We have all lived through that shriveling moment when a parent walks into a room and repeats, with sardonic disbelief, a couplet picked up from the stereo or the TV. 'What does that mean, then?' my mother asked me during Top of the Pops. "Get it on / Bang a gong"? How long did it take him to think of that, do you reckon?' And the correct answer - 'Two seconds, and it doesn't matter' - is always beyond you, so you just tell her to shut up, while inside you're hating Marc Bolan for making you like him even though he sings about getting it on and banging gongs.
In this excerpt from Nick Hornby's "Songbook," the author reflects on the awkward moments that arise when parents encounter popular music. He recounts a specific instance when his mother, with skepticism, questioned the meaning of a famous lyrics couplet. This highlights the generational divide in understanding and appreciating music, as parents often struggle to grasp the cultural significance behind the lyrics their children enjoy.
The speaker expresses a mix of affection and frustration towards the experience. While he enjoys the music of Marc Bolan, he feels conflicted as he navigates his mother's confusion and judgment. This internal struggle demonstrates the challenge of bridging the gap between youthful enthusiasm for new music and parental skepticism, ultimately revealing the complexities of musical appreciation across generations.
