|
|
Post by melliemom on Mar 28, 2013 10:45:30 GMT -5
Slooooowww day. Can I take this break to recognize one of the things that seemed taboo to discuss in the wake of WAG afterglow?-- Adam's recent popjustice twitter conversation. I put most of it in paragraph form: "I just wish there was a subgenre called "SINGING" where we could be ranked and judged based on some talent meter. Pop will always seem like a high school popularity contest and I will always b the drama geek-Singing his face off. Then there's the philosophy: dont hate the players-hate the game. So popularity contest it is. Let's all play the game. Game of thrones. I just want you to sign my yearbook. I want u all to sign my yearbook. So I feel validated." These are all things we have discussed. Many of us are frustrated when the mediocre talent gets the accolades and Adam gets overlooked-- it's unjust. But what is new here is that now we know he feels it too. He is often called angelic because he never has a bad thing to say about another artist or his level of success. Even his fans are jumped on if they express too much "angst". But if we always paint a rosy picture then it's an incomplete, less honest story--it's not how we are feeling all the time, and it is not how Adam is feeling all the time. Another thing we have discussed is how much Adam has conquered his self esteem issues. He has said previously that he struggles every day with it but because his self confidence is so evident on camera we sometimes forget that complete picture. I don't know about you but these words of his are still burning a hole in my heart: "so I can feel validated."..... I completely feel how you do. I love him and I know he is and will continue to be successful but that kind of vulnerability does not go away ironically, even with success! How many super successful people are always worried about next year, next album. It is in his "DNA" or in my vernacular, destiny to have this paradox. So many of us do but play it on a way smaller stage. Should he be the super pop star he wants to be, the validation would be great but ephemeral Then the reality of the next album, the next hit - will I stay on top hits him. However, Adam does have the grace of the balancing side of all this. He is wise and understands life. Though he would like it otherwise, he is also a philosopher and understands reality. Hopefully he will get to enjoy the paradox of having it all and dealing with the aftermath of what that is like but he has it pretty darn good as it is. In the long run, I bet Adam would trade being a dysfunctional pop super star for one who has world wide acclaimed for his voice and persona, a great relationship, adoring fans, financial security but not in the top tier club in the US pop scene. Thank you Theo.. Your words make so much sense. I would like to add that Adam is a great ambassador of good will and acceptance around the world,as noted by others, and that he has become a well known activist for gay rights. His legacy IMHO,will be that of a great singer/entertainer who also helped the gay civil rights movement, starting with a single public man on man kiss,which was like a shot heard around the world.Adam ,hopefully, will get to the point of giving himself the acceptance and love he so wants from others in the music business.The fame part can be so fleeting.. one day you're up ,the next day you're down. |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Location:
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2013 10:59:14 GMT -5
Slooooowww day. Can I take this break to recognize one of the things that seemed taboo to discuss in the wake of WAG afterglow?-- Adam's recent popjustice twitter conversation. I put most of it in paragraph form: "I just wish there was a subgenre called "SINGING" where we could be ranked and judged based on some talent meter. Pop will always seem like a high school popularity contest and I will always b the drama geek-Singing his face off. Then there's the philosophy: dont hate the players-hate the game. So popularity contest it is. Let's all play the game. Game of thrones. I just want you to sign my yearbook. I want u all to sign my yearbook. So I feel validated." These are all things we have discussed. Many of us are frustrated when the mediocre talent gets the accolades and Adam gets overlooked-- it's unjust. But what is new here is that now we know he feels it too. He is often called angelic because he never has a bad thing to say about another artist or his level of success. Even his fans are jumped on if they express too much "angst". But if we always paint a rosy picture then it's an incomplete, less honest story--it's not how we are feeling all the time, and it is not how Adam is feeling all the time. Another thing we have discussed is how much Adam has conquered his self esteem issues. He has said previously that he struggles every day with it but because his self confidence is so evident on camera we sometimes forget that complete picture. I don't know about you but these words of his are still burning a hole in my heart: "so I can feel validated."..... Oh Kay, You too? This hurt so bad for me. I actually questioned my sanity it upset me so much.. I mean how committed am I to this man that I could not sleep, could not post for days. This comment from Pop Justice, to me, should accompany the quotes from Adam's twitter. "Popjustice @popjustice 23 Mar @shoshannastone I think people find him overcomplicated so a title that looked less "LOOK AT ME" would have worked better" Like, seriously?!?!? Those words just burn. And to have Adam open his vulnerability to the twitter world about how it feels to be so damn good at singing, yet still feel like a high school outsider. AHHHHHHHHHHH. I hate this . I hope this doesn't tie into his "surrender " comments., and he compromises who he wants to be . Art is about change. Why does the pop world want copy cat sheep? And the conversation goes on that suggests he should wait until he has a couple of hits to "unleash the beast". Obviously this comment stung, and stuck with Adam.. do you find it coincidental he tweeted those very words to David about the lap dance video? AAHHHHHHHHHHHHH again. I must say though, that this Vienna invite is so perfect. So validating. Maybe that Facebook slip was not a slip as it followed this conversation. |
|
JazzRocks
Member
The Crazy Train is Ready to Roll!
Posts: 4,280
Location:
|
Post by JazzRocks on Mar 28, 2013 11:09:44 GMT -5
I don't have much to add except to say that I can relate to the last few posts. I felt pretty much the same (except I didn't actually lose sleep over it).  I doubt it will ever be easy for him the way it has been for some artists. Maybe it's better if it isn't? I don't know, but I do know that if it all came easy to him (radio, sales, TV appearances, etc) I doubt I would feel the dedication and the passion to the extent I do now. I truly believe the struggle in the US will ease for era 3 but, again, it probably still won't be easy. So - GET READY!!!!
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Location:
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2013 11:11:02 GMT -5
He is wise and understands life......he is also a philosopher and understands reality. ^^^These words really stood out to me. Thank goodness he has such depth and balance to carry on an inner-dialog. He really is remarkable in so many ways. I wanted to add how impressive it is that he expresses these feelings to us, his 1.9 million twitter followers and the world. So brave and honest. It takes some level of confidence to admit your insecurities. |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Location:
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2013 11:11:37 GMT -5
Now I am worked up again, and must go do something serenity -wise.
|
|
irish1139
Member
Enter your message here...
Posts: 1,872
Location:
|
Post by irish1139 on Mar 28, 2013 11:27:42 GMT -5
I felt the same way you gals did from the Popjustice article. I thought it was rather cruel and snide. I hurt for Adam. Then I thought to myself and wanted to say to Adam in response to his comments: Doesn't the love of your worldwide fans (and us in the US) validate you? When more people love you so hysterically, will that finally validate you. I can't love this man anymore than I do.
The "look at me" comment was really below the belt. That is what I love about the album. It is Adam's truth and his life as he sees it. Maybe there was too much emotion and the writer is one of those "feel nothing" people afaid to show any vulnerability. Lord knows, there are enough of those people out there. I finally disregarded the whole article and realized the writer really misunderstood what Adam was trying to do and say in his album. I just chalked that article up to someone who will never be a fan. Adam should have done the same thing.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Location:
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2013 11:32:46 GMT -5
sandy, I agree with everything you said.
If the unleash the beast comment was connected then it is only confirmation that he will not hold back. And, really, when has he ever?
Regarding era 3. There are many directions he could go from trying to break pop again to recording a f'ing xmas album, and everything in between. To me the question is, how much, if any, is he conceding the fight? It sure sounds like he still wants to play the game (ie go for popularity). The other question is, what direction are others advising him to take?
So, to put it in high school terms, will he start wearing Banana Republic when he really wants to wear make-up? (or did he already try that this era?) Or will he not say he is gay, but not really act otherwise? Or will he stick to what he does best, drama club and choir, and keep hoping to be noticed? Will he make out with BJ because it is better than nothing and stepping stone? Or maybe high school is farther behind him than he realizes. ( not sure any of that translated but it was fun to write! )
|
|
|
|
Post by 4Ms on Mar 28, 2013 11:33:07 GMT -5
Slooooowww day. Can I take this break to recognize one of the things that seemed taboo to discuss in the wake of WAG afterglow?-- Adam's recent popjustice twitter conversation. I put most of it in paragraph form: "I just wish there was a subgenre called "SINGING" where we could be ranked and judged based on some talent meter. Pop will always seem like a high school popularity contest and I will always b the drama geek-Singing his face off. Then there's the philosophy: dont hate the players-hate the game. So popularity contest it is. Let's all play the game. Game of thrones. I just want you to sign my yearbook. I want u all to sign my yearbook. So I feel validated." These are all things we have discussed. Many of us are frustrated when the mediocre talent gets the accolades and Adam gets overlooked-- it's unjust. But what is new here is that now we know he feels it too. He is often called angelic because he never has a bad thing to say about another artist or his level of success. Even his fans are jumped on if they express too much "angst". But if we always paint a rosy picture then it's an incomplete, less honest story--it's not how we are feeling all the time, and it is not how Adam is feeling all the time. Another thing we have discussed is how much Adam has conquered his self esteem issues. He has said previously that he struggles every day with it but because his self confidence is so evident on camera we sometimes forget that complete picture. I don't know about you but these words of his are still burning a hole in my heart: "so I can feel validated."..... I can not bring myself to be too concerned over this issue. At times, everyone feels undervalued and unappreciated. It is just a part of the human condition. I have much more sympathy, say, for starving children, single mothers, political prisoners, the wrongly imprisoned, people without healthcare... Let me count just a few of his blessings: Adam was brought up by an involved and loving family. He has a circle of long-time caring friends. He has that one special significant other. He is loved by millions all over the world. He is widely recognized for his unique talent. I've seen more precise statistics, but I'd think Adam is easily in the top 1% of income, not just for singers, but for every profession. He is one of the rare artists that can support himself doing what he loves to do and has been doing so since high school. By every measure I can think of, Adam is a huge success. If he has not achieved every goal he has set for himself, I say that is a good thing. The odds are that he has a long life ahead of himself. |
|
|
|
Post by cassie on Mar 28, 2013 11:56:20 GMT -5
Kay: Count me among those whose heart hurt when reading Adam's comments about high school and the recording industry. It is my impression that behind that sunny disposition and optimistic attitude, Adam had a much harder time in adolescence than he portrays. It seems to come up rather frequently in his interviews, and now tweets.
The fact is that middle school and high school are traumatic times for many folks, and their effects shape the people we become even many years later. While I hurt for Adam, I know he is far from unique in this. Heck, my junior high and high school years were pretty much HELL, except for the music and theater activities (which didn't make me very popular, I can tell you). I am curious how many of us AToppers were the weird kids, the geeks, the outcasts, the ugly ducklings in school. While some people never get over it, for many, the adversity of our teen years makes us fight harder to excel and achieve in life. I suspect that in this diverse group of Adam fans, we would find many who have persevered over bullying, teasing, shunning and isolation to become highly successful and caring adults.
I also know more than a few people who were the "popular" kids in high school, and for whom, nothing else in life has ever come close to equalling that. Having achieved so much "success" so early in life, they didn't seem to have anywhere else to go after high school. In order to preserve their "glory years" they have had to limit their lives to the small circle of influence they had in high school and have never ventured out into the broader world of experiences, challenges, frustrations, and accomplishments that would make them more well-rounded, more evolved, better people.
Do many of us carry the scars of adolescence? I know I do. But, I know I have also soared above that time and those small-minded people, and have accomplished much and made connections with remarkable people like those of you on ATop who have become wonderful, witty, compassionate friends here.
Maybe one of the reasons we respond to in Adam is that we are all among the "walking wounded" who still approach life as "light and liberty" and find our own ways to shine. For me, Adam has been instrumental in me doing that, even at this stage of my life. (At a recent family wedding, my family was amazed/shocked that I got out on the dance floor and shook my booty with abandon. It was fun!)
|
|
|
|
Post by evergreen on Mar 28, 2013 11:56:24 GMT -5
Another thought - I think some people think Adam is wasting his time with pop when he should be using his voice for more serious music. However, he is doing the kind of music he loves right now and, as he said recently, when he is performing on stage, he is performing the music the way he wants to.
How many of us say we will work hard now, doing things we don't really like to do, and really enjoy life sometime in the future? And then regret not doing the thing we really wanted to do? Adam is pretty much living his dream, performing the kind of music he wants to, and has the opportunity to live large and work with some of the most talented people in his industry. With his background I would guess he'll get around to more serious music in the future, but I honestly have to give him credit for doing things his way, as much as is possible given the business he's in.
Of course he knows he's so much better than the other pop stars and he longs to be recognized by all for his talent, but on the whole I believe he knows he's also fortunate to be enjoying the success he has so far, and pretty darn happy to boot. And I think the way he's doing things means he'll continue to grow in popularity (world wide!) and expand the type of music and endeavors he's currently involved in. In thirty years he'll be raking in lifetime achievement awards from all over the place....
So... glass way over half full! And while his comments quoted above made me a little sad, too, those feelings are also drivers for someone like Adam. No angst here. |
|
