The world of music surrounds us. I’m 13, with my own tastes and a 13 year-old’s perspective. But I also know music has changed over time, and I thought it would be interesting to see what people were listening to when they were my age.

So, in this edition of “PaddySmack,” I asked a few people around town a simple question. What were you listening to when you were my age? Here’s what they said:

Cameron Clark

Cameron Clark, 18 year-old senior at North Mecklenburg High School – “Hells Bells” by ACDC – “When I was in 7th grade (2005) I thought that the only music that was really worth listening to was classic rock.”

Betsy Lyles, 21 year-old Davidson College Senior and my former babysitter – “Independent Woman” by Destiny’s Child – “Beyonce makes this song very easy to dance to.” If you know Betsy, she is a very “Independent Woman!” She was 13 in 2002.

Rusty Knox

Rusty Knox, 53 Leader of The Rusty Knox Band – “Dolly Dagger” by Jimi Hendrix- “This song inspired my entire musical career. To this day it is the ringtone on my phone.” He was 13 in 1971.

Adam Cosgrove, 14 – North Meck Soccer 96 Red Midfielder and Davidson Day student – “The Scientist” by Coldplay – “So often nowadays people are putting out albums just to get them out there but Coldplay makes their albums as good as they can be and then consider whether they are ready to go out.”

Leland Park

Leland Park, 69, Director Emeritus of Davidson College’s library – “That’s Alright”- Elvis Presley with Scotty and Bill – “I liked this song because it was a fun tune to dance to.” He was 13 in 1954 I spent part of a snow-day afternoon over at Dr. Park’s house talking about all kinds of music. As a historian and former Librarian at Davidson College, Dr. Park really knew his stuff.

Ava Spencer, former First Lady of Davidson College – She was 13 in 1938 liked songs such as “Night and Day” and “Chattanooga Choo Choo” because she could relate to them – in fact, the train in “Chattanooga Choo Choo” went through her hometown. She said most young people were listening to Big Bands and Jitterbug music when she was 13.

Thomas "T" Marsh

Thomas Marsh (more commonly known as “T”), 35, barber and local raconteur – “Beat it” by Micheal Jackson- “I remember dancing to it in my 5th grade talent show along with ‘Thriller.'” He was 13 in 1984.

David Beam

David Beam, 30 – “Pennyroyal Tea” by Kurt Cobain and Nirvana. Those who know David, Senior Ranking Barista at Summit Coffee, know that his style of music tends to Reggae these days, but when he was thirteen he was a fan of good hard rock.

WHAT ABOUT PADDY?

From what I can tell, all these choices were some of the better songs of the 20th and 21st centuries. As for me, although I have the better part of the year left to be 13, my favorite so far would be “Not Afraid” by Eminem. It may not end up as the best song of the year but it is a very good one.

I enjoyed interviewing these good Davidsonians for this column and I am already working on the next subject for Davidsonnews.net. So, don’t be surprised if I come up to you soon and PaddySmack you!!

PREVIOUS COLUMN

Paddy’s first column in this series appeared Jan. 4, 2011, on our Sports page, “Curry, Wildcat hoopsters offer resolutions for 2011.”