Today’s Acts: Who will be remembered in 20 years?

Andrew Carolan

I often hear people complain that classic songs are only considered “classics” because they are old. Well, most classics will be a bit old, yes, but they have achieved their status because they have stood the test of time. In today’s music scene, this begs the question as to who will be remembered down the line- in say, 20 years? Who has written the songs that boast a timeless quality? Who has made the biggest impact on the Music Scene? Who will be worth remembering in 2033?

It is easy to call out the lack of sustenance in the singles’ charts- so I won’t even bother dithering through the likes of Shaggy’s collection to see whether acts like him have asserted a great legacy. Indeed, there are so many 1 hit wonders and acts that make an impact for a year or two (The Ting-Tings- “Shut Up And Let Me Go”), that we are really best left to the devices of the Album Charts. Here, we can see where people decided to fork out an actual ten euro or so. So before we examine the possible future, let’s see who has gone on from the early 90s in living memory:

Looking at the period 1990-1993, it becomes immediately evident that it wasn’t the most prosperous time for pop or rock music unless you divulged in gritty grunge. Certainly, Nirvana cannot be ignored; they are easily the most memorable and original act from that time. Radio stations will still boom “Smells Like Teen Spirits” and Dave Grohl will still talk about them when relentlessly asked about their legacy. Otherwise, the grunge scene was one which quickly dissipated, especially in the ensuing Britpop era where we already know Oasis and Blur have stood the test of time from. An argument can also be made for Pearl Jam but their stance is not as sturdy as it may have once been. Indeed, their fans are not in the numbers they once were.

Nirvana, the epitome of '90s grunge with a melodic twist for the fun of it.

A  great deal of the number 1 albums in this period were from veterans like Elton John or acts of the ‘80s like Michael Jackson but the artists of the time seem scarce in retrospect. R.E.M. pop up as one of the notables but even then, most people will not have even cared about their recent split. While they have big hits in “Everybody” and “Man on the Moon,” perhaps they will be confined to the radio surplus of Nova in the next few years.

Take That... yes, definitely still popular and probably the only boy band to have such sustenance.

Mariah Carey...eh, sort of.

It is difficult to look through the list and discern the new age acts of the time for so many were already established in the public minds’; Phil Collins, U2, etc. There are then a small handful of acts but in reality, time has not been overtly kind to the music of the early ‘90s. You can just ask Right Said Fred and Wet Wet Wet what they’re up to now...

Does anyone else remember that creepy video of "All I Want for Christmas" featuring a now desperate Mariah and Justin.

And Today’s Acts...

We have seen that the early 90s was for the most part a waste of time so let’s see where our generation is heading.

Lady Gaga- I think she will be remembered even if her next album is a flop just because she was so wacky and had a few good hits. Easily the most distinctive act of our times anyways.

The Wanted- Just a basic boyband in the ever growing bank, probably not to be cherished but then again, Five are doing alright...

Rihanna- She has had many hits which I think will be replayed but she does release music like a fast-food outlet and we hardly want to see her in her 40s. The young Rihanna though may well live on...

Adele- If only for the one album, yes. Its chart impact simply can’t be ignored.

Every X Factor Act- One Direction will probably be remembered fondly by ageing women as Harry Style shoots off into his all-swag, no substance solo career but in reality, they are just another test in the boy band formula. As for the other acts, they will all soon be forgotten; hell, most of you probably don’t even remember who won in 2010.

The Script- No.

Will.i.am- Hopefully not.

Psy- Psy recently said the success of “Gentleman” has proven he is not a one-hit wonder. While it is pretty much “Gangam Style,” we’ll let him have his day as a 2-hit wonder. But don’t expect him to be busting those moves in 2033, be it on the stage or on TV.

Arctic Monkeys- Their first album may have been their most popular but this band’s constant evolution will prove testimony to their endurance, in my opinion. Theirs will be an interesting discography to go through.

Maroon 5- This lazy, camp-tinged band may have lasted since 2004 but I doubt the people have it in them to purchase tickets for a Maroon 5 reunion tour.

Justin Bieber- Our Sports’ Editor, Keith, has pictured this fraught pop star as the Donnie Osmond of his era. Ultimately, I would agree but I wouldn’t expect a serious transition to the Ivor Novella awards any time soon.

Tulisa- No, I doubt it.

Nicki Minaj- Not for her music.

Nicki Minaj and douchebag favourite, Justin Bieber, on the set of "Beauty and a Beat" minus the Beauty.

Anyways, that is all that is worth mentioning before rambling on to another level entirely. Basically, I have focused on the Album Chart toppers’ of recent times while moving a bit back to the mid- 2000s for a couple of the other acts for variation. As it is, I see some of the acts today lasting in memory though far from the level they are held with esteem at, in the present. Having said that, time boosts fondness for others and we have seen acts like the Queens of the Stone Age and the Foo Fighters on the rise in recent years in this sense. It is a perplexing question to muse on and while Muse themselves, may still sell out stadiums in 2033, others may need to join the panel of the X Factor just to get some recognition.