Why do people refer to certain musical enjoyment as "guilty pleasures"?

[Left Is Write]

I'm not being facetious. I'm entirely serious.

If someone derives genuine entertainment, pleasure, enjoyment out of music - even if others consider that particular song/artist/genre/whatever to be unworthy - then how can it be a "guilty pleasure"?

I like all kinds of music. Some of it is obviously artistically superior to the rest, and some is pretty trite. But I don't feel guilty for enjoying any of it, nor embarrassed, nor ashamed.

Beauty, as they say, is in the eye - or ear - of the beholder.

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. Because the music snobs will try and make us feel that way.

I am an unapologetic Bobby Goldsboro fan who cries every time I hear "Honey" :hi:

[qnr]

2. It's like food, some yummy stuff makes you fat. Some yummy music

also makes you fat, because you just have lay back, relax, and savor it. Your muscles atrophy if you do this too often.

Er, what was the question again?

[electron_blue]

3. I say that about artists I normally don't like and then secretly covet

one of their songs.

Like the occasional Madonna and Rick Astley!

All in all, I agree with you - if I like a piece of music, then it's a gift from the gods!

[Maestro]

4. I had a girlfriend in the 80's and she and I would listen

to Rick Astley ad nauseam! Thanks for that blast from the past. I have two of his albums, btw.

[amitten]

5. Both your avatar and sig pic remind me of Rick Astley.

Odd, but true.

[Maestro]

6. That is odd

but I have heard stranger...like * is the best prez eva!

[amitten]

7. Come on, just stare at that dancing Grover while you sing the

song "Never Gonna Give You Up" in your head!

[Maestro]

21. OMG!

You're right! :rofl:

[Benfea]

8. I tell myself I don't care what others think...

…but the truth is, we're all social mammals and to some extent, we all do.

[Redstone]

9. I don't give a rat's ass what anyone thinks. For example, I listened to

"Lover's Concerto" by the Toys in my car today. With the window down. Didn't care who heard it.

I still like that song because of its innocence. Plus, I actually had a day like that about thirty years ago:

---------------------------------------------------------
How gentle is the rain that falls softly on the meadow
Birds high up in the trees serenade the clouds with their melodies

Oh, see there beyond the hill, the bright colours of the rainbow.
Some magic from above made this day for us just to fall in love

Now I belong to you from this day until forever,
Just love me tenderly and I'll give to you every part of me.

Oh, don't ever make me cry through long lonely nights without love.
Be always true to me, keep this day in your heart eternally.

Some day we shall return to this place upon the meadow.
We'll walk out in the rain, see the birds above singing once again.

Oh, you'll hold me in your arms, and say once again you love me,
And if your love is true, everything will be just this wonderful.

You'll hold me in your arms, and say once again you love me,
And if your love is true, everything will be just this wonderful.
------------------------------------------------------------------

Everyone should get to feel like that, if just once.

Redstone

[Left Is Write]

10. That's beautiful.

:)

[Oeditpus Rex]

12. Is *that* what the first line says?

Jeebus. All these years I thought it was "I'll chase away the rain."

:crazy:

[abex]

11. it's better than innocent pain

[Indy_Dem_Defender]

13. I think of guilty pleasures in music

when someone who is a totally into one genre of music and they happen to like a certain artist in another genre of music.

like this
Heavy Metal fan - listens to some Marvin Gaye
Classical fan - listens to some Spice Girls
Hip-Hop fan - listens to some Garth Brooks

[Beware the Beast Man]

14. It may be something "unhip" or out of character for the listener.

That's how I see it.

[vino]

15. As ever

the Guardian helps out :D
http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/fridayreview/story/0,12102,1276556,00.html
There are 2 albums now called Guilty Pleasures

[DanCa]

16. Well music is subjective.

I for one can't stand this pop stuff, and I have stopped watching American Idol but I wont insult anyone for watching it.

[stpalm]

17. It's a music hipster thing

For example, saying "Bon Jovi are my guilty pleasure" accomplishes two things:

-makes people think that Bon Jovi is the only bad band that you listen to (they do suck pretty hard)
-makes people think that you don't care about what anyone thinks, because you loudly proclaim your love for Bon Jovi.

This gets them big points in the "horn-rimmed glasses tight pants meterosexual sweater/ironic t-shirt music snob" crowd.

[BlueJazz]

18. As a Musician, I feel that it just means >>>>

"Look...I'm well aware that this Group/Band/Person is not the epitome
of musical taste and talent but for some Dark or Wonderful reason (?),
I enjoy listening to them and I'm making this statement so you can keep your
Musical criticisms regarding my Taste... to yourself" :)

[aclog]

19. I dunno maybe the same reason

masturbation is a guilty pleasure...the shame in getting caught in the act?

The problem is you can't close the bathroom door and discreetly blast out some Bon Jovi, now can you ;)?

[billyskank]

20. That's why god invented personal stereos

:thumbsup:

[Left Is Write]

23. But that's part of my question - why feel shame?

There's nothing shameful about it.

To use MrsGrumpy's example - she likes Bobby Goldsboro's "Honey", probably one of the most villified songs in pop music history. Just because I don't like it is no reason for her to feel guilty and ashamed for her enjoyment of it.

[samplegirl]

22. I agree

I really believe music is a personal preference. To me any music
that brings pleasure is an Art in itself.

I think music is an extention of many things in many forms.

I really like a lot of different music depending on my mood.
I have no problem stepping away from what others may think
is generation bias.

I like listening to new or obsecure music.