About a week ago One Direction and Who fans took to Twitter where they started a music war. This was on the coat tails of One Direction's latest song "Best Song Ever", which many have been claiming sounds just like The Who's "Baba O'Riley." When this news popped up about the song sounding like Baba, I had to have a listen. And sure enough, just like many things One Direction seem to do, it sounded just like it. Ever since the emergence of One Direction they've been doing nothing but ripping off other bands. They started off with The Ramones and The Beatles, stealing their logo out right. I remember seeing that mess right after it happened. I even contacted Arturo Vega, creator of the Ramones logo. Sadly, he died of cancer not long after.
But it didn't stop at logo stealing, they also took bits from songs much in the way that Vanilla Ice copied "Ice Ice Baby." That was uncomfortable enough, but their teenie bopper fans took to the retail stores to buy Ramones shirts. Not because they like the Ramones, but because they want to look like or please Harry Styles, One Direction's heart throb. A wave of disturbance shot through the classic rock and punk rock communities. But even that wasn't the end of the shit storm.
Finally on Twitter recently, Who and 1D fans went back and forth fighting who is better and who will be remembered. I admittedly did not read many of the comments, because my opinion on this is pretty clear. Not only did I not want to rile myself up, but I didn't want to waste time on arguing on the internet. Don't get me wrong, it IS annoying. But I know One Direction stands no chance against the Who in any form. So I'm not threatened at all.
Here's a funny thing that I don't tell many people: I used to be one of those teenage girls who liked a boy band. I really didn't like their music, I just thought they were a bunch of cute boys. In Jr High I was in love with Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys. In my honest opinion, my hormones were racing, and I was confused. I didn't know what good taste was yet. That may sound harsh, but in retrospect that's what it was. Then one day I grew up and found rock and roll, left boy bands in the dust.
Finally, Pete Townshend himself chimed in on this battle of the bands. I was happy to see that, but disappointed with his response. This is what he said:
But it didn't stop at logo stealing, they also took bits from songs much in the way that Vanilla Ice copied "Ice Ice Baby." That was uncomfortable enough, but their teenie bopper fans took to the retail stores to buy Ramones shirts. Not because they like the Ramones, but because they want to look like or please Harry Styles, One Direction's heart throb. A wave of disturbance shot through the classic rock and punk rock communities. But even that wasn't the end of the shit storm.Finally on Twitter recently, Who and 1D fans went back and forth fighting who is better and who will be remembered. I admittedly did not read many of the comments, because my opinion on this is pretty clear. Not only did I not want to rile myself up, but I didn't want to waste time on arguing on the internet. Don't get me wrong, it IS annoying. But I know One Direction stands no chance against the Who in any form. So I'm not threatened at all.
Here's a funny thing that I don't tell many people: I used to be one of those teenage girls who liked a boy band. I really didn't like their music, I just thought they were a bunch of cute boys. In Jr High I was in love with Nick Carter from the Backstreet Boys. In my honest opinion, my hormones were racing, and I was confused. I didn't know what good taste was yet. That may sound harsh, but in retrospect that's what it was. Then one day I grew up and found rock and roll, left boy bands in the dust.
Finally, Pete Townshend himself chimed in on this battle of the bands. I was happy to see that, but disappointed with his response. This is what he said:
“No! I like the single. I like One Direction. The chords I used and the chords they used are the same three chords we’ve all been using in basic pop music since Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran and Chuck Berry made it clear that fancy chords don’t mean great music – not always. I’m still writing songs that sound like Baba O’Riley – or I’m trying to!. It’s a part of my life and a part of pop’s lineage. One Direction are in my business, with a million fans, and I’m happy to think they may have been influenced a little bit by The Who. I’m just relieved they’re all not wearing boiler suits and Doc Martens, or Union Jack jackets. The funniest thing is that in Canada this year I met with Randy Bachman once the leader of GUESS WHO who told me that he not only copied Baba O Riley for their hit You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet, but he even called his band after us. Why would I not be happy about this kind of tribute?”
First, I'd like to point out that "You aint seen nothing yet" is by Bachman Turner Overdrive, not The Guess Who. The Guess Who did "American Woman" for reference. Also, I certainly know how all music is linked and in a sense carried on from another. But what One Direction has been doing has been blatant copying and stealing. It bothers me because it signifies lack of creativity, soul, and it makes me sad to such see rampant rip offs this day and age. I guess you could say I'm used to it, (again, Vanilla Ice) but I don't like it. Make your own logos, create your own songs! I don't think that is asking a lot. The most sad thing in the end, is that these teenage girls think these guys are pop innovators.
Little do these girls know, their fandom has a shelf life, and it's already almost done running it's course. Pop music comes and goes, rock and roll is immortal. In 20 years no one will know about One Direction, but everyone will still know about The Who. One Direction will never be Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, their music will plainly never be on the same level as The Who. This is why although I am irritated, I do not worry. And to all my fellow rock fans who got upset recently, I offer you a virtual hug and this message below...
Little do these girls know, their fandom has a shelf life, and it's already almost done running it's course. Pop music comes and goes, rock and roll is immortal. In 20 years no one will know about One Direction, but everyone will still know about The Who. One Direction will never be Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, their music will plainly never be on the same level as The Who. This is why although I am irritated, I do not worry. And to all my fellow rock fans who got upset recently, I offer you a virtual hug and this message below...
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