I Love Rock 'N Roll

I'd love to say that I'm hear to discuss The Runaways movie, but as previously mentioned, the southeast was gypped on the limited release. Now I must wait a few more weeks until being able to view it for myself and it's KILLING ME!! Seriously, the movie is getting AMAZING reviews. Absolutely amazing. But alas, I must wait. So to hold me over, I've purchased the soundtrack. And I am in love.

I didn't grow up in the 70s. Hell, I can't even merit saying I grew up in the 80s! Being four years old when the decade ended can not be considered growing up in the 80s. It just can't. But 80s music, I know 80s music. A lot. The 70s music scene, that's a whole other story. And the music I was exposed to as a child, it wasn't The Runaways. Or David Bowie and Suzi Quatro. It sure as hell wasn't the Sex Pistols! So what was I listening to? Well, at the age of four I could sing all of Alabama's "Song of the South" and by the age of five it was Garth Brooks' "The Thunder Rolls" that I was singing to my little heart's content. Does that tell you anything?

True story. When I was about five or six, my sister, cousins and I all spent the night with my aunts, Kelly and Kathy. At some point in the night we decided to put on a musical talent show. We all got dressed up with random things we could find around the house and chose a song. I of course chose to go with my favorite, "The Thunder Rolls." I sat patiently and watched everyone else perform. Politely clapping when they were finished but knowing I would blow them out of the water. Then I was up. I wiped the nerves off my face and gave the cue to start the music. And I danced around the room singing as loudly as I could with Garth as my backup. And my prop? My prop was a broom. You know...to give the effect of dust rolling across the desert during a thunderstorm. My little 5-6-year-old self thought it was brilliant! The song ended with the dramatic throwing of the broom on the floor. It was an epic performance. Maybe even Grammy worthy. I bowed to all the cheers and clapping from the audience and took my seat. Then it was time for the judges, my aunts, to vote. And. I. Lost. Can you believe that?? How rude!

I don't actually know how old I am here, but you get the idea. That face, that red hair, dancing around and singing to Garth Brooks. I should've won, right?

There was also a time as a small child when I would attempt to beatbox. I don't know where I learned it because we all know Garth and Alabama, they weren't beatboxing in their music. But best believe I was good! And my parents, they thought it was the cutest thing ever. We'd go to family gatherings and they'd say, "Hey Jamie...show everyone your beatboxing!" Of course at that age I wasn't afraid of anything. No problem! Let me get my walkman ready and I'll beatbox as long as you want. But now? Now I'd run to my room and hide.

What I'm trying to say is, my musical palette, it didn't get the best start. But I've learned over the years. You have to try new things. Step outside of the box. Deviate from what you were brought up with because if you don't, you'll miss some really awesome stuff in the world. In this case, you'll miss some really awesome music. My philosophy, give everything a chance. Everything. Listen to every genre of music. How do you know you don't like it until you give it a chance? I hate when people ask, "What kind of music do you listen to?" Umm...seriously? I know people say, "I listen to everything" all the time, but for reals, I listen to a little bit of EVERYTHING! That is not a question that can't be answered. It just isn't.

This soundtrack has introduced to me lots of new stuff. The Runaways, I've known a few of their songs for a while now. And Joan Jett...who doesn't know who Joan Jett is? The baddest badass of rock n' roll! But my new favorite from the soundtrack is Suzi Quatro. LOVE. HER. SO. MUCH. And David Bowie's "Rebel Rebel," it's a new ringtone for my phone. And the thing I love the most about the soundtrack is the fact that Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning did their own vocals for it. If that's not dedication to a movie role, I don't know what is. Because Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, they have very, very specific sounds. And as far as I can tell from the soundtrack, these two nailed it.

The soundtrack, it really is awesome. I can't wait to hear all of these songs in context with the movie. I can't wait to see KStew and DFann perform them in the movie. I can't wait for people to fall in love with The Runaways because their music, it was seriously important to the world of rock 'n roll; especially when you look at it from a female's point of view. And everything Joan Jett, and The Runaways, did at such a young age to be accepted as females in the totally male dominated world of rock 'n roll, it should be seen. She deserves some major credit.

And at the end of the day, I really just can't wait for this movie. The soundtrack, it'll have to keep me occupied for the next few weeks.