NationStates Jolt Archive

Whatever happened to the swing revival? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_revival)

I really liked it. Cuz I was good at swing dancing. And I got lots of nookie then. And the music was better than a lot of crap.

But it died. What's left? Like, emo? Emo actually survived swing? Ugh!

I think it's a political thing. I think swing is correlated to the amount of authoritarianism in the government at the time. Hence, once Bubba was out of office, swing died. George Bush killed the swing movement. Maybe it'll start up again once Obama's president?

Lack of talent/originality + fickle fanbase = flash in the pan.

Whatever happened to the swing revival? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_revival)

I really liked it. Cuz I was good at swing dancing. And I got lots of nookie then. And the music was better than a lot of crap.

But it died. What's left? Like, emo? Emo actually survived swing? Ugh!

I think it's a political thing. I think swing is correlated to the amount of authoritarianism in the government at the time. Hence, once Bubba was out of office, swing died. George Bush killed the swing movement. Maybe it'll start up again once Obama's president?

Guilt by association. A lot of people were under the impression there was a swinging revival, and since Bush already was employing several of the less-than-noble aspects of Nixon, the fundies got their act in gear and started throwing acid on doorknobs of the swing clubs. Or something like that.

Lack of talent/originality

Pfft. The same could be said for basically any other genre of music.

+ fickle fanbase

Yeah, maybe. But I think my political correlation idea holds some merit.

All I have to say for now is "Meh."

Whatever happened to the swing revival? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_revival)

People called it a revival...but it really wasn't. A couple of bands had a couple of songs make it onto the charts, and all of a sudden, "swing" music is "back".

I'll stick with real Swing...your link even noted that the two are not very similar.

However, a direct musical connection between late-Jazz Age swing and jump blues under the label "Swing Revival" is somewhat tenuous.

Something different from the original cannot be said to be "reviving" anything.

Most people saw the fad for what it was...

Rock-and-Roll came along.

Yeah, maybe. But I think my political correlation idea holds some merit.

The Wiki page you linked to claims the revival lasted about a year.. I figure it was closer to 18 months, from late '97 to '99 if I had to nail it down. I don't think most music listeners are influenced by politics when they're at the record store, but even if that were the case, the swing revival was dead by the time the '00 elections were over by most accounts. I don't think national politics figure in. See also: the complete failure of "protest-music" to catch on among college students in the last four years.

Rock-and-Roll came along.

I'm not seeing it. Not in the mainstream anyway.

(unless you mean the original swing and not the swing revival referred to in the OP)

True, what happened? Personally, swing is one of the only types of dance I enjoy. Try it sometimes, you boys and girls out there. It's actually REALLY fun!

People called it a revival...but it really wasn't. A couple of bands had a couple of songs make it onto the charts, and all of a sudden, "swing" music is "back".


That's true. It was press-driven. But even so, swing-esque music became marketable within the mainstream for about a year and a half. Even if it wasn't a revival, the interest was manufactured by the right people and placed in a visible place for a short time.

http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/media/lrScience0502.gif

That's true. It was press-driven. But even so, swing-esque music became marketable within the mainstream for about a year and a half. Even if it wasn't a revival, the interest was manufactured by the right people and placed in a visible place for a short time.

Thank you for differentiating between new-crap swing and old-good swing.

Marketable...jingles to sell cars and get you to watch whatever sport is currently in the post-season.

Hardly a "revival", if you ask me.

People called it a revival...but it really wasn't. A couple of bands had a couple of songs make it onto the charts, and all of a sudden, "swing" music is "back".

I'll stick with real Swing...your link even noted that the two are not very similar.



Something different from the original cannot be said to be "reviving" anything.

That's really quite nonsensical. Of course it's different. Different eras, different musicians, different audiences. Seems like you're an elitist who automatically views the new as "crap" and the old as "good," which tells me you probably care less about the quality of music and more about the flavor of authenticity which can help your sense of snobbish elitism.

Well, the swing revival was as much about dancing as it was music, and that's just too bad. Now what is there to dance to, and how to dance to it? Crap, and like crap. Jiggle your booty.


Most people saw the fad for what it was...

All genres of music are a fad.

All genres of music are a fad.

Doesn't a fad have to be popular and have a short life expectancy? You couldn't apply both of those to all genres.

Whatever happened to the swing revival? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_revival)

I really liked it. Cuz I was good at swing dancing. And I got lots of nookie then. And the music was better than a lot of crap.

But it died. What's left? Like, emo? Emo actually survived swing? Ugh!

I think it's a political thing. I think swing is correlated to the amount of authoritarianism in the government at the time. Hence, once Bubba was out of office, swing died. George Bush killed the swing movement. Maybe it'll start up again once Obama's president?


This is quite possibly the most retarded post I've seen here. Tying Bush to the downturn in interest in swing? That beats the drive-by posters who hit us with nothing but gun smilies.

Please, regale us with further thoughts on how politicians influence pop culture.

Doesn't a fad have to be popular and have a short life expectancy? You couldn't apply both of those to all genres.

"Popular" is pretty subjective, so that one yes. Short life expectancy... well, in my mind, yes. I lose interest in just about 99% of the crap you probably listen to, fairly quickly. Hence your music is a fad.

:)

This is quite possibly the most retarded post I've seen here. Tying Bush to the downturn in interest in swing? That beats the drive-by posters who hit us with nothing but gun smilies.

Please, regale us with further thoughts on how politicians influence pop culture.

I think if Paris Hilton and her shaved pubic area were seen at a few swing parties, it would all come back. Just have her flip that dress up a few times.

"Popular" is pretty subjective, so that one yes. Short life expectancy... well, in my mind, yes. I lose interest in just about 99% of the crap you probably listen to, fairly quickly. Hence your music is a fad.

:)

Um...okay. That's a new one.

This is quite possibly the most retarded post I've seen here.

And you've been here over a year?

So I guess you just don't read a lot of threads or posts, eh?


Please, regale us with further thoughts on how politicians influence pop culture.

Ridiculous idea, innit? That the administration of the federal government, and the national mood or prevailing worldviews that elect it, could have any influence on anything other than politics? Hard to believe, but I have it on good authority that the government is not an isolated and closed system separated by clean rooms and decontamination chambers from the rest of the culture. Go figure!

Economics? Swing bands are expensive, which is part of what killed them in the first place--putting together a 25 piece orchestra and going on the road is way more expensive than four guys in a minivan, or even on a bus.

There was a swing revival and I didn't even notice it!

That's really quite nonsensical. Of course it's different. Different eras, different musicians, different audiences. Seems like you're an elitist who automatically views the new as "crap" and the old as "good," which tells me you probably care less about the quality of music and more about the flavor of authenticity which can help your sense of snobbish elitism.

I am hardly a musical elitist. Most older music doesn't float my boat.

I simply dislike genres that recieve exposure only because record label execs are sucking the blood from their flavor of the week while more original and capable artists continue to be neglected and ignored.

The swing revival would most certainly fall under this category.

http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/media/lrScience0502.gif

Okay...

:fluffle:

There was a swing revival and I didn't even notice it!You didn't miss anything.

I have to admit, the swing music from the 40's and 50's were pretty awesome. I also like the dress, everyone looked like those ol' Gangsters back then. Ahh back when things were classy.

You can still listen to whatever you want, it doesnt have to be popular. ( I have crazy ideas ) I take swing dance lessons now.

You can still listen to whatever you want, it doesnt have to be popular. ( I have crazy ideas ) I take swing dance lessons now.

Know any good bands that still play Swing and has CDs?

This is quite possibly the most retarded post I've seen here. Tying Bush to the downturn in interest in swing? That beats the drive-by posters who hit us with nothing but gun smilies.

Please, regale us with further thoughts on how politicians influence pop culture.
Clinton got nookie in office, come on. Didn't you know he was a corrupting influence, encouraging everybody else to go get nookie?

I do remember swing coming back for a few years. There was a lot of swing dancing with it, too.