So, I happened to chance upon a mention of #CrossTheLine on nh7s site. A very dear friend didnt wish to bring it to my notice, even though hed seen it way back in time, lest it upset me. So, I found that this one Mr. Arjun S Ravi had wasted absolutely no time in delivering a single sentence judgement about the song. Heres what he wrote: CrossTheLine... it’s the kind of sappy love song you write when you’re learning how to play the guitar, and then are embarrassed by a couple of years later when you’ve listened to The Beatles a bit more and a world of artistic influences that aren’t James Blunt and The Script open up before you. Now, therell be some of you wholl agree with him. Therell be a whole lot of you wholl snigger and say dude, this girl needs to get a life! If I were him, Id probably write an even more scathing review!, and I know exactly who you all are! And, then therell be those wholl say dont give a shit. Haters will be haters! Just move on. And, that is exactly what Im going to do, move on. But, not before Ive dealt with this Ravi gentleman. Dear sir, Firstly, must tell you that your writing skills are extremely impressive. To write a single sentence review is no mean feat! It requires command over the language (which you certainly seem to possess) and a particular disrespect for artistes. But, Ill come to that in a bit. There are a few things I wish to clarify first. To insinuate that the artiste in question is a novice, learning to play the guitar and writing what you call a sappy love song is very, VERY wrong. What do even know about me? Being a debutante may not necessarily mean Im unprepared/untrained. I cant play the guitar. Or, any instrument for that matter. The best I can do is to pull the strings of the tanpura during my daily riyaaz. Oh, do you know Ive trained in Hindustani Classical music for 9 years? No, you dont. Because you saw a happy girl, singing a happy song, in a happy video that wasnt hipster/artsy/moody/kitschy/pretentious enough for your liking, and decided that she must be some stupid little rich girl who idolises Demi Lovato, or some such, has terrible taste in music, and just wants to be popstar (God, I hate that word!). And, about the song being sappy. Sappy, usually, refers to something mawkish. And, I dont think #CrossTheLine is mawkish at all. Ill give you an example of sappy. Claptons Wonderful Tonight. Rod Stewarts Have I Told You Lately That I Love You. There are more. Oh oh, Ill Make Love To You by Boyz II Men. And, guess what? All of these are favourites! Im sorry if you think all love songs are sappy and nauseating. Too many heartbreaks, eh? Secondly, youve implied that I havent heard enough music. Tell me who has? You have? No chance in hell! Theres so much music in this world that a single lifetime isnt enough to hear it all. And, for somebody like you whos put himself on a pedestal, and looks down on a whole lot of artistes, Im sure theres a lot that you havent heard! Oh wait, but youve obviously heard The Script! Would you believe it, I had no idea who they are. Had to google them. Thanks, man! And, yes, I love James Blunt! Almost as much as I love Ella Fitzgerald, Muddy Waters, Gary Moore, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Leonard Cohen, Deep Purple, Cream, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Fleetwood Mac, and Dire Straits. And, I love Enrique, Maroon 5, Green Day, Christina Perri too. Go on then, judge as much as you like! All these artistes you love to diss, artistes you think arent cool enough, are WAY more gifted than a whole bunch of you critics put together. James Blunt has brought about more smiles, spread more cheer than you will in multiple lifetimes. Critique all you like, but give artistes the respect they deserve. Just because you have the power of the pen/internet and know a few fancy words, does not mean you indulge in persiflage whenever you feel like. 10 million people know who James Blunt is. Ill be surprised if even a 1000 know you, sir. Drop the air of tacit arrogance. Isnt cool at all. Now about my song. I did not write it or compose it. Had you paid some attention and done your homework before jumping to your irresponsible judgement, youd perhaps have noticed it. Anyway. The song is targeted at teenagers, girls primarily. You appear to be neither. So, Im honestly not surprised that you dont like it. But, as a critic you ought to keep such factors in mind. Artistes arent your minions. They arent here to please critics. If you were true to your chosen profession, youd have asked couple of 14 year-olds if they like the song or not. #CrossTheLine has been airing everyday on Vh1 India for close to 3 weeks now. My mailbox is flooded with messages from teenagers across the country. Im sure we did something right. You, probably, were one of those few 15 year-olds with very evolved taste in music, and perhaps were listening to The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel while still in school. Most of us werent/arent as precocious. Thankfully. Else, wed all have turned out to be like you *shudder* Theres nothing extraordinary about #CrossTheLine, I admit. And, I wouldnt have needed to go into this spiel had you not made a personal attack. You suggested that I lack knowledge of music. You suggested Im a novice. Screw you! Write all the drivel you want to, cause frankly, my dear, I dont give a damn! When it comes to pipes, I can put you, along with a whole lot of your favourite indie artistes, to shame! Wish you great success, and some love. Youre in urgent need of the latter! Best, M
Posted on: Wed, 03 Sep 2014 15:56:19 +0000
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