Fall 2007
Bartholomew O. Donovan
American Music in Europe
"Hey there Delilah,
What's it like in New York City? I'm a thousand miles away, But girl,
tonight you look so pretty, Yes you do, Times Square can't shine as bright
as you, I swear it's true." Now who would have thought that the first
song to hit the ears of 35 American students walking through London
Heathrow airport would have been one that they have heard all summer while
preparing for their 4 month venture through Europe? How strangely fitting
it is as well, that the lyrics we hear are about being far from someone
near and dear, as we all are.
While getting myself
ready and packed for my time in London, something I was very excited for
was being immersed in all the popular music from all over Europe. I had
already heard of bands like The Streets and The Verve, but I couldn't wait
to find out about all the other bands that I could bring back to my
friends in the states. I expected to hear all this new music everywhere,
on the radio, in the stores and especially in all the pubs and clubs.
I was very surprised
to find that everywhere I went I was followed by the American music that I
had heard all summer, in the Tube, in the clubs and all over the radio.
There were massive signs all over advertising for the 50 cent and Kanye
West albums that were about to release. We would go to clubs like The Zoo
and TigerTiger and hear Soulja Boy, and The Three 6 Mafia. One night we
even saw a live cover band in O'Neils and all they played were songs by
American artists. We had two young businessmen come talk to us in class
one day; I asked them where I could find venues that would play mainly
European music. They said that all I would find was Euro Techno at some
of the clubs and in the East End I could find a few venues that would have
live British bands. I was highly disappointed to learn this.
Once I started
travelling more to non-English speaking countries I figured that I would
finally get out of the realm of American music, but I was very wrong. It
was even in countries such as Hungary and Germany. We went to a Karaoke
bar in Budapest, and all the customers were singing American songs. Same
in Munich. When in Madrid I was sure I would find predominantly Spanish
music - I mean we listen to Spanish music in the states, so I was
positive that it would be all over in Spain. Again I was wrong. There
were a few places that played native music, but predominantly at the bars
and clubs and other popular hang outs the main music was American.
Once I started
thinking about it, I realized that I shouldn't be so surprised by how
popular and widespread American music is in Europe; I mean it is the best
in the world obviously. What it is that still surprises me after all this
consideration is how avidly many Europeans, especially those in London,
try to be anything but American. In a bar or club if a good song is
playing, and one of us guys sees a cute girl standing across the bar, and
goes over to ask her to dance, the second she hears the American accent,
she immediately either says no, or thinks less of us. So if Americans are
thought of so poorly, then why do you love our music?
I have found some
great bands and artists here in London that I do "Fancy quite a bit" as
The Streets would put it. Bands such as the previously mentioned: The
Streets, or artists like Kate Nash. Both play a very London style of
music, a soft rhythmic section, behind a vocalist that is half singing
half talking, and telling a story, not just singing a song.
I guess all I can say is that when visiting Europe don't expect to be drowning in native pop music. You will find mainly American hits by those artists we all love, like Justin Timberlake, and Rihanna. But if you look hard enough, as I strongly suggest you do, you will be able to find great music by seemingly unknown artists playing their own style from their own home.
Brit Bands to Check Out:
The Libertines
Radionhead
The Coral
Blur
Mis-Teeq
The Streets
Kate Nash
Sugababes
Four Tet
The Strokes
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