Poll: The Sesame Street Phenomenon
*March 10, 2008
I usually don't do these, and I'm still kind of fighting with myself about it, because, honestly, I don't think enough people read my blog to really conduct any sort of viable poll, and even then, it's not like it's a random sample. And there's a good chance no one will reply at all, because that tends to happen around here.
But my curiosity wins out this time.
Here's the deal: just in the last year or so, I've become extremely fond of '70s music: easy listening, singer/songwriters, contemporary '70s-influenced bands (Wilco and Josh Rouse, I'm looking at you): the cheesier, the mellower, the melancholier (yep, made it up), the better.
My little brother says it's just because I'm getting old.
But here's my theory: that this fondness is somehow tied to my quarter-life crisis in that I'm coming to prefer the music that was heavily featured on Sesame Street throughout the years I spent watching it, arguably some of my most formative years. Although this was the late eighties, most of the episodes carried then, and still carry, a markedly '70s vibe.
Sound far-fetched? I blogged last year about the role Sesame Street has played in my quarter-life crisis, and I think it's very possible that its influence is expanding. And past me, even. I think that this influence may be responsible for the overwhelming influx of '70s-inspired music as of late. Musicians my age are hitting the scene, and they're bringing with them the first kind of music they really remember hearing.
I'd like to try this on a bigger scale, say, the freakonomics blog, but I'm not sure how scientific or socially relevant any of this is. But what I can do is ask y'all
1. How you feel about '70s music
2. If you watched Sesame Street growing up and
3. How old you are.
Speaking of phenomena: "Quarter-life crisis" wasn't a tag on this blog until this entry. Huh.
1. Not too fond of 70's music unless it's Rush or Boston.
2. We didn't have PBS affiliate where I grew up so I watched Kaptain Kangaroo instead. I enjoy watching Sesame Street and Elmo's World now my daughter is around.
3. I'm 38
- Posted by Edge | March 10, 2008 3:19 PM
1. Dislike 70s music
2. No, my brothers were too old and would rather watch teenage ninja mutant turtles
3. I'm 25
- Posted by Chad | March 10, 2008 3:25 PM
1. That Feist song that everyone (including me) loveloveloved after it was on the iTunes commercial? Reminded me of Sesame Street. Then when I saw the video, well I might as well have just been wathching Bert and Ernie.
2. I watched alot of Sesame Street. And Mr Rogers. And Saturday Night Live.
3. I'm 21.
- Posted by Sadie | March 10, 2008 4:35 PM
You remember "U Really Got a Hold on Me?" Lionel Richie being firmly grasped by a muppety letter U? I hate, hate, hate that. Even as a child, I was pretty sure it was dirty.
On an unrelated note: thanks. Sweet of you to say.
- Posted by Lee Ella | March 10, 2008 5:52 PM
1. Dislikes 70s music
2. Grew up on Sesame Street (and Nickelodeon)
3. I'm 33 and 3/4 (1974)
- Posted by Michelle Reeves | March 10, 2008 6:05 PM
LOVE '70s music, particularly The Carpenters and Simon and Garfunkel. Only watched Seasame Street occassionally -- we didn't have TV until I was older. I was born in 1982 -- 25 years old.
- Posted by Ann | March 10, 2008 6:09 PM
1. Like some 70's music (and some 70's inspired music)
2. Never watched Sesame Street (I liked Power Rangers)
3. I'm 23
- Posted by Katie | March 10, 2008 6:14 PM
1. i have a love-hate relationship with 70s music. i love old school billy joel and elton john, doobie brothers and some other southern rock. i can really appreciate nick drake and i think i might have really liked the era if i was there as more than a fetus or a toddler. but sometimes? it's like nails on a chalkboard.
2. i felt much the same way about sesame street. yes, i watched it. but some characters scared the heck out of me and others bored me. i don't have any real memories of watching it, but i have pictures that prove otherwise. i think i was more of a muppets girl. or my mom was...so that's what we chose.
3. i'm 30.
- Posted by carrie | March 10, 2008 6:26 PM
1.) I was going to say that I didn't like 70's music, but after reading some of the bands mentioned, I'll have to amend that statement. I love simon and g-funk and other folksy 70's music, as opposed to funky disco music, which Does Not Want. Love me some Boston, but isn't that the early 80's? So, in a sentence, I love very selective 70's groups.
2.) I watched a small to moderate amount of SS. Not daily.
3.) born in 1984.
- Posted by sarahthe | March 10, 2008 6:27 PM
1. I like a lot of 70's music, like Elton John, the Eagles, early Billy Joel, etc.
2. I watched a lot of Sesame Street.
3. I'm 26.
I guess I support your theory!
- Posted by Kathleen | March 10, 2008 8:17 PM
1. LOVE 70s music and late 60s. I attribute it to two things: always missing my dad and my strong desire to start a revolution.
2. I liked Sesame Street okay, but I was much more into Captain Kangaroo.
3. 24!
- Posted by Nicole | March 10, 2008 11:24 PM
ha, very true bro. i too grew up on teenage ninja mutant turtles. the only show that i watched every day was Little House On The Praire so I guess that kinda means I have very bad taste in music, lol. But ya'...I am not too fond of the 70's music but i do like the 90's vibe.
-23 yrs old
- Posted by Emily (sister of chad) | March 11, 2008 7:08 AM
I like 70's music, but then again, I was alive during the whole decade.
I've watched Sesame Street but it wasn't the defining show of my childhood. Happy Days was my favorite.
40.
- Posted by JH | March 11, 2008 10:03 AM
Like 70's Music
Sesame Street Fan (still am)
31
- Posted by Ted T | March 11, 2008 10:56 AM
Another reason may be because I listened to it so you're probably pulling in some childhood memories. Music has a way of doing that. You remember where you were when you hear a certain song and old feelings/emotions surface. 60's and 70's are my favorite time for music and I still listen to it. Maybe you're just developing a taste for good music! By the way, your little bro likes some of it too and raids my cd's so don't let him accuse you of getting old. Love you! Mama
- Posted by Mama | March 11, 2008 11:37 AM
1. Love it.
2. TV was my babysitter, so yes.
3. 25.
Your theory FASCINATES ME!! Keep running with it! Looks like your poll is a hit!
- Posted by Esther | March 11, 2008 12:04 PM
1. I can give or take 70s music.
2. I watched Sesame Street quite a bit.
3. I am 22.
- Posted by Jennifer | March 11, 2008 12:23 PM
1. Like most 70s music, but LOVE late 70s/early 80s, which is what I remember being on Sesame Street during my day.
2. Liked Sesame Street, and I think I was a regular watcher. But LOVED The Price is Right, my daily post-kindergarten ritual along with a baloney and cheese sandwich. Maybe that's why my body is shaped the way it is. What was my mom thinking?
3. Alive for roughly 3 months of the 70s; born in late 1979.
- Posted by Courtney | March 12, 2008 9:06 AM
1. I like 70's music
2. I watched Sesame Street (Spanish version) when I was a kid. An interesting detail I would like to throw in is that in Spanish, Big Bird is called 'Abelardo' and he was green in the Spanish version. Interesting huh?
3.I'm turning 25 on March 25th. YAY, golden birthday!
- Posted by Isabel | March 12, 2008 11:02 AM
To Chad through Spring,
So, Chad, are you ready to retrieve your huge stuffed Ninja Turtle from storage now?
- Posted by Susan (Mom of Chad) | March 12, 2008 4:40 PM
1. Love all that is 70's music esp. disco
2. Grover was my hero
3. I'll be 23 in two days. Happy Birthday to me!
- Posted by Molly | March 13, 2008 12:37 AM