In the words of Lester Bangs (via Almost Famous): “The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you’re uncool.”
Exhibit A: Hanson.
Exhibit A
At the end of 8th grade, I bought a Hanson CD and rocked out to Mmmbop and some heart wrenching song about a yearbook all summer long. Until I started high school.
Once I learned that bubblegum pop performed by three longhaired brothers wasn’t so cool, I hid the evidence. I hid it so well, in fact, that it didn’t resurface until a few years later when my snooping cousin made an embarrassing discovery.
That was The Night Hanson Died. All it took was a lighter, a dose of shame and a little teen angst to establish a new truth: Hanson Sucks. Rather than destroy the CD completely, we burned it. Cracked it. Scarred it. What remained was a singed trophy proving my allegiance to all things cool and hatred of all things pop.
I rediscovered this record of rebellion last summer while pilfering through some forgotten drawers. It was one of the most sobering moments I’ve had in a while, so I keep Hanson around for future discovery.
Because sometimes you need a reminder, no matter how small, of just how uncool you can be.
You need to frame that. Seriously, do it. I love the story behind it!