"The term "oldies" was popularized by Art Laboe, whose "Oldies but Goodies" albums in the 60's...."
There's been notably "dark" (on the evil side) music since about the mid 1960s. (which does not really include the teenage tragedy tunes of the 1950s and early 1960s). One, or some, of the earliest came from the west coast band The Sonics. The music took the deep dive into dark lyrics with Black Sabbath in the 1970s and some underground Punk Rock in the late 1970s. In 1980, Ozzy Osbourne's solo album "Blizzard Of Oz" had the song "Suicide Solution". Then there was the death/thrash/speed metal, that took off in the 1980s, such as early Metallica ("Fade To Black"-song) and Megadeth (Their first LP entitled "Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good" on the Independent Combat Records in 1985). Some groups, like Slayer, have what I consider to be evil lyrics released the album "Hell Awaits". Their imagery had/has included satanic things. From Wikipedia: "The song "Jihad" from (the LP) Christ Illusion sparked controversy among families of the September 11 attack victims, as it deals with the attack from the perspective of one of the religious terrorists ... "It kind of has an 'Angel Of Death' feel because it doesn't condemn anyone or say that anyone's right or wrong."
What "kids"drive cars? Unless you're calling a 17 year old a kid.
When you mention the "teenage tragedy tunes" from the 50s and early 60s, it's worth noting that there was another wave of such songs in the first half of the 70s -- "Rocky" by Austin Roberts and "Run Joey Run" by David Geddes being prime examples. But if you expand the age range of the people who were dying in the songs, I'd really put "Seasons in Sun" by Terry Jacks in that category, along with "Emma" by Hot Chocolate and "Billy Don't Be a Hero" by Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods. But it does seem that particular trend died out (sorry, couldn't resist!) after 1975.
Rod McKuen wrote the English lyrics for "Seasons In The Sun". However, there are a dizzying array of death/speed/thrash metal off-shoot genres. One that I cannot stand is Grindcore. It's a combination of ear-splitting power Metal with underground Industrial music, pulling Industrial Metal inspiration from the likes of "In The Land Of Rape and Honey"-era Ministry which has the recording of "Stigmata" being an underground hit example of their sound. If certain types of people get themselves totally immersed into some of these things, I can hear how it could have a negative impact.
That is a matter of taste. I have the same reaction hearing "big bands and crooners" and most 20th Century classical music.
It would be interesting to pick one or two of those and send them an email asking why they cover that era of music which is not likely to be favored by students but perhaps well liked in the community.
Yes. McKeun's 1960 recording and original lyrics were very dark, not the bouncy Jacks version. I understand the original French was even darker.
Yes, the Jacques Brel version was very sad as it was sung from a perspective of resentment and betrayal; he says goodby to his cheating wife and then to his friend who was his wife's lover. And it was more in the traditional crooner style of the 50's, not the Johnny Halliday and Claude François pop style.
Here's what I've done to better appreciate modern Metal music and understand what they are singing, minus the lyrics being printed with the release.
Metal does sound better turned down. I don't know about the lyrics.
In a couple of cases I know of, much of the "Oldies" programming on college radio stations is provided, free-of-charge, by former students and older members of the community who enjoy being on the radio, providing these services. However, I do know of one host, a more recently graduated student, who is in his 20s. As music from the 1950s, '60s and '70s are less prevalent on commercial stations, these programs can raise pretty good sums of money from loyal listeners during pledge drives. The Baby Boom generations are big ones. There are a lot of potential listeners out there.
