This morning, the young, English-Irish boy-band, One Direction was on the Today Show. This is why I sang, “What Makes You Beautiful” roughly 5,000 times today. Send help.
I’m not necessarily a big fan, but they have catchy tunes and I had the show on behind me as I worked. I couldn’t help but hear the screaming. Their demographic is decidedly high-pitched.
I don’t know why young girls make shrill sounds to prove their affection, but it’s certainly nothing new. I did the same thing for Rick Springfield, Jack Wagner, and later John Stamos; which says more about General Hospital’s casting than it does about music.
Girls scream, weep, and reach their arms out to the performer and, if touched, vow not to wash their hand forever. Have you ever seen me with soap on my left hand? That’s because I’ve been Jessie’s Girl since 1982.
Of course, the yelling isn’t just limited to the fans of male singers. I once took my daughter to a Hannah Montana concert (this was before anyone knew her as Miley) and after listening to 18,000 fans greet the band, my ears rang for days. I’m pretty sure Taylor Swift wears her hair long to hide her earplugs.
So, what say you? Is this a right-of-passage for all young girls or should we be telling our daughters that screaming and crying over someone you don’t know is kind of ridiculous – because it is, you know?
But, for the record, screaming on a roller coaster is TOTALLY legit.
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Ginger Kay
I’m a quiet person by nature. Screaming is something I never understood. Doesn’t it leave you with a sore throat? A headache? (I’m even quiet on roller coasters.)
Momo Fali
Quiet on roller coasters? I can’t imagine! If my daughter’s class is any indication, they like to lose their voice as a sign that they screamed THAT HARD.
tara
I definitely scream on roller coasters! Not making ANY noise? That’s crazy! I have a friend that just giggles on roller coasters. It’s pretty funny.
Hmmm…I get that screaming and crying over someone you don’t know is ridiculous, especially at an airport or something.
But going to see a band and not screaming/cheering would be totally weird and robotic. And anything that makes you excited is a good thing, right?
Arnebya
I could never be quiet on a roller coaster. I couldn’t be quiet in the 80s in the front row of a New Edition concert either. (And yes, we should be telling them about the idiocy of screaming over musicians but it’s an understandable excitement. I figure as long as their drawers are still on when they leave, it’s ok).
Mama D
It is ridiculous, but try convincing any tween girl of that! Rite of passage. 🙂
Shannon
My first response is to say yes, ridiculous. But, even now, at the age of 39, if President Obama or Oprah or Dolly Parton walked into the room, I’d have a hard time not letting out a little squeal and a few tears.
And I thought I was Jessie’s Girl.
Toni
Back Street Boys “For My Girls” (Tee Hee) XO Toni
Rhea
I have boys, and they don’t generally scream over bands or movies or cute movie stars … but my nieces are another matter. Yes, it’s silly, but I’m not sure it’s preventable.
I’d invest in ear plugs if I had girls.
Amie
Screaming on roller coasters keeps you from throwing up or hyperventilating. Perhaps screaming at concerts serves a similar purpose?
meleahrebeccah
And did you know those girls were camped out for FOUR DAYS to see them?
You couldn’t PAY me to camp out for four days like that, unless by camped out you really mean the best suite at The Plaza Hotel.
Also, why IS the Today Show on ALL DAMN DAY?
PS: “Have you ever seen me with soap on my left hand? That’s because I’ve been Jessie’s Girl since 1982” That cracked me up!