Aside from proclaiming this or that band, album or song under- or overrated, one of the music geek's favorite pastimes is "spot the ripoff": you know, " 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' is really just 'Debaser,' which is 'More Than a Feeling', etc etc.
So I had conflicting feelings when Daughter #1 walked into the kitchen whilst I was listening to T. Rex's "Hot Love" and asked, "hey, is this The Beatles?"
"Ah, Grasshopper," I thought, "Though you're in the right country, and there might be a certain affinity for catchy melodies, the Beatles never had Marc Bolan's sexy swagger. I love that you're making the attempt, though." What I said was, "No, Sweetie, it's T. Rex."
"Oh," she said, "because the 'la la la' part sounds just like the 'do you need anybody' part on 'With a Little Help From My Friends.' " She calmly strolled out of the room, leaving me alone and slack-jawed, confirming that "Hot Love" is, in fact, ripped off from "With a Little Help From My Friends."
She beat me at my own game! How my breast swelled with pride! For what could be better than for her to be just like me? No, wait, I don't want her to be just like me--I want her to be out having fun instead of sequestered in her room listening to music! No, wait, she's not going to be allowed to go out and have fun, at least not between the ages of 13 and 20! Wait, what am I saying? Of course she is! Darn that rock and roll music and the challenges it poses to parents today!
