Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution
30 minute challenge: How the fashion Icon came to love Rock and Roll
By Sam Cole
Artwork by Jowybean of Deviant Art
Rarity was smiling away the day, letting her needle flow as she crafted a new masterpiece. She was content, her record player softly rolling out her favorite classical track, Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig Van Bethoofin. She smiled as she let the music flow with her. She knew it was an extremely popular piece, but that did not stop it being a good one. This was- SCRATCH!-
“Oh no,” Rarity muttered, letting her magic drop. She rushed over to the machine, and confirmed her growing fear; that the spring on the needle arm gave out, and pulled the sharp device across the record, gouging it horribly.
“Darn it! Not again.” Rarity swore. She hated that all of her work was about to be halted so abruptly, but alas it had to be done.
The bell to the record shop in Ponyville jingled it’s happy tune as Rarity trotted in, a fake smile gracing her lips. She hated that she was here again to fix this record player, but she needed her music. Working in dead silence was not the fashionista’s favorite way to do things.
“Hello dear,” Rarity greeted the store owner, Noteworthy.
“Oh no. Again Rarity?” Noteworthy asked as he spied the record player on Rarity’s back. She offered a nervous smile, and made the poor colt sigh. “I’ll fix it up again. But really Rarity, you should consider just getting a new one.”
“But this is an antique!” Rarity gasped. “My grandmother bought this player when she first moved to Ponyville.”
“I know, I know,” Noteworthy groaned as he examined the machine. “And I’ve been fixing it ever since it seems. But this looks like an easy fix this time, I’ll knock this right out.”
“Thank you darling,” Rarity smiled. “By the way, do you have any Bethoofin records? My favorite one was damaged.”
“Hmm, I don’t know off the top of my head. Hang on,” Noteworthy said. “Vinyl! Come here and help our customer.”
“Geez, I’m coming,” Vinyl Scratch said trotting into the room. “I was just cleaning the back room.”
“It’s alright, just help Rarity here find a new record.”
“Sure thing boss. Right this way Miss Rarity,” Vinyl smiled, leading Rarity to the record section of the store. She showed Rarity the ever diminishing classical section, much to Rarity’s personal dismay. Not only did they not have any Bethoofin, they had really nothing for compositions.
“Oh my, this will not do,” Rarity chided to herself, but loud enough for Vinyl to hear.
“What exactly are you looking for? What style?” Vinyl asked.
“Something dramatic I suppose,” Rarity absently said as she flipped through the records in front of her. “Something, oh I don’t know, powerful. And a symphony or orchestra would be preferable. ”
“Hmm, hey, I think I have something like that, hang on please,” Vinyl said, wondering off to find a new record. She returned a minute later carrying a record that Rarity didn’t recognise. “Here ya go Miss.”
“Hmm, the band of Discord as they played live with the Canterlot Symphony Orchestra? I’ve never heard of this Discord band. Are they new?”
“Not really, they’re about 30 years old now,” Vinyl shrugged.
“Well, it looks rather interesting, and I do love the Symphonies works. Oh why not,” Rarity giggled. She happily took the record and her now fixed player back home, ready to finish her latest masterpiece.
Back home, Rarity let the repaired needle drop onto her new record, and smiled as she heard the tell tale sounds of the orchestra warming up. She cantered over to her sewing machine, just in time to hear the music start. It was a little brash, but in a wholly pleasant way, as if the band wanted you to feel the power of their song to come. Rarity could not place the style, but it was so exciting, so fresh. That string work sounded Arabian, and the brass, rising to meet the drums was superb.
“My word, this is rather catchy,” Rarity giggled. “That Vinyl girl did a very good job.” Rarity listened gleefully as the pitch rose, till the lyrics came. “A ballade? Oh how delightful.”
/And the road becomes my bride
I have stripped of all but pride
So in her I do confide
And she keeps me satisfied
Gives me all I need
And with dust in throat I crave
Only knowledge will I save
To the game you stay a slave
Roamer, wanderer
Nomad, vagabond
Call me what you will/
“What was that now?” Rarity asked, realizing what had just been said.
/But I'll take my time anywhere
Free to speak my mind anywhere
And I'll redefine anywhere
Anywhere I roam
Where I lay my head is home
(And the earth becomes my throne)
And the earth becomes my throne
I adapt to the unknown
Under wandering stars I've grown
By myself but not alone
I ask no one
And my ties are severed clean
Less I have the more I gain
Off the beaten path I reign
Roamer, wanderer
Nomad, vagabond
Call me what you will/
“My word,” Rarity gasped, “This is that rock and roll Rainbow Dash loves so much. Oh how embarrassing.” Rarity was ready to stop the record and return it, but for some reason, though she claimed to be above this ruffian nonsense, she found herself to be enjoying the music. It was no small feat to have an entire orchestra play along with your music, but to have it fit so well together? This was something else, Rarity was sure. So she put her head down, and slowly let the music win her over.
“I’m not opposed to new things every once in awhile. I guess I should give it an honest try at least. That is only fair.”
“Anywhere I roam,” Rarity muttered under her breath as she worked, swaying to the beat of the record. It had ended, and to Rarity’s own shock, she instantly restarted the album, from the very beginning no less. She was in love with the power this Discord used, loved all that she heard from them. Her favorite of the first play had been the one No Leaf Clover, if Rarity had read the album sleeve correctly. She was bobbing her head and swaying her hips to the beat, and letting the power of the music move her designs. She was crafting new dresses, that spoke with more authority than flash, and did they ever look fabulous.
The next day found Rarity back at the record shop, guiltily trying to sneak into the rock and roll section. But a watchful owner soon stopped her.
“Back again Miss Rarity? Did you forget something yesterday?” Noteworthy inquired with his kind smile.
“Oh my yes. I um, forgot my father’s birthday is coming up,” Rarity lied, hoping he would buy it.
“Oh, Mag’s birthday is coming up? Well, you came to the right place. Here,” Noteworthy said as he grabbed a record and passed it to Rarity. “He loves this band.”
“Journey: Don’t stop Believin?” Rarity read the title. “I guess I’ll take this. Also, Miss Scratch yesterday showed my a lovely album by the Canterlot Symphony. Do you have anymore of those works?”
“Hmm, I’m not sure. Here, I’ll help you find some,” Noteworthy offered.
“Oh my, that is quite alright darling,” Rarity dismissed. “I don’t mind browsing a little.”
“All right. I’ll have Vinyl ring you up when you’re done.”
“Thank you darling,” Rarity smiled as he walked off, and let her return to trying to find more of that music she fell in love with last night. She picked up a few records, by varying artists. Another Discord album, the self titled one at that. The next was by Foreigner, and though Rarity knew nothing of the band, she felt it was calling to her. Lastly she had picked Bon Jovi, Slippery when Wet. She felt this embarrassment was enough, and was ready to slip back into her home, and let her new world of discovery begin.
“Gonna be a Juke Box Hero!” Rarity sang that night in the shower, dancing away as the record played again. She had not stopped playing them all since she got home, finding each and every one to be a masterpiece. She loved the power of Discord. The flow of Journey and their piano skills. The conviction of Bon Jovi. And just the ease of which she could slip into any of Foreigner’s works was simply to die for. “Got stars in his eyes! Gonna be A Juke Box Hero!”
All in all, she loved this music, and cursed herself for not exploring it sooner. How much good music had she missed out on because of this? It was a crime, truly. From now on, Rarity knew the answer, it was to let there be rock.
Rarity had a hunger now, a craving. She needed some new music. It was intoxicating, invigorating. It made her feel as if life itself was all about her, and had nothing to say to her all at once. Rarity had no words for how the music made her feel, but by Celestia, did she love it. She needed a new record, and cursed the fact that there was only one such store in Ponyville.
“Hello again Miss Rarity,” Noteworthy exclaimed as Rarity came in. “You must have found some great new piece by the Canterlot Symphony. You've been here three days in a row now.”
“As if,” Vinyl laughed. “I hooked her up with Discord S&M.”
“Vinyl!” Rarity shrieked, though the damage was done.
“You listen to Discord!?” Noteworthy exclaimed, the news like a ton of bricks for the old friend of Rarity’s.
“Vinyl! How rude! You should never retell a lady’s private purchases,” Rarity shot back, though her scolding did nothing to stop the clerk’s laughter at this point.
“I knew you would love it. Please tell me you love Iron Mare! Or Black Sabbath!”
“Vinyl,” Noteworthy snorted. The disk jockey was smart enough to not push her envelope with him at least.
“Sorry Rarity...”
“It’s alright Vinyl, and thank you Noteworthy,” Rarity sighed, her world unraveling. “Oh you must think I’m just some hooligan now...”
“No, I don’t Rarity,” Noteworthy smiled as Vinyl nodded. “So you found a whole new kind of music? I think that’s wonderful. That’s the best part of working here is watching somepony find a record they never knew existed, but fall madly in love with.”
“I- Thank you Noteworthy, Vinyl,” Rarity smiled. “But please, don’t tell the others...”
“No,” Vinyl deadpanned.
“Why?”
“Because Rarity, you are the only one that cares that you like Rock and Roll. So you need to be honest and just admit it.”
“I- I can’t,” Rarity managed.
“Repeat after me. I am Rarity, and I love Rock and Roll,” Noteworthy suggested.Though he was the quieter of the two record sellers, he still knew the right thing to do, just admit to the love of music.
“I am Rarity, and I mumble mumble.”
“Louder.” Both Vinyl and Noteworthy said.
“I’m Rarity and I like Rock and Roll.”
“Like you mean it,” Noteworthy ordered.
“I am Rarity, and I like Rock and Roll.”
“Come on Rarity, don’t be scared. It’s just music,” Vinyl shrugged.
“Just music?” Rarity gasped. “How can you, the mare who first introduced me to the band, ever say such things about the powerful tunes of Discord!? Or the moving rhythm of Journey?! No Miss Scratch, this is not just music! This is art and power and love given sound! This is a gift!”
“So what do you have to say now Rarity?” Vinyl smiled.
“I Am Rarity! And I Love Rock and Roll! Thank you Miss, you have opened my eyes to such glorious musics, and I am in your debt for it.”
“Don’t sweat it. Just keep rockin, and we’ll be just fine.” Vinyl smiled. “Here, I have a few new ones in stock I think you will love.”
Rarity was content, sitting at her desk today as her new record spun around. This time she had Discord, Ride the Lightning in her player. The song, The Call of Ktulu, and she let it’s riffs carry her pen through writing a letter.
“Dear Princess Celestia,” Rarity said aloud as she wrote. “Recently, I learned a valuable lesson, about myself. I found that I am in love, with the music of Rock and Roll. I never let myself explore because of my stereotypes against those who played the music, but I was wrong. I have found that I love this music, and regret that I was so narrow minded. In the words of AC/DC, Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution. Your faithful subject, Rarity.”
