What shall become of our generation?
Honourable Thursdays
Brian A Robertson and Mike Rutherford were surely inspired when they penned one of the worlds’ all-time hit songs.
Released in 1988, the song was performed by Rutherford’s Mike and The Mechanics, with Paul Carrack on leading the vocals.
The track speaks of a son’s regret over his relationship with his late father as he realises that he had a much stronger bond with his father but feels he should have told him more when he was alive. The hit was aptly titled, The Living Years.
Brian and Mike all lost their fathers when they were writing the song,
To date 29 years on, the song is an all-time classic with a record 20 covers and multiple awards and in the process being collectors pick across generations- such is the lifespan of good music, a legacy indeed.
The song joins a long list of timeless classics that include Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time and True Colours , George Michaels -Careless Whispers,Roxettes – It Must have been love , Bob Marley’s –One Love, Lionel Ritchie’s- Stuck on You , 2 Pac’s- Dear Mama among many others.
The list is endless and cutting across a many genres, with music that has remained relevant years after they are released and speaking of great artistry and a certain workmanship that seems to have vacated music in the modern day age.
Most current artistes have not in any way justified the huge publicity that is associated with their music and careers, with many opting to speak more through their personas rather than their music.
What has happened to that fine music writer, who penned ballads that created memories in many a music fan heart?
What has a happened to that one fine artiste, who takes his time to produce works that inspires beyond just listening and go further to be a motivation and a role model to many.
Back in the day, my mother would do her chores singing along to Paul Mativire’s Handirambe, it is a song that would go on and stick to mind for the rest of my life.
I listen to it daily and it reminds me not only of my late mother but the sacrifices of mothers as detailed in the song, such as is the power of well written and constructed music.
Composer Gilbert Gilando says people have always found music significant in their lives, whether for enjoyment in listening, the emotional response, performing, or creating.
The role of music has remains an important part of life and it has been evident that music speaks to people in many ways in the way inspires a many in different forms, it therefore makes it important that whatever music is made, it must be of a certain significance to a listener.
Given, at some distant intervals good music is produced but it still does not last as compared to hits from days gone by.
There are no more lyricists in music these days, the pop culture seems to have taken away the importance of good lyrics in songs-itself diluted with senseless, pathetic, offensive and erotic content.
Yes, love songs were written before, but they had a philosophy of celebrating love rather than sexual exploits and respected the dignity of women. How does one compare Chris de Burgh’s Lady in Red and Neyo’s Story Time or even Zhakata’s Maruva Enyika to Boom Beto’s Madonhedza Musika?
True, Boom Betto and Neyo might rock the airwaves today but won’t make it into any hall of fame of any nature.
One wonders if at all they still learn poetry in schools. If yes then where are the ballads and sonnets?
Musicians today have become comfortable being known for controversies rather than the music they make, their names overtake their careers.
It is good to be famous, but it’s senseless to be famous and not have a legacy for legacies live way longer than fame. Legacies are built through the evidence of good works rather than famous names. Despite their waning fortunes, everyone still remembers Patrick Mukwamba and Mitchell Jambo.
Good artistry and the critical role model task have been eroded for instance Nox Guni at a time when he was one of the hottest RnB artistes in Zimbabwe; his music failed to match the nude pictures released with great abandon.
The role of the gatekeeper has long been forgotten /with just about any junk making it onto radio while in the Zimbabwean sense backyard studios have ensured that music is released at a faster pace than a fast food meal.
Moments like that of Alick Macheso breaking down on stage due to the intensity of his own lyrics on the track Baba off his lasts album Tsoka Dzerwendo are just as rare as snow on these shores.
Sungura of all genres locally stands out although production quality has become poor.
Of course there are good writers like Jah Prayzah and a handful of others but that’s all there is. Most good music will not even make it onto radio and we have fast spoiled audiences.
I hope just one day, the dream to have goof music especially coming from the younger generation of artistes does not die a dream; for only then can we guarantee the return of honour in our music. Otherwise Oliver Mtukudzi will be lonely with a few others.
