there was a word used to describe new stuff. I struggle to remember the word when it comes to today's music. Not all of it. But, the majority of it. Shoot! What was that word? I am not even sure if it is still in the dictionary. Oh wait! It's coming to me! Right there on the tip of my tongue.

Origin...origina...original...ORIGINALITY! That's it!

When I was growing up, 2 or more artists collaborating on the same song was a treat! It was exciting and new and we ate it up! These days, everyone collaborates with everyone else and, that takes the novelty of two favorite recording artists getting together and making music together!

And, back when I was younger, it was also sort of rare for my favorite artists to remake an old song. But, there are actually artists today that seem to have more re-makes or samplings on their albums than actual...here is that word again...original music.

Gwen Stefani is one such offender as far as both remakes and collaborations. Justin Timberlake can't seem to work as a solo artist ever. I can't really remember the last song he released that didn't have a "featuring" next to his name.

When I listen to the radio, I get excited to hear Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson because their music is original, not a remake. Maroon 5 did maybe one or 2 collaborations with someone else, if I remember correctly and I can't even remember which and it wasn't something they released from their album. Perhaps someone else's album. And, I think that Kelly Clarkson has been working with Reba McIntyre but, all of the music she has released has been hers. No collaborations and no remakes.

I applaud originality. I don't really need to hear songs that I have heard nearly all my life, newly synthesized and sped up or slowed down. Leave well enough alone and give me stuff that I have never heard before!

And, stop collaborating with everyone else. It is over done, played out and boring! What is so new about Justin Timberlake doing a collaboration with Beyonce? Or Timbaland? Or Timbaland and Nellie Fertado? Or 50 cent?

Stop! Don't Collaborate but still listen! Collaborations and remakes of old songs have more mold on them now than that bread I forgot to throw away from 2 weeks ago!