Dad's Weekend: Time to Throwback

For those non-U of I students reading this, let me preface this entry by explaining the chaos of dad's weekend. The fact that the university has to split parents' visits into Dad's Weekend (in the fall) and Mom's Weekend (in the spring) should shed a little light on the fact that these weekends tend to get a little rowdy. Picture it: a bunch of middle-aged men back at college, reliving their glory days as notorious partiers. Whether they're hitting the bars with their children or with each other, the dad's like to have a good time.
Now, you may be thinking, how does a bunch of dad's getting drunk at college relate to music? Well, it does. It brings up the issue of the music the bars decide to bust out that weekend. I doubt these fellas would enjoy hearing about being fly "like a G6" or how Enrique Iglesias "likes it," so what music does dear old dad want to listen to? Personally, my pops tends to be more of a Frank Sinatra/Rat Pack fan, stuck in the glory days of piano bars. But that's not to say that he doesn't enjoy some good dance music. However, his idea of "dance music" is disco hall tunes such as Laura Branigan and Donna Summer.
So how do we bridge the generation gap? I will admit that I do - on occasion - enjoy listening to his tunes, but it's doubtful to say that all of Firehaus (a campus bar) would. One song in particular, Don't Stop Beleivin' by Journey, gathered the attention of the majority of bar-goers. As I belted out the lyrics with my roommate and other friends, my dad tapped my shoulder and asked "Who sings this?" I looked at him incredulously, expecting him to be singing along with me. But it seemed that the only ones singing along were the college students and the younger generation of dads. This raised a question (in my mind) of what "throwback" songs have been played at bars on campus. For out generation, throwbacks might consist of songs by NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, and Spice Girls, all 90's pop music. I can't count the number of times I've heard songs such as "Dirty Pop" by NSYNC or "Faded" by soulDecision played while out and people go nuts. While I can't imagine my dad - or any of the dads out this past weekend - getting excited over some has-been 90's boy band, I am glad that my dad and I share a (rather limited) selection of music that we can enjoy together.