Something Appropriate

What makes you a sell-out?

A certain other person I am rather fond of likes 'The O.C.'. I don't have cable, nor have I ever watched any of the Teen Melodramas that are so popular. What disturbed me was the use of Phantom Planet's "California" as the theme song. I'll admit i knew this, but it never really meant anything until i stopped to think about it. I recall when "The Guest" came out, as I was in college and was enjoying the whole SoCal scene at the time. I liked "California" because it had an interesting structure and terrific, full-song crescendo. And in the video one of the guys brushes his teeth and then rinses his mouth out with Jack Daniels and I recall being amused by that. Point being — a year later the song is picked for the theme of a show many people completely detest, "The O.C.". Does that make them sell-outs? They're exposure just shot through the roof, and of course they had no idea how big of a success the show would be. The question is, at what point are you a sell-out because of what you are associated with? "Romeo + Juliet" (the one with Leo and Claire) was pretty edgy, but was well received and popular with the young crowd. But Radiohead lost nothing by contributing the most popular song of the soundtrack "Talk Show Host" R.E.M.'s "Stand" was used in a "Get a Life", an early '90s sitcom. But there was still no talk about them selling out. Of course, I recall Paula Cole being semi-respected at one point before "Dawson's Creek". So who knows. It's a doubled edged sword. Would you rather be cut by obscurity or over-exposure. Most take their chances with the later.