For those unfortunates whose musical taste tends toward the aural equivalent of marshmallow Peeps, bad news: Blender goads us once again with its list of Read the full post.
Jul 13
2006
01:39 PM ET
The world's wussiest rockers?
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“Hey There Lonley Girl, you are right it was Eddie Holman, but New Edition did not write the lyrics. That would not have made any sense because they were either born or toddlers when the song was on the charts back in 1970. The real authors were: Earl Shuman and Leon Carr. And here is a little history behind it: The actual song that they wrote was called “Hey There Lonley Boy” and it was performed by Ruby and the Romantics (1963). Robert John (Sad Eyes) also a whimpy rocker,covered the song in 1980.”
Robert John was the one I was trying to remember. Thanks, Stephanie.
Yeah, but we are talking about “Rock”. I love James Taylor myself, but realisticly, would you put Taylor in the same category as AC/DC or Kiss? No, you’d put him in the same category as ABBA, pop adult contemp. And ABBA was clearly a great energetic folk pop band, not rock.
You are very welcome DM.
Oh for hell’s bells.
Chris Martin at Number 9? Sensitive guy, sure. His latest single finds him imploring to someone “Let’s talk” over and over and that’s not exactly well-trodden ground for a male rocker to cover…but I don’t think Coldplay are wussy.
Where’s James Blount in this mess?
Probably in the same category with Matt Pond P.A. and Charlie Mars who are good, but not rock. Although it is not defined I will say that the category would be alterfolk; College indie stuff. Too bad, because college rock was a lot better with Husker Du and They Might Be Giants. BTW: leave Coldplay out of this.
Hardly would I consider James Blount to rock…he’s apparently now more interested in herding donkeys or something anyways, but this list is a mess where the definition of rock music is largely ignored, and where people like James Taylor and Nick Lachey and Kenny G (!!) are thrown together.
So if it’s just about wuusy bands, where are Air Supply? I can think of much more wussy music than this guy has listed (like Air Supply) and yes, I know it’s not rock. It’s the writer’s fault for throwing musicians he thinks are wussy under the umbrella of rock, which is not nearly as big as he thinks it is, apparently. Hilary Duff! Meh.
If he wants to go for wussy *rock* acts, and if wussy=whiny, why not Radiohead? I know they are much loved, but like Paul U. and his vote for John Mayer, I never really understood Radiohead. There are sone songs I do honestly like but most of the time Thom Yorke sounds like he is whining.
Yorke is supposed to sound whinny as does Robert Smith, but they are sad and angry not whimpy. Anger is an essential part of alt-rock.
These kinds of lists are so rude! We have really become mean-spirited. How easy it is for Blender Magazine writers to sit behind a computer and come up with the list. It’s much harder to be brave and express your creative side publicly. I’m willing to guess that many of the Blender writers look like wusses!
Here are some whimpy suggestions:
Rascal Flatts
Lonestar
Rita Coolidge
Sheena Easton
Ann Murray
Jennifer Warrens
Debbie Gibbson
Tiffany
New Kids On the Block
LFO
Howie Day
Blow Monkees (even if “Diggin’ Your Scene” was a decent song)
Kajagoogoo
Sade
Enya
Paula Cole
Jewel
Robert Smith and Thom Yorke don’t sound angry when they sing. Trent Reznor? Angry. Kurt Cobain? Angry. Zach de la Rocha? Angry. I admit I don’t pay attention to their lyrics, but the way Thom Yorke sings makes me feel he is sad and resigned to his moods, and that’s a pretty wimpy way to sound if you ask me. Now whether he is actually lyrics about that, I wouldn’t know, but it’s just the way he SOUNDS when he’s singing that made me think of him when the idea to list wuss rockers came up. It’s the whine in his voice.
Michael Stipe?
If you are talking about nerdy and gawky, ok Stipe, Smith, Yorke, Morrissey, and Moby. But still they are a lot better than Air Supply,and Barry Manilow.
As far as you calling James Taylor a “wuss”….apparently you have not truly listened to his songs. He helps people in a way you cannot (Obviously)possibly understand. He writes about his troubles….point taken…but he also makes us truly think about our own and in that way he helps us. To the thousands of people that listen to him and he helps us….I thank him. One last thing Enda…….you should really and truly try and listen to him sometime.
C’mon… this list is meaningless without REO Speedwagon.
I’m howling in laughter. Blender magazine considers Taylor Hicks such a wuss that even Clay Aitken could whoop his ass. LMAO Go Aitken!
Most of you could only wish to have half the talent of Journey and REO Speed Wagon. Jealously is an ugly emotion that only eats away at your soul.