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What is the test of time?

The followint quote is from an interesting post in another thread:
I don't think it will stand the test of time. Most music doesn't.
What exactly is the proverbial test of time though? Critics spout that phrase all the time. But what exactly qualifies something to have stood the test of time? Critics said that rap wouldn't last over twenty years ago. Critics said that pop wouldn't last over forty years ago. Critics said that r&b wouldn't last over fifty years ago. Critics said that swing wouldn’t last over seventy years ago...

Interesting subject. Since the dawn of recording technology and especially now, people everywhere are scrambling to archive recordings of the past into whatever is the latest, greatest medium and format. In light of this, just about everything ever recorded will survive time. But still the question remains, what is the "test" of time. If anyone on earth listens to something long forgotten, does that mean it has stood the test of time?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the topic. What is the “test of time” to you?
creeper

Showing 4 responses by creeper

creeper OP
251 posts
 
Robm321,
Good post. I guess what I'm getting at is that the "test of time" doesn't seem to apply to art in general, music included. It's an easy one to apply to architecture, theorems, beauty, etc, but art might indeed be timeless.

Perhaps I shouldn't have started this thread as it seems to be far more philosophical than I intended. More to the point might be that critics use the phrase far too readily. Nevertheless, someone else might have some cool insights as well. Please keep them coming.

Side note: Devo is touring and playing huge venues this summer. I know, I was surprised too. Cult classics.
creeper OP
251 posts
 
I'm glad to see this thread didn't turn out to be purely academic. Fun stuff ‘goners!

One thing to keep in mind about Devo is that it was originally assembled for performance art, putting a high priority on shock value. In the cult realm, I'd say they passed the test so far.

Did Captain and Tenille perform "Muskrat Love" in an episode of The Muppet Show? I have a long faded memory of something like that, wondering if it was real now. Yep, stuck in my head too.
creeper OP
251 posts
 
Robm321,
You should revisit "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". I think you'd be surprised by some of the orchestral arrangements. "When I'm Sixty-Four" has one of my all time favorite clarinet hooks.
creeper OP
251 posts
 
Kthomas,
Fantastic post, complete and non-esoteric.
More to discover