I traveled thousands of miles in my youth listening to Conway Twitty, Ronnie Milsap and Emmylou Harris, among others, crooning from the 8-track stereo system in the back seat of our family station wagon featuring the classy faux wood side panels.

When I finally discovered my peers listening to Top 40 music in my teens in the 1980s, I quickly conformed. And I swore I would one day be the cool mom who still listened to the “in” music after I had kids. Unfortunately for my kids, that only lasted for me until my oldest started school, and she doesn’t even remember those days.

How is it possible that the Top 40 music of each generation just keeps getting crazier? I’m not saying these artists aren’t talented – and they are definitely creative – but the line between creative and weird is incredibly thin. I speak specifically now of Lady GaGa’s performance of her number-one hit “Poker Face” on last Wednesday’s American Idol results show. For those that missed it, you can view it by clicking here. (I’m sorry, but the originator of this video won’t allow it to be embedded.)

Sports Girl informed me during the Idol performance that she has this song on her iPod, and that Lady GaGa must have just cut her hair – it used to be really long. I try to keep from smiling, or even from laughing, as I ask her at the end of the song if the “eye zipper” is a regular part of her costume? (She says it’s not.)

Compare Lady GaGa’s performance to that of Carrie Underwood and Travis Tritt from two weeks ago. Now, I will admit that the black bow in Carrie’s hair is a little weird, but it’s no worse than the black star rising off Lady GaGa’s left shoulder, and it’s certainly much milder than the eye zipper.

I have long prided myself on my ability to enjoy many genres of music, but frankly, these days I prefer country music to most others.

At 13, Sports Girl has started turning the radio dial to the local Top 40 station when we are in the vehicle, and I handle it pretty well, I think. Better than Horse Lover, who at almost 10 still prefers my country station.

I guess that’s the good news – I’ll only really be considered “uncool” for the last five or so of the 18 years my daughters will live at home. Things could be worse – at least I can’t WATCH Lady GaGa while I’m driving my car – not yet, anyway!