I know the music I should like and the music I shouldn't. I know I should like Mahler, and Liszt, and The Cowboy Junkies, and Lou Reed. This stuff is intelligent, erudite. I should be drinking a Manhattan, and wearing a hat (not a cap) when I listen to it. I know this. But then why do I like REO Speedwagon, and Glee, and old gospel music? Not cool at all. Sure I like some stuff that's "hip" and "out there" like Tom Waits and Nick Drake. I talk about these with pride. And try to hide the soft spot I have for Michael Jackson.

What I don't understand is how I can like such different forms of music. Such different philosophies, skill sets, principles. I'm sure Freud would have something to say about my childhood experiences and resulting predilections, but it probably boils down to "who knows" like most everything else. I should really embrace my tastes as a reflection of the complex and interesting "me" but I'm sure I won't. I'll most likely still prominently display my Nirvana and Górecki cds and continue hiding my David Foster albums somewhere my cool friends will never look...maybe in the pockets of my parachute pants.