I've always liked boy bands. Throughout childhood it was the Backstreet Boys and N'Sync (BSB were always preferred, sorry Justin). But in middle school, the Jonas Brothers took over my world. That might sound dramatic, but it's true. I thought about them every day, bought every magazine they graced the cover of, watched every video of them on YouTube, sat through every TV performance, and plastered my walls with posters of them (265 to be exact, I counted once). I had Jonas Brothers jewelry, Jonas Brothers shirts, Jonas Brothers albums, Jonas Brothers DVDs. My life revolved around the three wholesome, humble brothers from New Jersey and I was lucky enough to see them live twice.
I spent a lot of time defending the Jonas Brothers, explaining to others that "they really are talented" (something I still stand by today). I never understood why I needed to prove this to anyone. Their music was catchy, they put on a great live show and they wrote all their music themselves. In a pop music world run by One Direction, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber, I'd really like to emphasize that last point. Take a look at the track listing for Bieber's latest album, Purpose, and you'll notice that each song has at least three writers on it. I have nothing against collaborative writing, but have always felt the Jonas Brothers didn't get the recognition they deserved for writing their own music. One of the most frustrating things I encountered as a Jonas Brothers fan was dealing with the sexism and fear of effeminacy I encountered along the way. These are concepts I didn't (and still don't) fully understand, but frustrated me nonetheless. Liking the Jonas Brothers was "girly" and if you were a male who enjoyed their music you were "gay" or a "pussy". This sexism and belief that women's tastes are not as valid as men's has been around for a long time. It wasn't until they changed their sound by veering away from pop that The Beatles became more "legitimate" and critically respected. Justin Bieber was girly and lame when he was a teenage singer/songwriter adored by millions of girls, but now that he is making songs that can be played at frat parties and clubs, it's cool to like him. This even happens in music scenes that claim to be more inclusive, like rock and punk. I can't tell you how many times I've been stereotyped because I like The Maine and All Time Low or how many times these bands are stereotyped because their fan base is predominantly female. Even when women are legitimately interested in a band or genre (i.e., Bring Me The Horizon/hardcore music), people assume that they only like the band because the lead singer is attractive or because they want to be a part of a scene they think is cool. God forbid a woman actually enjoy and connect with Oli Sykes' lyrics. The perceived non-legitimacy of boy bands continues today, with One Direction being the best example. Watching One Direction's latest video for their single "History" is what prompted me to write this post. The video recaps One Direction's career with highlights and clips, starting with their third place X Factor finish in 2010. Throughout the video you see shots of fans; at shows, outside of hotels, and chasing the band (on foot) while they drive away in their tinted window SUV. Watching these moments took me back to the time when I was a Jobro lover, waiting for nine hours outside their show, having a sing-a-long with other fans that were waiting, and crying (wait, no...sobbing) when they took the stage at Darien Lake on their Burnin' Up Tour in 2008. I am by no means a "Directioner", but I truly understand what it's like to be so dedicated to a band. You're not a freak. You're not crazy. You've just never loved something as much as you love that band and that music. That is why I feel for the girls who are in middle school and high school right now, trying to defend why they love One Direction when their tastes shouldn't be questioned at all. And let's clarify...simply asking, out of genuine curiosity, why someone likes a band or an artist is different than attacking their tastes and labeling them as illegitimate. There is so much negativity in the music industry. When I see bands like One Direction succeed just to watch their loyal, loving fans get made fun of for liking them, I can only wonder 'why?' Why do we put people down for expressing themselves through music? If you ever watch live videos of boy band performances you'll see dedication, love, connection, and emotion through the roof. I think it's pretty cool that music can bring people to tears and that seeing a favorite band can render people speechless. I have watched One Direction's career progress and have always thought, 'wow, it looks like they are having so much fun.' They are most certainly having more fun than the people who sit behind computers or walk through school halls making fun of them. And they are most definitely a better example for men than the "men" who put their friends down when they admit that they enjoyed the One Direction song that just came on the radio. If you are truly a fan of music, you would appreciate and understand the fact that, historically, boy bands have brought people together and left fans with unforgettable experiences to look back on years later. Being a Jonas Brothers fan was so much fun and made my group of friends even closer than we already were. I wouldn't trade that time of my life for anything. Next time you think of putting someone down for their taste in music or you see it happen, remember that there's a legitimate reason that person loves the music. That reason is more important than whether or not you think the music is good.
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