Feature ¦ Calvin Harris - Philosophical Genius

I once recall reading something Calvin Harris had been quoted as saying that followed the lines of saying that chart music was far too depressing and needed more acts such as, you've guessed it, Calvin Harris.  This was in direct reference to the recession, and how he felt Britain, and indeed the world, needed to ‘dance its way out of recession’.

This was around 3 or 4 years ago now and I remember at the thinking he was full of it.  I for one was delighted to have so many ‘bands’ in the Top 40.  Bands such as Arctic Monkeys, Razorlight, Editors, Bloc Party and Kasabian where all riding on the wave of success and had been regular offenders in the Top 40.  To me this was a breath of fresh air, a new, fresh and slightly rebellious wave had taken over.
  The Indie scene was in full swing and from this came some serious artists (Not to forget most of the dross that was also coming out ie. The Ordinary Boys).

Pop had taken a nose-dive.  Reality TV and the USA in general were culpable for this.  This fact was never more apparent (and likely never will be) than when Paris Hilton reached Number 5 in the UK Top 40 on the 6^th August 2006 with the abysmal, yet aptly named “Stars are Blind”.  For these reasons it was especially pleasing to see genuine artists being well received commercially by the general public.

I have always been influenced by ‘dance’ music.  In fact I love dance music.  I did not however conceive that everyone would love dance music.  Its just not the way things work.  Dance music has always been seen as the music industries ill fated, drug drenched and down right naughty little brother.  True, dance music has always featured heavily in pop music, whether people noticed or not, but never to the extent it does now.  I have a proposition for you, turn on your radio to Radio 1.  Now, if by some miracle you manage to turn on during the fleeting glimpses where the latest in a long line of award winningly annoying presenters has shut his or her mouth long enough to play an actual track, I guarantee it will resemble something that a mere couple of years ago you would only expect to hear in a club.

Music has always been the way for ‘the kids’ to express themselves and always gives a real time look at how a nations youth are feeling.  So that poses the question, Are the kids on drugs? Or was Calvin Harris right all along and the fact of the matter was that maybe post recession music was simply too depressing?  Who knew Calvin Harris had such a philosophical approach to his music? Certainly not me.