Happy Music Monday! Let's talk about the mysteries of the reputation. Scott's gettin' all philosophical today, isn't he?
Reputations are strange things. A bad reputation locks you out of one life, but opens a door into another. Same thing with a sterling reputation! And keep in mind that a reputation may not even be real. It's strange, isn't it? Almost like it's just a big ol' game that other people play on your behalf.
Four more reputable songs ahead. Come and join us!
The Everly Brothers - Wake Up Little Suzie
Here's a great example. Two kids fall asleep and get home late. Instantly they both know everyone will assume they've been having sex all night! And what's the proof? NOTHING! Two upstanding kids, caught in circumstance, forever as scarlet as the dirtiest gang leader in town. Heartbreaking, isn't it?
Billy Joel - Only The Good Die Young (You're Only Human)
Of course this song is about the complex nation of reputations as well, but Billy Joel is a great example of something who has seen his name change over the years. Ask anyone who found him in the 1970s and they'll love him. Ask anyone who found him after they found punk rock and they'll laugh and despise him. Ask anyone who discovered him on an oldies station and you might hear compliments. Ask anyone who learned about him from a comedian and you'll hear jeers. And yet, the guy still keeps selling out Madison Square Garden! So who's right and who's wrong?
And, of course, reputation sometimes is real... and also wrong! Because people can change, no matter what people say about them. Lily Allen's song about her dad shows her experience on how sometimes reputation can be transcended, and despite the hardship and pain, it can maybe all work out in the end.
Ultimately you have to decide how your reputation will shape you. Will it be based around fighting what people say about you? Or will you just be you and let your actions speak louder than what other people say? Every person must decide that for themselves. Even you, forums user.
Let us just remind you: some images come from the corresponding Wikipedia page and are here under fair use. See you next week.