The Music World

On Thursday, December 3, 2015, the world bid farewell to Scott Weiland, a gifted yet troubled vocalist who had been in the music industry since at least 1986.  I, along with many others, was very saddened by his passing.  I have to admit that I had been watching his story for many years now.  I grew up a huge Stone Temple Pilots fan in the 90's, since I was about 13 or 14 years old.  I do not wish to speak ill of the deceased, but I had watched and read stories of his being very late for concerts, disappointing fans and his bandmates alike, which lead to his eventual ousting from Stone Temple Pilots.  He started his own band, which at least prevented him from being kicked out of another band.  The music from his new band was commendable, to be sure.  I'm just not sure that anything could have saved Scott from himself.  I'm not sure if he saw that he had a problem, with drugs, alcohol, the rock-star life.  And if one doesn't see a problem, the problem and its ailments cannot be corrected.

In any case, it is my hope that Scott Weiland will be remembered for his contributions to rock music, and to the music world itself.  I was dismayed in the 90's to hear comparisons between Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots.  I admired and enjoyed both bands, to be sure.  STP, which was previously known as Mighty Joe Young, had a more unique sound to me, more ethereal at times, and all at once more driving, as can be heard in such songs as "Wicked Garden" and "Where the River Goes," and nearly any other song found on their album Core.  Core is an album that, to this very day, I can listen to without interruption or skipping over any songs, and be as completely mystified by its chords, drumbeats, and Scott's sometimes roaring, sometimes lulling and gentle voice, as I was at my first listen roughly 20 years ago.

Music has been a large part of my life since I was a very small child.  I not only wanted to utilize this blog post as a tribute to Scott Weiland, but also to remember what various songs, regardless of genre, have meant to me over the years.  I have compiled a list of the top 5 songs for each category listed below, ranging from what evokes certain memories of a decade to the mood and emotion, as well.

Take Me Back to the 80's:

1. Van Halen ~ Jump
2. Madonna ~ Material Girl
3. Level 42 ~ Something About You
4. Cyndi Lauper ~ Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
5. Damn Yankees ~ High Enough

Take Me Back to the 90's:

1. Nirvana ~ Lithium
2. Stone Temple Pilots ~ Plush
3. En Vogue ~ Don't Let Go
4. Salt N Pepa ~ None of Your Business
5. The Offspring ~ Come Out and Play

Make Me Cry (Every. Time.):

1. Michael Jackson ~ Man in the Mirror
2. Phil Collins ~ Against All Odds
3. Dionne Warwick ~ That's What Friends Are For
4. Whitney Houston ~ I Will Always Love You
5. Pearl Jam ~ Last Kiss

Make My Day:

1. Sam Cooke ~ Cupid
2. Len ~ Steal My Sunshine
3. America ~ Ventura Highway
4. The Eagles ~ Already Gone
5. Madonna ~ Borderline

Most Memorable Music Videos:

1. Genesis ~ Land of Confusion
2. Gorillaz ~ Clint Eastwood
3. Eurythmics ~ Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
4. Bonnie Tyler ~ Total Eclipse of the Heart
5. Pearl Jam ~ Jeremy

Music should and does evoke a variety of emotions and memories within us.  It can also help us deal with our own happiness, sadness, inner turmoil, or it can even help us forget what troubles us.  I suppose it would be overly simplistic to think that music can also heal those who produce it.

Thank you for the music you provided us, and rest in peace, Scott Weiland.