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June 24, 2008
Double secret hedonism
As part of my ongoing search for the musical roots of modern American hedonism (a search in which I take no pleasure,* mind you), with a start I suddenly remembered "Keep On Dancing" -- a 1965 song by a group named The Gentrys, of all things. As you can see, this was no grungy looking rock group; they wore coats and ties. It's a great song, but do not be deceived. "Gentrified" hedonism is probably one of the most dangerous threats of all.
...the 'paradox of hedonism' is, roughly, the claim that those motivated in favour of pleasure get less of it, and those motivated against pain get more of it.Which means that if you're really into hedonism, you should seek pain and shun pleasure. (A no-win thus becomes a no-lose.) posted by Eric on 06.24.08 at 03:37 PM
Comments
Thanks for the background, Charles -- and for stopping by. You're a genuine music encyclopedia. Eric Scheie · June 25, 2008 07:57 AM Post a comment
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The Wikipedia page on this band states:
"Keep on Dancing" is notable for the fact that it is actually one short recording repeated, to stretch the record out to the length of the typical pop single of its day. The second half of the song - after the false fade, beginning with Wall's famous drum fill - is the same as the first.
This is given a "citation needed" tag, but it's very much true, and to prove it, I once hacked together a 3:40 version of the song which has two full iterations plus the faded-out repeat. It was quite indistinguishable from the single except that it went on for so long.
"Keep On Dancing," incidentally, is a remake of a 1963 R&B single by the Avantis (on Argo). It ran less than two minutes.