Eskil
Legendary Contributor
EPIC CONTRIBUTOR
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Speedway Pass
Well, the term is mostly used when that someone (like a band) changes their ways or style radically - in order to please a different crowd or demographic for the sake of favoring money over fan or follower loyalty.
A prime (and to me, sad) example from the music industry is Metallica.
They originally were an incredible band that really stood out with their technical musical abilities, speed metal songwriting, and their own very distinct sound. They first released 4 albums that their fans deeply loved and treasured. Because every album delivered on that same promise. It is what was expected. And the fans absolutely loved it. Yet - the band was still not at all mainstream, and their hardcore fans preferred it that way. Some may have said things like "these guys are underrated and deserve more attention", but they really should have been careful what they wished for...
Then, Metallica all the sudden did a 180, decided to switch musical gears completely, and turned toward the radio-friendly mainstream, and onto MTV. Gone were the speeding riffs, gone was the raw drive and sound from the first four albums (don't get me wrong, the Black album technically sounds better from a production point of view than the first 4 but that is besides the point). Gone was the long hair and the heavy metal style lyrics and antics.
They in essence, had "sold out". They had pretty much abandoned the majority of their loyal fanbase in favor of more profits and commercial success. Now, from a business perspective - they did ALL the right things. They went totally fastlane. Good for them. So for that, I have to give them tons of credit. But of course - the original fans are left with a different impression, feeling abandoned, and that their idols 'sold out'.
Now - I don't know about your personal situation - but what do you think you have done or changed that make people say this? You're not a band I assume, so I take it this has to do with maybe giving up your career in favor of pursuing the fastlane? If so, don't listen to the naysayers..
A prime (and to me, sad) example from the music industry is Metallica.
They originally were an incredible band that really stood out with their technical musical abilities, speed metal songwriting, and their own very distinct sound. They first released 4 albums that their fans deeply loved and treasured. Because every album delivered on that same promise. It is what was expected. And the fans absolutely loved it. Yet - the band was still not at all mainstream, and their hardcore fans preferred it that way. Some may have said things like "these guys are underrated and deserve more attention", but they really should have been careful what they wished for...
Then, Metallica all the sudden did a 180, decided to switch musical gears completely, and turned toward the radio-friendly mainstream, and onto MTV. Gone were the speeding riffs, gone was the raw drive and sound from the first four albums (don't get me wrong, the Black album technically sounds better from a production point of view than the first 4 but that is besides the point). Gone was the long hair and the heavy metal style lyrics and antics.
They in essence, had "sold out". They had pretty much abandoned the majority of their loyal fanbase in favor of more profits and commercial success. Now, from a business perspective - they did ALL the right things. They went totally fastlane. Good for them. So for that, I have to give them tons of credit. But of course - the original fans are left with a different impression, feeling abandoned, and that their idols 'sold out'.
Now - I don't know about your personal situation - but what do you think you have done or changed that make people say this? You're not a band I assume, so I take it this has to do with maybe giving up your career in favor of pursuing the fastlane? If so, don't listen to the naysayers..
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