So I was just attempting to sleep on that couch and listening to my iPod...I gave up and finally downloaded Lady Gaga's "The Fame Monster" because Honkus got me hooked on "Teeth" and while I was nearly asleep, I thought, 'Huh. This sounds familiar. The more and more that I listen to it, it reminds me of
something.'
And then it finally, FINALLY clicked.
Roisin Murphy.
Be forewarned -- this is not a long rant on Roisin vs. Gaga...there is a point. And after some explanation...I'll get there.
Now to most of you, Roisin Murphy's name won't mean anything. But to some (AKA me)...lover of Europop and avid watcher of "So You Think You Can Dance," it means quite a bit. You see, Roisin Murphy is an Irish electropop singer...and Wade Robson (Best. Choreographer. Ever.) seems to just love her...as shown by the number of dances he's choreographed to her music on "So You Think You Can Dance." ((Best Roisin/Wade dance mashup ever: "Ramalama Bang Bang"))
In fact, it was "Ramalama Bang Bang" that I was thinking of so intently while listening to "Teeth."
So I got online and decided, "I'm going to type both of their names into Google and see what I come up with."
And lo and behold...I'm not the first person to seek out this comparison.
Especially once you look at Murphy's style...a style she was rocking before Lady Gaga ever did.
So then I hit paydirt. Apparently Murphy thought the same thing...
and commented on it. But then retracted said harsh statement
stating she does love Gaga.
But seriously. It's uncanny once you start watching Roisin's videos, listening to both Gaga and Roisin's music and comparing their styles. Then remember that Roisin's been doing this stuff since 2004.
Case in point:
But my point is not about Lady Gaga's style, as I stated above. My point is this...
There is no "true originality" in music anymore. What Gaga borrows from Roisin, Roisin has somehow borrowed from someone else down the line (um...Madonna's ballsiness, anyone?? SHE was probably the only "original" female pop star. Everyone's been copying her ever since by pushing the boundaries the way that she did).
One thing that does bother me is that what crosses the pond commercially here and succeeds isn't necessarily the best that Europe has got to offer. For all the Roisin's, Little Boots, and Florence and the Machine's that Europe can hold close to them and keep locked up like tightly like the hidden family gems that they are, others come along and inevitably mold some similar vision of them into our own popular culture in the United States (without the American public ever even realizing it). And I'm not saying that we're only evolving from Europe and that America is a bunch of copycats. They've evolved thanks to us as well. It's a give and take sharing process.
It's evolution. And it can be very, very exciting for a music fan. After all, without Madonna, there never would have been a Britney. Without Britney...there wouldn't be the female pop star revolution that still continues today. These icons just shape the land for things to come...inspire others with their style and keep the evolution rolling.
So I will continue listening to "Teeth." And I will continue loving "Ramalama Bang Bang." But I will sleep better at night after finally connecting all these dots. Especially since I can't wait to see where pop music is headed next.
This past week I read "Shutter Island" by Dennis Lehane. As someone who reads -- avidly -- I hadn't read anything super original in awhile. Then this novel fell into my hands. What was meant to last me a week reading (at least) was finished in 2 days. Amazing, amazing book with a brilliant ending.