What better way to celebrate Father’s Day, which is quickly approaching, than to drive your kids crazy with the ultimate dad rock mix?
Regtransfers, the private number plate company, has created the “Ultimate Dad Rock Driving Playlist for Father’s Day,” a surprising blend of nostalgic but contemporary Spotify songs. Let’s define ‘Dad Rock’ first before we get into the new music that will surprise younger Dads.
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Older generations’ (particularly dads’) favourite music has long been referred to as “dad rock” in this context. It usually consists of classic rock music, which is characterised by guitars, real drumming, and a straightforward rock sound. Every generation always has something negative to say about the music of the one before it, only to have its own tastes become the next “dad rock.” What was once considered bold and daring is now seen with nostalgia.
“Dad rock” is a badge of pride that many fathers—and even grandfathers—have worn, signifying music that has enduring appeal. There is a growing appreciation for dad rock as seen by the rise in popularity of dad rock CDs and playlists. But as dads get older, so does the next generation of “Dad Rock,” which is going to make some dads feel like they’re in the stone age! Here are a some of the most memorable songs from the scary repertoire that are now categorised as “Dad Rock.”
Some Songs You Wouldn’t Have Known Were “Dad Rock”
Even though Limp Bizkit’s “Rollin’ (Air Raid Vehicle)” has been around for more than 20 years, it could appear too modern for dad rock. The inclusion of Blur’s “Song 2” and Green Day’s “American Idiot” in the mix shows that early 2000s hits have become dad rock mainstays.
You may be astonished to hear that songs you used to love, like “Morning Glory” by Oasis or “Can’t Stop” by Red Hot Chilli Peppers, are now considered dad rock. The unexpected selections of “Oh My God” by Kaiser Chiefs and “Stupid Girl” by Garbage show how dad rock’s boundaries have expanded.
Two 2000s hits, “Chelsea Dagger” by The Fratellis and “All the Small Things” by Blink-182, have earned a place in the dad rock hall of fame. The fact that covers of Alien Ant Farm’s “Smooth Criminal” and Sum 41’s “In Too Deep” make the list further evidence that the early 2000s marked a turning point in the development of dad rock.
Even more contemporary songs, such as “Somebody Told Me” by The Killers and “Learn to Fly” by Foo Fighters, have met the requirements. Dad rock classics like ‘This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race’ by Fall Out Boy and ‘Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)’ by The Offspring should not be overlooked.
Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is a timeless classic, while Bowling for Soup’s “The Girl All The Bad Guys Want” is a fun addition. “Numb” by Linkin Park, which shows how dad rock has influenced nu-metal, closes off the set.
Where Did the Name “Dad Rock” Originate?
At first, the term “dad rock” was used to mock older generations’ musical preferences, particularly those of dads who were devoted to bands from the 1970s and 1980s. Imagine a parent telling anybody who would listen, “They just don’t make music like they used to,” while sporting faded jeans and an old tour t-shirt.
Early in the new millennium, music writers and internet forums popularised the phrase “Dad Rock” to describe vintage rock tunes that older males still liked. It was a parody on the idea that your taste in music becomes set in stone at a certain age, generally around 20. Artists like as The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and The Eagles were often at the focus of the “Dad Rock” debate in the 2000s.
But throughout time, the meaning of the phrase changed. For many, what started out as a somewhat derogatory moniker has become a badge of honour. Dads began to embrace the idea and wear their title of “dad rock” like a medal. These were, after all, the songs that embodied their childhood, provided the soundtrack for their carefree years, and thereafter functioned as a comforting background to their family life.
“Dad rock” is charming because it’s transparent. It is not restricted to a certain era or genre. Though it may have started with classic rock in the 1960s and 1970s, it has since spread to include heavy metal in the 1980s, grunge in the 1990s, and even punk in the early 2000s. In short, if you’re old enough to be a parent, the music you listened to as a child is now known as “dad rock.” It’s an evolving goal that changes with each new generation.
The ‘Dad Rock’ reality
Do you remember the music that you used to blast over your Ford Fiesta’s speakers back in the early 2000s? Even if it seems like a distant memory, you’re no longer as young as you thought you were, but what if you accepted that? ‘Dad Rock’?
This Father’s Day, why not utilise the time you spend in your car teaching your kids about the music your father used to like, and the best part? They cannot moan for even a single day!
Note: This is a collaborative post
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