90's Sighting: Martin in Mr. Big

It's no secret that I've begun my journey of musical knowledge in my twenties instead of my teens. I kept a pretty tight leash on what I listened to and liked when I was young, and consequently missed out on a lot of things that would have made me cool back in the day. Let it be known that "back in the day" for me means the early 2000s, instead of what I wish I could say were the 1970s or 80s. If that had been the case, I would have been around for this.

Mr. Big. One of those fantastic 80s hair bands of which the most frequently asked question is "Is that a dude or a girl?" because, yes: dude looks like a lady. I'm not ashamed to say it's their confidence in drawing the thinnest line between gender norms that makes people like Eric Martin attractive. His raspy, soul-influenced voice just adds another layer to his adorable, gangly charm. Arguably their most popular song, "To Be With You" is a standardized, anthemic power ballad with simple-enough lyrics and a catchy chorus, so deftly aggregated as a stereotypical pop hit that it's almost surprising to learn it was written by a lovelorn fifteen-year-old head over heels for an unattainable high school senior. Wise beyond his years, this one.

Unfortunate coincidence that the bassist just looks like a Fred Armisen sketch gone wrong, but who's to judge an 80s rockstar?