DJ Earworm Mashup - United State of Pop 2018 (Turnin' It Up) - YouTube

The first edition I saw of DJ Earworm’s annual United State of Pop mashup was in 2008. The central song it was built around was Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida,” and I recognized every line pulled from other songs. Since then, one of my favorite parts of December is this video’s release.

It’s funny though that every year I seem to recognize fewer and fewer songs used in the mashup. I wonder if this is something most people experience as they transition from their early 20s to early 30s, or if it’s just my musical tastes changing. I have a feeling it’s the first one, and that’s actually fine by me.

At 21 I didn’t know enough of myself to know what I actually liked. I allowed what was popular to decide that for me. I’ve learned enough in the intervening years to make choices for myself.

It’s either that or I’ve become a curmudgeon who decided what he liked 10 years ago, and hasn’t allowed that to change. 😂