Rockholm Syndrome

I learned that term last week. It's the phenomenon of starting to like an oldie that you already knew well, and were sick & tired of. Anyone experienced this lately? (I take no responsibility for any earworms you may develop as a result of reading/contributing to this thread.)

One song that encapsulates that for me is Elton John's "Rocket Man," which I've certainly heard since day one. Now, when I hear it, the chord sequences in the coda just break my heart. It is definitely my favorite Elton John song, and I really have never had one of those before, though I sort of enjoyed his pop hits from '71-'73. Indifferent to it from childhood to 40+ years, but hearing it now is a completely different experience. Not bad for an admitted Bowie/"Space Oddity" rip!



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Lola by The Kinks is one for me. I love The Kinks but that song was just worn out for me growing up to the point that I tuned it out for many, many years afterwards and would skip it on album every time (Kink Kronikles, etc.).

Years later I just found it a great, rowdy, subversively witty bar singalong tune that I wish I had given more listen to in the years that I was turning a deaf ear to it.

I have this with The Specials' "Ghost Town"--but it's a repeat occurrence. Since the 1980s, I have periodically gorged on it until I'm sick of it, put it aside for years and then, upon suddenly hearing it again, can't believe what an amazing song it is, and I experience it anew.

"Ghost Town" was always one of those singles I was "planning on buying" but never got around to. But it still blows me away 32 years later!



Former TP subscriber [81, 82, 83, 84]

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War by Edwin Starr

I've taken it for granted many years, but having listened to it recently, I appreciate it more. It's simple, powerful and passionate; the lyrics and music are perfect for each other. I've ignored The Boss's bombastic version.

I'm with you there on the blistering Edwin Starr version. I remember the original from my childhood, but it wasn't until I heard it again in the 90s that I really came to appreciate the cut for all of its righteous anger. Never heard the Bruce Springsteen version, but heard the FGTH version constantly throughout the 80s and beyond. Trevor Horn aside, it had nothing on Starr either.



Former TP subscriber [81, 82, 83, 84]

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How about records you HATED at the time but have heard so many times since that they've gained a comforting familiarity? I heard "Fly Robin Fly" (or maybe it was some other comparable record of the disco era) recently, after having avoided it for at least 25 years, and I found myself singing along.

It has taken me most of a lifetime to get over disco. Well, I haven't really gotten over it. It's more like a beach ball that I see on the walk to work and now rather than booting it, I let it lie. It's in a gutter, where the slight depression always collects a small puddle. Not even a brisk wind causes wobble. Damn wind.

Funny you should mention the "D" word. At the YWCA gym I attend, the music system is usually set to the heinous 80s CHR channel. This usually means 80s top 40 hits, approximately 30% of which may be acceptable; even enjoyable. Your Erasure..."Hungry Like The Wolf" and such. Aaaah, but the devil takes his toll. The other 70% seems to be an endless onslaught of Stevie Nicks, Journey, REO Speedwagon, and [shudder] the Great Satan Himself® - Kenny Loggins! Last Friday, this was not the case and the satellite channel had been switched to the Disco channel. I was treated to tunes such as the long version of Sister Sledge's "We Are Family" and lemme tell you, it was a darn sigh better than hearing Steve "The Weasel" Perry or Kenny "The Colon" Loggins wailing away! It was actually refreshing.

At the time of Disco's dominance of our culture, it became inescapable. Movies, TV shows, and even comic books had storylines that incorporated Disco, because it was that prevalent in our culture! Under the burden of utter ubiquity, Disco went from being a top 40 music style to a virus that infected and replicated our entire culture until anything that was not Disco was marginalized. And having crossed that line, by 1977, I started to react against it strongly. But in today's pop cultural context, it's simply a mild form of entertainment. Viewed with a cold, objective eye, it's nothing to react too strongly against. Unlike Journey, REO Speedwagon, Fleetwood Mac, and The Eagles.



Former TP subscriber [81, 82, 83, 84]

[postpunkmonk.com]
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even though i live in the subtropics, it still warms my heart to know that i'm not the only one that feels they should never have to choose between funk and disco.

keep it up yall, we will be online ten years in april...

Quote

It's the phenomenon of starting to like an oldie that you already knew well, and were sick & tired of. Anyone experienced this lately?

Yeah. "Stompin' at the Savoy."