What is the greatest dichotomy in popular music?
Some might suggest it’s more cowbell or less cowbell, or should I stay or should I go, or selling out or selling nowt.
But I put it to you that the single question that cleaves le pop is, when confronted with an irresistible dancey groove, whether to “get up” or “get down”.
In this video for the sublime new single by Swedish beatbots Galantis, we observe a quintessential example of the “get up” reaction (although I suspect any TOTP screening of same would necessitate a sober health and safety warning advising not to imitate the behaviour on view).
Where do you stand on the get up/get down dilemma (and do you, in fact, just stand).
And what are pop’s other great dichotomies?
Up v Down and other Pop Dichotomies
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James Brown implored us to get up, get on up. And to stay on the scene.
Kool and The Gang told us to get down on it. They never did define what “it” is though
James Brown, as The Boss, instructed us to get down with your bad self.
Get down with RD’s bad self or with our own bad selves?
He’s a splendid fellow, but I don’t really feel I know RD’s bad self well enough to get down with it.
JB told us he had to jump back and kiss himself.
Clever sod.
JB also wanted us to “get up offa that thing”. I don’t think his “thing” is the same thing as Kool and the Gang’s “it” but if their “it” and his “thing” are one and the same “thing”/”it” (an “itthing” if you like) then we have potentially reached peak pop dichotomy in the get up/get down argument. We may need need to call on the help of particle physicists working with Northern Soul dancers from Wigan Casino at the LHC in Geneva to resolve this particular conundrum.
JB also asked us to “get into it”, which is what I was thinking watching those loons on top of the motor..
Great dichotomies of pop – Part 94: Love or just extend goodwill?
Teddy Pendergrass can’t make his mind up.
Not only is he getting up and getting down, he is also getting funky and getting loose
https://youtu.be/NFNUDZT7Z2E
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
It’s either this or that way
It’s one way or the other
It might be the beginning
It could be near the end
Once GPS became widely available, Enya’s sales dropped dramatically.
George Harrison expresses The bored boyfriend cutting his losses: “within or without you”.
Reminded me of this…
https://www.google.ie/amp/s/entertainment.theonion.com/national-funk-congress-deadlocked-on-get-up-get-down-is-1819565355/amp
Brian Eno said that we had to make the choice between the paw paw negro blowtorch and him.
But who is this blowtorch and why is it such a stark choice? Are these the only two options, or are there alternatives not yet spelled out?
Sly And The Family Stone just want us to Stand
But no-one’s written a song that goes “sit down, sit down” or “sit down on it” have they?
Almost.
REM also have a thing about standing
Strat or Les Paul?
Gretsch
Tele
Agree!
All of the above!
Rickenbacker
Cynthia Plaster
“Is it him or is it me?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGjfxHO3Ivg
Parliament can’t make their mind up and hedge their bets. They want us to get up for the downstroke. That’s not all. When they are cold, they are hot.
This is the definitive paradox.