It happened today for the first time. The whole family was packed into the Oddy on the way to Alison's basketball practice, and I started punching the stereo pre-sets looking for something interesting to listen to. I skipped past lots of commercials before finally settling on our local adult contemporary station, Star 98.7 -- isn't there a Star in every town?
Anyway, as is usually the case, Star let me down quickly. It only took a while before an unacceptable song popped up (I now know that it was Kelly Clarkson singing "Since U Been Gone"), and I reflexively clicked over to another station. And then it happened.
From deep in the back seat I heard a tiny voice calling to me over the music. It was Alison.
"Daddy, can you put that song back on?"
I looked dubiously into the rearview mirror and asked, "Did you like that song?"
"Yes, Daddy. Can you put it back on?"
Though I thought about citing the internationally agreed upon tenet that states that the driver ALWAYS gets to choose the station, I gave in instantly. It was the first of what will likely be twenty years of disputes over what music to play in the car, and I found myself conflicted. On the one hand, my daughter was expressing her musical preference, which was obviously a good thing, but on the other hand she had chosen Kelly Clarkson, which was, well, Kelly Clarkson.
I've always made a conscious effort to expose our kids to what I feel to be good quality music. The Wiggles, for instance, have never been played in our car. Instead they've gotten massive doses of people like the Shins and Jack Johnson whenever we're driving, in addition to steady helpings from the local jazz station and Indie 103.1, the coolest station in town.
But apparently it's done no good. Alison and I were supposed to be two peas in an iPod, but somewhere my plans went awry. Our dear Alison seems ready to dance down the path of least resistance, the one with trail markers bearing names like "Barry Manilow" and "Debbie Gibson" and "Britney Spears." Is it too late for her?
Perhaps not. Maybe there's still time for her to be the coolest kid in her class, the one who admits she still likes Green Day but recently is a bit more into Death Cab for Cutie. The one who knows that Latin rock means Maná, not Ricky Martin.
The one who lets her dad choose the station in the car.
Not likely. But would it really be such a bad thing? Aren't parents supposed to shake their heads ruefully at the music they here coming from behind their children's bedroom doors? And aren't children supposed to be embarrassed by the oldies playing on their parents' car radios? Maybe it'll be no different for us.
I guess I just didn't think it would be happening at age five.
So this is how it happens, eh? Right now, my oldest is only 2, so I still have total control over the stereo selections. I have, however, contemplated what her future selections might be: Avril Levigne or Marilyn Manson? Yo Yo Ma or Tanya Tucker? The field is wide open, though I suspect she'll most likely land on "Daddy Cant' Stand It."
Posted by: Dave | November 06, 2005 at 05:38 AM
I like reading your blog because I recognize all the local points of reference. My husband and I listen to KJazz and 103.1, and also Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW.
K likes country, dance music, and anything from the eighties. Lately I've been playing an endless loop of the Talking Heads for her. Hey, whatever keeps her quiet in the car.
Posted by: lesbonstemps | November 06, 2005 at 11:53 AM
If it is any consolation, my father would be nodding his head in agreement but giving you solace in the fact that eventually the daddy's girls come around to your way of thinking.
Don't get me wrong, you have SEVERAL years of bad music coming your way (just thank your lucky stars that it appears NKOTB will NOT be doing a reunion album), but one day she will come home from college and want to talk about this new band she is listening to that sounds a whole lot like Death Cab for Cuties.
Trust me on this...
Posted by: tpon | November 07, 2005 at 08:36 AM
My son is 32 months old and he already has musical preferences. Of course his choice in music is the only type of music I find hard to listen to...Jawaiian!!
Posted by: Fran | November 08, 2005 at 05:12 PM
The severe lack of decent radio stations in this country made me check out the indy 103. website and you are right, great staion! I'm listening to it right now (all hail the internet!).
I think as parents we have to listen to good music just to postpone the phase of "Turn that noise down!!". God, what will that be? Shudder.
Posted by: barbex | November 11, 2005 at 02:00 AM